The New York herald., 1868-03-20
MASS MEETING OF sEAMES.


~~~>~--~~~<~~
Waset Reviewed and a Scale OF Prices
Adopted-Porter Council, No. s, seamen's
Protective Union.
In ls5s-6o-80 the wages OF seamen ranged accord
ing to the character Of the voyages for which they
shipped, from 50 to SIS per m0nlh-few obtaining
the last named price; and when the rebellion began
to rage from almost no quoable figure the price rap
idly rose TO $40 and $780, and even at these wages
men were not to be had for the merchant service,
the navy Offering first class men not only large
prices, good fare, shelter not too much work, but
bounty money and chance 70 handle-should, On .
blockade they be 80 fortunate as to capture vesse
attempting to make port-just q little prize money.
reducing ts naval as we'll land forces large num-
bers OF hrst cinss seamen found themselves
adrift, and the shipping merchants, taking advan-
tage OF their necessities the freight market being
also light, to cut down the hire OF those whom they
employed TO quite and often less than half the
rates that had prevailed while the government was
such competitor for mariners. or course the sea-
men sailing from this port being entirely unorgan-
lied, were compelled to 60 on board and grumble
employment on shore being entirely out Of the qses
tion. Since then these men, who have been aptly
termed "slaves Of the ocean," having found that
strength lay in combination, formed TIVE
u
Seamen's Benevolent Association and Porter COnnci
No. Seamen's Protective Union. The first named
OF these demand from steamships $40 per month and
rati0ns for their MEMBERS and 1t appears get their
terms without dficulty; while those who are
engaged IN vessels are compelled to take just such
hire as shipping agents and shipping merchants are
pleased to give the crews found and put on board OF
sailing craft by them. fa
"The slaves OF the ocean" have found for some
time past that 1t is impossible for them work, say
for $40 per month"; provisions and merchandise OF
every kind selling at almost famine prices To cor.
al n tn hrt spn m n
into accord on the rates which they should demand
for long and short voyages &C., mass meeting,
held at the Shakespeare Hotel yesterday afternoon.
four O'Clock the seamen assembled, about four
looking and seemingly intelligent body-and COM
menced proceedings by calling q person VINO seem
ed TO pc Wen Known e 70 most e James GrsasaG Aen 20
audience as brethren OF the same craft with HIMSELF
closing his remarks for the honor conferred on him
by thanking them, and then giving the names OF the
gentlemen who had been invited to address them
previous to the adoption of q resolution which the
Councu that had called the meeting had presented.
The chairman was followed by four gentlemen,
who severally urged upon their auditors the pro-
prety and the necessity Of resolving upon scale OF
prices under which they could hereafter sail and toll.
Seamen. they contended, were the hardest worked,
poorest served and least paid of any class OF laborers
and who besides were hourly exposed to the perks
OF the deeptO starvation fre, cold heat storm and
jeced to every kind Of hardshps and too frequently
treated If they dogs, and who did not receive
as hire In . single month as much as mechanic
was paid in this city for weeks labor. The men
OF the sea the true missionaries and cvilizers
OF the nations and for their toll and the hardships
they endure ought to receive a recompense worthy
OF their skill and their industry. There was but ono
way, one road open for mariners as for shoremen
to pursue, and that was to combine, relying upon
the faith OF each other, and ask for such
remuneration as in all honesty they could
and ought to command, and, ,., II need be. be.
servants-their fathfa SlaveS-thrOw to them the In
nutritious chalr while they look to themselves and
gathered. Seamen went to every part OF the world
and heaped up riches, not for themselves, but l0r
Others to enjoy, and 1t was full time that some pOr-
tion OF the harvest should be theirs. Do you get
even the wages you are entitled to demanded ono
gentleman to which the assembly empnatcaily re-
tempted the seas he continued, and In the face OF
dangers that would appa the souls OF the men for
whom you labor have looked on the elemental strife,
not knowing at what moment your frail bark might
be swallowed up in the yawning gulf into which u
plunged and although at imminent risk not only OF
health, but life having endured suerngs that, when
told seem incredible. When you bring your shattered
bark 1t may be, with its rich cargo into port you are
not even thanked for the dangers you have run, but
co0lly turned adrift by the owner and perhaps re-
membered no more, except II be to denounce yea
and all OF your class as drunken good for nothing
hounds, to be tyrannzed over and trampled ON witA
impunity
invited to address the assembage the secretary OF
Porter Council rose and read the annexed preamble
and resolution
other workingmen have which and
laborers have NOT endure the heat and The cold The
dangers of the by and by night and whereas they
hnd that rent clothing board and the leading necessities Of
usnd
present rates of compensation, and they therefore
Resolve, hrs That and the LIST of April ensuing
the established Of for OF the port Of
Excepting the Medi,eansan ass per MOUTH with On:
months advance. TO any port in the Medi.er.
ranean, coast OF Africa, coast OF South and
Central America 30 per month and months advanced
Of Cape Cap Horn as per month and two months wage.
vance, and any port coastwise, s3e per month"; half
months pay In advance Secondly, that seamen shall nos
ship vessel from the LIST OF April for wages less than
above scale demands and thirdly that copies OF the
scale be LETT shipping oces scamen1
boarding houses and the council rooms OF seamcn.
Several gentlemen present, m smbers OF the Ocean
Seanens Benevolent Association, insisted that the
wages should be raised 10 $40 per month all round;
but on the matter being fully debated the meeting
concluded that the scale OF prices presented by Porter
Council was wise and just at this time, and unant-
nously adopting 1t, adjourned without day.