The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-22
THE CIGAR MAKERS, STRIKE.

Tho Origin of the Dinlculty-Thc Nature Of
the Differences-NTass Meeting In the Park.
For some time there has been considerable difh-
Guilty existing between the cigar makers and their
employers, the manufacturers. The reason for it
was that the cigar makers believed themselves too
poorly paid In comparison with the rate of wages
other trades and through their organized "unions"
or workingmen's associations, they made formal
demand for increase OF pay to the extent OF two
dollars per thousand OF cigars made. They claimed
that their present pay averages only about from
fourteen to sixteen dollars per week, while
the increase asked for would yield from twenty
to twenty-five dollars, enabling them to live and
support their families with comparative ease. This
was refused by the employers; but they made q
counter proposition to the effect that until the next
LIST OF January they would pay one dollar per thou
sand more and II at that time the state OF business
would warrant 1t they would pay an additional
dollar more per thousand until the LIST Of May, at
which time new scale Of prices, suited to the con-
dition OF the trade, should be agreed upon. This
proposition Of the manufacturers was condtionally
accepted by the unions the condition being that the
manufacturers should employ none other than mem
beers OF the unions The condition was natly refused
and the acceptance Of their proposition pure ct
simple insisted on by the manufacturers, who had
Manufacturers' Union.n These terms being rejected
by the cigar makers the manufacturers at their
meeting on Friday last adopted the following
.n Ia. proved our that there pros
pect OF coming to any equitable adjustment OF the difficulties
Resolved That all worsmen belonging Y the Cigar Makers
% BE n M on s @ @ a
member OF this association and further that the advance
hered to as non-union cigar concerned
Further that circular be addressed 70 in
with the cigar makers UNIONS sqd asking them to cooperate
with us.
r,,o,o rosortors uroro communicated "a tba mon
In the several shops yesterday morning, and they
were required TO renounce the union. After brief
consultation among themselves all the members OF
the several unions at once quit work. and 1t was
agreed to hold mass meeting at the City Hall Park
at fpast two O'Clock IN the afternoon. Consider
Ing that there are about 5000 cigar makers en-
plOyed In this city, OF whom nearly 0nehalf belong to
the unions the meeting was but slimly attended,
there beng only about from 500 to 900 present The
proceedings consisted in speeches and in the an
nouncement Of the programme agreed upon by the
Executive Committee Of the unions.
Mr.. Kuhn, who Is the President OF this Executive
Committee, was the first speaker, who stated that
under the old law, with BLOCKADE running" and
cheating the government-meaning the making and
selling Of untaxed cigars-they could earn at best
only from seventeen to eighteen dollars. Under the
new they proposed to protect the bosses as well
az the government; but their proposals we're re-
fused, and they were now required to degrade and
debase themselves by signing paper which virtually
makes them slaves. He hoped none OF them would
do IT. for 1t would sink them lower than the negro
slave, and they would have no reason to COM
plain II treated worse than dogs. lie stated
appeal the Presidents OF the National Labor Union
and OF the International Union OF Cigar Makers for
aid In support or their strike. They would also OBJ
tain number OF travelling cards. so that those men,
beers who would go into the interior to seek work
may quickly go. Hc stated that the preposterous ac-
ton OF the employers would drive much OF the cigar
business from New York, as cigars manufactured
here are sold and smoked In the Wesr, and the work
ingmen may just as well go West themselves and
manufacture there cheaper and be better paid He
then advised those who had any money saved up to
unite together-six, seven or more-jon their
friends and start cooperative shops, and the
Executive Committee would at once communicate
with Commissioner Rollins at Washington and the
several collectors and assessors In this city with
gard to fling bonds and obtaining licenses In con-
cusion he advised them all TO stand firm and light 10
the end and they would be victorious.
After speeches from Mr. Edward Frey, Mr.. I. Ga
bay, Mr.. Joseph Wing and Mr.. I. Solomon, all APP
pealing to their fellow worknen not to waver, Mr..
Kuhn announced that mass meeting would be held
at Turner Hail. Nos. u and 80 Orchard street. on Mon
day next and he advised his hearers to abstain from
all unlawful interference with those OF their trade
who do sign the paper and continue work, since they
had black list which goes all over the country, and
that would be punishment enough for them. The
maQtnQ then adjourned.