The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-04-05
lFor the Daily Press.l
Strike Of tho JOurneymen Cabinet-
Makers.

founded reports finding publicity through the
public prints, with reference to the recent strike
Of oabinet-makors in our city, leading to In
correct conclusions as regards the relative posi-
tion Of employers and the employed, we, man
ufacturers Of furniture, beg leave to define our
position, and briefly state, over our signatures,
the existing differences, and our reasons for
declining to aecede to demands made by the
so-callcd cabinet Makers Protective Union
Of Cineinnati."
We FIRST claim that no concerted action has
over been taken by us 10 reduce prices, each
factory competing with Others that prices must
tend to uniformity, and fully believe that our
workmen have received from as employment
more regular, and better wages, than cabinet
makers in any other portion of the country.
Further, that the earnings of journcymen
cabinet makers will compare favorably with
that of any class Of mechanics in our commu-
nifty.
The question Of wages has not been the
prominent standpoint in this demand; in some
instances no objections were raisod-in others,
differences could be easily reconoiled. The
law of Supply and Demand will regulate the
scale Of prices, and fix 1t on an equitable basis,
but we firmly protest against any interference
in the control or management Of our factories,
and will resist all action Of any Union assum-
ing to dictate rules and regulations for our
understood, we res pectfully submit the follow
ing arbitrary and unreasonable extract from
the resolutions and constitution adopted by the
Union of Cabinet-makers
1st. "In every factory or shop committee
10 to be instituted, whose province 1t Is to reg
| ulate the prices in connection with the other
similar organizations. Such committee to be
acknowledged as the standing committee. Its
! term of office expires with that of the other
| officers Of the society,""
| Art. Sd of Constitution. each cabinet
| maker working in Cincinnati, without reference
to the language he speaks, is obliged to join the
Union on his acknowledging the constitution
(laws,) and assuming the duty to promote the
! interests of the Union"
Art. 9th. "Whenever the owners or mana
gers of workshops refuse to comply with thC
Just demands of workmen, the standing com.
mittee 10 to bo apprised thereof without delay
It is the duty Of such committee, in such case
at once to call for general meeting, and i
necessary, to make arrangements for strike"
| What is by them considered one Of thoir JUS
demands is explained by
Art. 10. "Whenevor member is in arrears
with his monthly dues for more than two
months, his name is Tre5ocabiy stricken from
the list, and he is not to bO suffered to remain il
the Workshop"
Comment is not required to show that th
Union, through the shop committee, desire ful
control of the shop or factory, leeving employ
ers no latitude. If man wants employmen
, he is Obliged TO join tho Union, or, in othe
words, ask the shop committee, not tho EN-
ployer; and no matter how we'll he may pleas
his employer, by his good work, should he dis
: please the shop committee, or neglect to fulf
4 the requirements of the "Union," he IS not su
i | fered 10 remain in the tcorkshop.
Art 10. The leading and chief laws smboC
led in the constitution, can not be altered unot
= any circumstances. ss# ...
We hold that journoymen cabinet make
! have, in common with sll others, the right
! form themselves into societies, adopt constit
: tions, and make laws to regulate their own col
: duct, etc.j but to make laws for men not men
bers of the association, and, by threats al
: oonspiration, coercing them into submissio
\ right or wrong, is, most certainly, unjust; Al
! we will resist all attempts to fasten upon u
or our establishments, such demands, by
lawful means within our reach; and, in sci
y defense, are compelled to declare,
= That, so long as the above resolutions, rul
, or articles form part of the constitution
. said Union, we will not give employment
any member thereof.
|. As we have strong reasons for believing th
'l majority Of the men took no active part
l. forming such arbitrary rules, but were drav
into tho society through impulse, without ha
l. ing an opportunity of examining the deman
l., made by it, we call upon them to act ind
3. pendently, and rs their better judgment d
1. tates, withdraw from the society. PSI
We further hold that strikes are only (if
l. al) justi6able when the workmen actually 8,
NJ fer wrong, and when all other means to Obts
redress have been exhausted. The facts in t
IN case are entirely different; for an Investigate
oil of our books will conclusively demonstrate
y, average ,ra9es of journeymen cabinet-mak
- working less than ten hours per day, to be
per week. We also feel satisfied that ther,
- no class Of mechanics in our city, who, ell
H. the fall of 1857, and during the general pr
" tration Of business, have received more regu
employment or better wages than our wo
t. mon; we, working frequently with full stoc
N, and at serious Inconvenience, rathor than 5
70. pend operations and throw thom out of 9
ployment. r..
:. In conclusion, we may say that were tn
y no subject of difference between us and
workmen but the question of prices, there wo
~ be little difficulty in arriving at u speedy q
90 amicable adjustment, although there is no
w. ing in our business, either present or prosp
De tive, to warrant any material advance in
- prices we have been paying.
~. If the cabinet factories of Cincinnati, by
vantageous location, superior management
.tv aid of machinery, can give regular cmpl
~. ment, and from so to $l2 per weok, instoaC
wv SO or $8 realized in New York aud the Eas
~ certainly shows no cause for n strike, but
A CUES well for the employer and employees,
is- proves, no wrong, much less suffering, exi
me except when incapability or intemperancC
the cause. I.I.-... ..I.
en- JOHNSTON, MEADER a CO.,
o5, MIEpEREgHT a JONES,
Use by john Kelly.
To- j. III. BRUNSWICK a BRO