The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1860-03-02
The shocmakcrs' strike Mt Lynn.

Inc movement tsnys tnc DOstoH JourHul VI
Thursday which has recently been set ON foot
among the sheen akers of Lynn, for the pur-
pose of obtaining an advance in the price OF
their labor, eliminated yesterday in q general
strike, which was attended with the must eS-
ng demonstrations ever witnessed in that
city. The city was during the entire day the
theater of O continuous round Of commoton.-
No acts of violence were committed, but the
proceedings were of tumultuous character
A large number Of those engaged In the gener-
nj movement, respectable and honorcd citizens,
while throwing the weight of their influence In
favor of the strike, stood alo0f from the or
ganizcd proceedings of the day, and cannot
therefore be held responsible for the acts of the
majority, who are composed largely OF for
eigners.
In the early part of the day numerous jours
pissed through the square in squads, RETURN
ing their work, some finished, and some still
incomplete, together with their lasts and pat
terms, To the manufacturers. Tho appearance
of each squad was greeted by the crowd oil
strikers as so many accessiOns to their ranks,
and they were cheered in turn as they pass
cd. ..
At about nine O'Clock, Organized bodies OF
strikers entered the square. bearing banners,
and accompanied By drums and flies, snd by
ten o'clock, the railway station, ana all the
streets in the vicinity, were blocked up ny
turbulent yet good natured multitude, who
awaited the arrival of the Band and the leaders
Of the movement, before proceeding to form
the procession.
The strikers have determined that no goods
shall be sent from Lynn until their demands
are acceded to. Several firms have already
agreed to the prices fixed upon by the StriE-
ors, and are consequently manufacturing
goods. r.
Thursday Mt 8 O'Clock there was quc,
crowd of two or three hundred persons Mt the
depot upon the arrival of the train from Bos-
ton.
Members of the Vigilance Committee vert
stationed at the Lynn and Saugus depots IL
prevent the carrying away Of boots and shoes
The strikers ayow a determination to injure nc
property, but merely to prevent boots and
shoes biting carried away.
Mr.. Draper announced that the binders and
machine girls would hold their first meeting to-
night ut Liberty Hall, at O'Clock, to organ
ize for strike.
While this meeting was in progress, row
was going on in the depot. A poor "scab "
by the name of William Eaton, was taking
home basket Of work from Bartlett x Wood
bridge, when he was set upon by the indignant
iours, and was several times hustled through
the depot in the centre Of a noisy mob.
Mr.. Eaton had signed the strikers pledge,
but the necessities of his family urged him to
accept the job ut price not quite up to the
bill of wages, but which was satisfactory to
him.
MIR. Draper asked him IL he could not lie
still month";
Eaton-No, my family are suffering now
am sick with the rheumatic, and have been
nearly killed by the crowd.
Mr. Draper endeavored to persuade the man
To work for the association nj 50 per week.
Mr.. Eaton told him he was earning Sl2 per
week, and required IS to support his family
He claimed the right to elect his own employ
err. .
No compromise was effected. City Marshall
Thurston, who, with others, held the crowd ut
bay, declared the man should 20 to his home.
This was hut the beginning OF the difficulties,
and he should see the citizens protected in
their rights. lie was finally got home safe
iy;. , ,,ri,o. - son, . note to the Lynn Re.
porter promising its editor rough usugc II Inc
threw cold water ON the strike.
There /. paramount right ignored In the
shoemaker's strike, rs inalienablc and as nee
essary to the perpetuity and even the, cxis-
tcncc of society AS the right to live; II Is the
right 10 labor honestly, and To labor unmo.
Tested by any man or body of men. This right
guaranteed by society In the organization OF
government, appears to be wholly forgotten
by the operatives in tue shoe business, who are
busying themselves in the present strike for
higher wages.
There are men and families in all the shoe
manufacturing towns who must work or suffer
they are not bcggars they ask no flyors but
they demand the right to work. These men
and families are to be set upon, and mobbed,
and deprived Of their dearest right, next To
that of life. unless they conform TO terms die
ta,ed by an illegal and dsorlerly combination
of men who have gone 10 the Gillette civilization
of the old world for an example of the method
of conducting our democratic institutions
This must not be and the town that permit
this wrong are untrue to It's functions anu neg
lectfu Of It's highest duty.
LATER REPoRrs.-The exciting scenes were
continued yesterday without cessation. The
square in the vicinity Of the Central Station
was invested all day by an excited multitude OF
strikers, numbering, at times. ut least three
thousand. Good citizens who looked with dis
trust upon the movement in its preliminary
stages, now wore an anxious look.
The Marshal was authorized 10 detail an ex.
ira force of seventy five men, and telegraphed
to Marblehead and Salem for assistance, but re-
ceived answer that they must fight their own
battles.
An attack was made upon an Express wag- |
ON, which was carrying boxes OF shoes 10 the
dcpot-and the driver was prevented from pro- |
ceeding. During the melee an attempt was
made TO stab the City Marshal.
At later hours desperate tight occurred !
between the rioters and number Of Express |
men, who were carrying goods to the depot
in the course Of which several cases were cap
turcd by the crowd.
: The women had meeting and voted to
strike.
On Friday Police was called in from Bos-
ton. and several arrests were made Of the ring
leaders o! the strikers. Several eriempore
meetings were held, and peace measures were
v;sc.l hv all tha .no.L... The shacm akers