The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-07
THE LABOR MOVEMENT.



An adjourned meeting Of the master masons o.
New York took place at No. 81 Liberty street yester.
day, John T. Conover, President occupying the chair
Mr. COnOver explained that the cause of the small at
tendance was owing TO the holidays intervening.
Mr.. A. M. Ross reported that he had called upon
some owners and they all seemed disposed to have
but one feelingto sustain the bosses In the present
position they had assumed They were willing to let
the work stand any length Of time-for months OF
years. This declaration created great enthusiasm
among the members present.
Mr.. STEPHENS stated that while he was not q
brcklayer he had houses awaiting completion, and
he expected they would have to wait some time. lie
had observed that the brIcklaying interest was
chiefly confined 20 one nationality, aud ne was
strongly In favor of mixed labor. As long rs the
brckayers were made up of one class ofpeople these
difficulties would occur, as they were more united.
Encourage mixed labor-Germans Irish. Amer
icans-and they would not coalesce. This had been
shown In the case OF the carpenters.
Calls were mere made for reports as to the number
OF men working ten hours per day.
out OF fourteen men In his employ ten had returned
10 their work, and the whole Of them were anxious
TO return, !Applausel He also reported that Nj.
Mr.. STEPHENS insisted haG II the bosses were going
to Eight the tourneymen successfully they must look
outside OF this labor. There were many men who
could lay brick who were kept out Of employment
because they had not served regular apprentice
ship. lie believed these men could he obtained
Mr.. Ross stated that too much should moi he en-
trusted TO foremen, VINO acre frequently afraid of
the men, Many Of those present could lay brick and
MIR. TAsTIvIRN stated that his men refused to work
ten hours.
OF new laborers, who were society men, to work at
ten hours.
Mr. volK reported that two Of his men went TO
work yesterday at ten hours.
Mr. TAsrIviEN could not see that the society could
now employ men unless they agreed 20 work ten
hours. The rules of the journeymen allowed bosses
a Ia
some now--four or five, or Dozen II necessary. He
recommended that their places be niled 10y ap.
Mr. DELIENGER stated that when he took hold OF
this movement In opposition to the demands Of the
men ne had resolved 20 90 INTO II firmly. tie had %
great deal OF work on hand but he would not Weld
lie had called upon his owners, who recommended
that the bosses should not yield. He had letters
who had only received % per day. tie put the man
on Yesterday. and the captain OF the Nineee nth pre-
cinct had promised TO protect him from assault. lie
urged that the society should stand firm n 10 took
two months. lie calculated 10 have ten hours labor
or nothing. There were many men working ten
Mr.. BRoaER reported that he had seven men at
Mr.. PAERscEF reported five working for him
Mr.. SPEARS reported mat he had discharged all his
men and zone to work with az pr,ntices
HARVEY CHAMBERS reported four men at work at
ten hours.
Mr.. Ross reported that one of the publlc school
trustees was disposed 70 favor the bosses.
On motion of Mr.. MC6LENCY the Executive CON-
mit'ee was authorized TO advertise IN the country
papers and employ agents to induce mechanics to
come in from the county, and also 10 country
boys as apprentices. Mr.. MEG. asserted that many
men within twenty miles Of New York were work.
ing for SO per day, or ten hours.
After some further uDlmportant remarks motion
was adopted that the secretary keep roll OF those
men who go TO work new, and that the bosses agree
TO give them preference at all times over all others
ON motion OF q member the meeting reasserted its
determination 10 stand out against the demands OF
the men for eight hours labor and 80 per day.
motion was also adopted to the effect that the
boss pasterers be requested TO stop work until their
men agree TO work ten hours; and the meeting al.
journed until two O'Clock tomorrow.