The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-02-06
Special Correspondence Of the AM
FROM MARYLAND.
BALTIMORE, Jan. 26, 1869
To the Editor Of the woRKMeMAs's Advocate.


mach wages as was paid IN the establish
ment. One day las week Mr.. Murray, fore
man Of the team department, in the estsb-
lishment OF Faust & Brother, Baltimore
street, approached Mr.. Thompson with the
following proposition "Mr. Thompson,
we want you to tske position as trimmer,
at 80 much a pair. We will guarantee you
constant work, and you can select such men
out Of your team a. you think proper, and
they shall have constant work" Mr.. ThOmp-
son replied that be would have to consider
the matter
CRIsPINs IN THE FIELD.
On Tues lay morning, some Of the hands,
on asking Mr.. Murray for work, was inform
cd that there would be 10 more work given
out % the presep. (team) system. This BIT
Of intelligence was soOc COM. .icated to
the knights" working in the establish ment,
and consultation was Immediately held
II wac determined that was not the place 70
canvas the matter. and, therefore, concluded
to adjourn to Rachabite Hall, and hold a
public meeting, whereupon every man 10
the establishment, from rhe ''lastei" to the
stock filter doft his "apron" and retired to
the designated place IF rendesvouz.
THE MEETING IN RAcHABITE HAIi.
Az soon as the men left the establishment
Of MI. Faust word was despatched 10 tbe other
shops, and, in an increditable short space Of
time, there Mas a verv large meeting NJ
Crispia-, members Of the order, and Others
not members. The meeting was organized
w calling Mr.. N. o. Tbonps0s to D. r''-
Mr.. Thomson, on taking the chair addressed
the meer in An eloquent and stirring little
speech, q which be, set forth the object Of
the meeting. Addresses were mads by Mr..
Wright and others, and Mr.. Grim addressed
The meeting in German. The following re-
sc!ctions we're unimouslv adopted
NEEGyAs, The proposition OF Mr. Murray to
dIsorganize the teams, and employ the men on
the various branches, would, ia effect destroy
the present system Of work and reduce the wa
ges ~ the men, and
WHEREAS The foregoing proposition strikes
blow at the unity Of our organization; there
fore,
Resolved, That We do not accept the propo-
sitTpn Of Mr.. Faust, made through the foreman
Of The team dedartment
Received, Taat no man returns to his work
until the old system il re-establishsd.
A committee Of three was appointed 10
wait on Mr. Faust, and inform him of the
action Of the meeting. The committee,
through their chairman, Mr.. Wright, (stOck
cutlery, reported that they had a long con
ference with the principal OF the establish
ment, and That he would give them a decid-
ed answer tomorrow morning at eight
O'Clock to which time the meeting adj ourn-
ed. The lodge held a secret session.
On Monday morning the men reassembled
at Racbabite Hall. The news Of the turn
out had been pretty well circulated during
the ternoon and evening, and there was a
pretty large turn out Of Crispins on Wed
nesdav morning at the appointed hour.
1 The presiding officer called the meeting to
order, and stated that the committee was
now having an interview with the principal
of the fun.
The corresponding secretary reported that
he bad telegraphed to the lodges through
out the Union and bad written the Grand
Lodge.
4 The presiding officer. Mr.. D. N. Thomp-
son, stated that be would like to hear some
or the many present address the meeting,
but meeting with no response, be was oblig-
ed 60 undertake that duty himself Mr.. T.
said that in the absence of any one else adj
I dressing the meeting, be would endeavor 70
attract their attention, for few moments.
He had no personal ambition to satisfy, be
/ has no deeires to crafty beyond what tend
ed to elevate his fellow man. He had been
! placed in the front rank Of this organiEa
ton in this city, and be felt the responsible
I ty of his position, and was determined to
perform his duty as a man and as a brother.
Were it not for this organization the men
\ upon whom this attack was made would 60
day be working at a reduced rate OF wa
( ges but, inspired by the hopes which this
organiza ion holds out to eyery man, they
have reisted this aggression on their right,
and shown that they are determined to pro
teet what little rights are vet left TO them.
Y The employers have selected this time to give
the wheel OF oppression another turn. They
have chosen thus time because they believed
II to be the most prUpisous, they are under
the Impression that you have nothing to fall
back upon and that their task viii be an
easy o2e They desire to break up the
present system Of working and introduce .
new one, because, say they, the men are
too much united, aud We cannot do any To dg
with them. They were not aware that We
have . system to fall back upOn-a system
grand In its conception and mighty in its
power, opening wide its arms to embrace
every shoemaker in the land, and extending
protective arm over him whthersoever he
gOeth. This Is something new in the history
Of shoemaEing When was it known that
in the month Of January, and a period like
the present, when business is so dull and
money 50 scarce that shoemakers would dare
to resist q reduction Of wagesS But the
time has come when this spirit Of aggres-
siveness on the part OF the employer must
be met by like spirit Of resistance on tt
/ part Of the J0urneyman. In this instance
they nave endeavored to tamper with the
cupidity Of the men BY offering to pay some
more than they are now getting, but to do
this they propose to reduce others. A man
who has no interest beyond selhshness il
unworthy the name OF man. But we have
refused this proposition refused il because
we know We have q system to fall back on
and one that will sustain us in the hour OF
need and we will tell the employers that We
are determined to have our rights. The time
has come when men standing in the erect
form Of man must stand by each other, they
have rights, and these they must maintain
Or be ground down under the heel OF op-
precision. do not know what the report Of
the committee may be. IL may be favora-
ole, and il may be uufavorable. but what
ever be the result, We must stand together
as one man. We have no fear Of the con-
sequences, for am satisfied that before the
setting OF the sun, our position will b
known to twenty thousand OF our fellow
craftsmen who are pledged, ready and vii.
ling 70 sus ain Us.
Mr.. Thompsun called upon B j. Murphy
to address the meeting. Mr.. M. reviewed
the last strike which was had in Baltimore,
and urged the men 70 united action. Dc
spoke IN favor Of corporation; be said there
bad been some attempts made 70 cry It down
and prove il to be failure. But this was