The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-06-24

Last Monday the journeymen bricklayers
and masons Of the city inaugurated strike
which, II 1t continues for any length Of time.
must inevitably infiict great degree Of suffer-
ing on Q large number of workingmen and
their families The cause Of the difficulty is
owing to the demand made by the members Of
the bricklayers and masons trades unions
that eight hours shall constitute days work
having been refused. It has for long time
been believed, or at least the belief is asserted
by the trades unionists, that as much work
can be accomplished In eight as was formerly
performed in ten hours. This theory, however,
has yet to be reduced to practice. The combi-
nations Of the journeymen led to like combina-
tons on the part of the employers, and when
the time came for the enforcement Of the eight
hour system the journeymen discovered that
they had more extensive opposition to con-
tend with than they at first anticipated
The time Is not long gone by when the
trades difficulties in England were not
settled without bloodshed. In the min
ing districts of England, few years since,
strikes, and subsequently lock-outs, were of
more general occurrence than at the present
day. These difficulties, originating in . de-
msnd for higher wages, led TO disturbances of
the most grievous nature. Property was de-
stroyed and even valuable lives were lost, both
Of which occurrences arose through the diff
culties between the workmen and their en-
ployers. In many instances It was found
necessary to invoke the aid of the military in
districts where the journeymen on strike
preponderated over those who were not inte-
rested in the difficulty. Of course this state of
things produced an amount of hardship and
suffering upon all classes In Paris, about
three years since, the cab drivers went on
strike against their employers, and 80 arbi-
trary were their demands and 90 insulting was
their behavior, even in the imperial city of
France, where the organizations Of workingmen
are held In such check by the authorities, that
the government found II necessary to interfere
TO prevent outrages being committed. The
recent occurrences In Spain have also told
badly for the organizations Of workingmen.
In Belgium II has been found necessary
W pace WuOA0 ObLICS uuu0r multary
control. Few Of the readers Of the HERALD
are unaware Of the shipjoiners', carpenters
and caulkers' demands about two years ago for
the eight hour system. After DISASTROUS and
prolonged strike Of thirteen weeks the men had
to surrender their claims and 60 10 work ct the
master workmen's terms. The effect Of this
difference between the men and their employers
had q tendency TO drive work from the ship
yards Of this city, and TO this day The business
Of shipbuilding has suffered In consequence.
The bficklayers and masons are now running
into the same error. Proftins nothing by the
experience Of the past they have made de-
mand which they may not be able 70 obtain.
or course this will necessitate the stoppage Of
numbers Of buildings now In course Of erec-
lion, and numerous families will suffer in con-
sequence We're the employers and their
workmen to meet and calmly reason on the
,hanges in trade customs which either party
might deem necessary, and be guided Ivy com
mon sense in their deliberations, we would
nave none of those disastrous occurrences
which periodically disturb the community.