The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-11
THE LABOR MOVEMENT.

THE LABOR MOVEMENT.
.~o~o~o~~~~>>~.>~~~>~~~~
Meeting of Master MasOns-They Resolve to
Stand Firm-InterestIng Debates.
The meeting Of the master masons was held yester-
day afternoon usual Mr.. John T. COnOver presid-
ing and Mr.. VIM. II. Jackson acting as secretary.
Mr. Ross, on behalf Of the committee for that pur-
pose, reported that on building in which about one
million Of brick will be used all work will stop and
that the contractor will have all the time he needs to
resist the strike. Mr. Tostevn then spoke Of report
he heard that Of their members had given in and
he declared it to be false that although the person
referred to had again gone to work yesterday morning
it was with men working ten hours per day. and the
men came back voluntarily. This statement was
corroborated by Messrs. Disbrow and Eidlitz.
Mr. TOstevin read from the HERALD'S cOrrespon-
dence from Washington about the working OF the
eight hour law at some government establishment
in Maine. and he added to it some remarks OF his
own, in which he maintained that the law Of neces
sty WILL as in all other cases, make itself felt He
referred to the strike in Pennsylvania, and he be-
lieved that while. according to Governor Seymour,
men work four hours per day to pay the taxes ana
only six hours to work for themselves and earn
their bread and butter the men Will very soon under
stand their own position. The eight hour system
has gone up In q balloon, he said, and the men are
finding 1t out. A majority Of the men know it now
that they will be worse Off II they win and better II
they lose. The speaker gave some statistics as to
the earnings Of the eight hour men, when they
undertook to take jobs Of their own, and according
to his reckoning it appeared that man could make
more than So SO per day. Mr. TOstevin declared
that one of the strikers himself had told him So and
the man Is, or was the strongest advocate OF the
entire movement.
Mr. Demarest was reported to have a full compile
ment of ten hour men. Mr. Tosevln then rose ana
made remark about four men "wOrking on his
rearsn which gave rise to some humorous converse
ton between some OF the reporters and Mr.. Tostevn
and others of the master masons. The play upon
the word "rearsn and "Mr. TOstevin's rears" was
for time quite amusing, but not at all to the honor
OF those who INDUCED in it, and especially when it
came to the old saying that "Everythng looks lovely
and the goose hangs high" Many OF those present
the mrowote oa S Sy pace OF
whom as matter OF course, nothing else could be
| expected.
ceived an accession OF ten hour men to the force
heretofore employed by them or that they had COM
days work. Mr.. McLane and Mr.. Ross successfully
made appeals to their associates to stand firm,
that 1t was only some demagogues who tried to- keep
them the strike; that the bosses are resisting the
present strike in the interest of the worklngman,
who would have to pay higher rents If the strike sue
ceeded, which would increase the cost OF building or
stop it; that those who advocate the cause of the
| wOrkingman should not begin with him who
has the highest pay. but look to the poor
| widow, who IL sewing all day for dollar or less
Iectual than that OF the brcklayer ana who only
| ceives from 81 so to So per day. The remarks or
these gentlemen were often interrupted by cheers,
and after they closed IL resolved to stand firmly
| by the original resolution to employ none but ten
hour men, and then the meeting adjourned.
Mass Meeting of the BrichIayers' Unions.
The Bricklayers' Unions Nos. q and IL held q
mass meeting last night at Bergen Hail. Twenty
fourth street, to hear the opinions OF prominent
delegates on the progress OF the strike and to ap-
point an additional committee Of conference to con-
fer with the bosses with view to a compromise
The opinion seemed to prevail In the meeting that
the committee Of ways and means heretofore ap-
pointed, with instructions to negotiate treaty OF
peace with the master masons, had too much work
on their hands, and were consequently unable to
give the more important question the required at
tention. good deal OF desultory conversation was
INDUCED IN by delegates respecting the powers Of
the committee, and some confusion took
place. While the meeting was engaged In
discussing the question Of appointments and
listening to the experience OF members
OF the Ways and Means Committee in their late en-
deavor to effect settlement with the bosses, dele
CATION from the Slate Rooiers Association was an
nounced and admitted.
The Chairman (Mr. r. Gaul) introduced Mr..
MCCLELLAN Of the Slate Roofing Association, who said
that the delegation was sent there with q small con-
tribution In aid Of the strikers and TO express the
sympathy OF their association with the brickayers in
their struggle with capital as represented BY the
master masons. We are with YOU. he said. heart
ami hand. Our interests are identical: we work
the plan; your success IL ours and your failure
would be blow to Us as well az to you.
Mr.. SAMUEL WooDcocK, another delegate from the
Slaters Association, followed in short speech to
the effect lie said that the strike OF the brick
layers was protest OF labor against the tyranny OF
capital and interested all other labor associations
equally with the brclSlayers although, of course, the
burden OF the fight would have TO be borne by them.
The fight should go on to the bitter end. Npplause
IT. unfortunately, the bosses should win In this strug-
gle greater tyranny would be exercised by them
over their men, aud other bosses would emulate
their example. The contest must be fought STUB
bornly TO the end loud applause)
"A n a
for their contribution aud expressions oil sympathy
with the Brlcklayers' Union IN their trouble was
then passed and the meeting proceeded TO business.
Mr. II. Gau. President o, No. 2. was unanimously
elected President OF the Union. and hr stuinl Presi.
dent OF No. IL, Vice President. good deal or
eagerness was manifested by members to gain
possession OF the floor for the purpose OF
ventilating their opinions on tne propriey or
improperly Of appointing another committee
OF conference, but after severe appncatlon
Of his formidable gavel the Chairman succeeded
I'm putting one OF the many motions offered 10 the
meeting and Il was carried with acclanation. The
motion was as follows THAT especial committee OF
three from each Union be appointed TO confer with
siderable discussion and some CONFUSION Mr.. John
Schwartz and Mr. Martin Kolp were appointed on
the committee from No II, Mr. Daniel Caliaghan and
Mr. Peter Cogan from No. 4, Mr.. Thomas Munning
and Mr.. James Black from NO =; Inc President OF
each Union formed tue tnru meuper ID each delega-
ton on the committee. 80, 1900
desirous of giving the committee full authority TO
ACT for the Union In their conference with the bosses
untrammeIled by instructions, but as there appeared
IN be more members anxious 10 speak than there
were to listen It was impossible to ascertain the SEN
timenfs Of the majority on that very important mat
ter. Finally debate was cut OF by motion OF the
Secretary that the committee confer with the BOSSES
INT make no final arrangement without first obtain
jnq the approval Of the members OF the Union
thereto. An amendment was attached TO this motion
that special meeting OF the Union should be called
in the event Of the COMMITTEES succeeding IN arrang-
ing the basis OF compromise with the bosses.
Both the motion and amendment were carried
unanimously, although there were not wanting indi.
cations that II amotion had been submitted giving
the committee full power TO negotiate peace be-
tween bosses and men II would have been more ac-
ceptable.
Some Of the men declared that there could be no
compromise on the eight hour question whatever
might be done 10 respect to permitting masters TO