The Montana post., 1869-01-08
JAN. Sth
THE UNION STRIKE.

EDITORS MONTANA PosT:-We have
read with pleasure your editorial of this
morning. relative TO and commenting
upCn the articles published by a1thori-
" of the Miners League in the Gazette
Of Sunday last. Ii is a calm, cool review
of the matter from the only point of
view presented to you. and il is this usr
spirit in your editprial which has led US
10 request tue use of your columns To
present to the people OF Montana. min
ers and all. the other side of the matter.
and the facts as they are. In regard to
the mere HOtirC of the strike we have
nothing 10 say. The simple notice that
mo man will be allowed 10 work until
the terms are complied with-S6O per
month" condemns IL with a louder voice
than ours. for IL assails the majesty of
the law.
The card which explains the reasons
for the strike we wish not TO reply TO
bat TO correct it's misstatement. IL as
serts.
First. There is CLOSE combination
between Messrs. Hodge and Tatem.
Second. The Dcomulgation of a
Christmas order % the effect that men
not on hand o Saturday would be dis
charged.
Third. >IWorkingmen have been treat
I'd lie better than slaves, &c.
X. reply 10 the renders of these char2
es, and not in reply 10 the scTiffT or
critters we say:
First. There is not now. and never has
been any CLOSE combination" existing
between Mr.. Hodge and Mr.. Tatem. as
asserted. They are and always have
been separate and independents IN busi-
ness. but are and have been warm per-
sonal friends.
Second. There was an order issued on
Christmas Eve exactly as the Miners
League states. and the reason is simply
this: Our mills are now a long way
ahead of the mines, and each single
days loss is a positive disadvantage.
Was it wrong or did il approach
slavery" for Us 10 issue that order
The ordinary form Of contract between
capital and labor gives either the right
20 quit at sight, and certainly when
either quits the other has tue right 10
disconlinue-at option.
Third. Every man has been promptly
paid his full wages at the end of each
month. without deductions or shorts,
and We think their each and every right
has been respected In support of this
the oppressed and spoken feeling of No.
; men To- their employer Mr.. Tatem has
been highly gratifying and compliment
airy 20 him personally. and until New
Years day he had no idea of any cause
tor discomfort. New Years was taken
as a holiday without leave, and Mr..
Hodge saw fit TO lower wages $40 for
the month of January on ahsen;ees.
The absence Of the miners on that day
was a considerable disad vantage to US,
and though we do not speak positively,
il is quite likely holiday would have
been granted had it been requested.
We believe that the history OF the
Union Lode will show that work has
always been done ON New Years day.
tcithOUt any demonstrations such as the
present The assertion that no man
could stop OFF one day without being
discharged is not the case. as our time
books will irrefutably show.
While we are willing and dssirous 20
prosecute work at the old rates. we do
not consider it sound business policy
TO increase our expenses, and therefore
in consequence of the positive demand
made by the Miners League. we, the
undersigned. have decided that our
beet and Onlv policy is to discontinue
ell work, rather than pledge ourselves
10 pay higher wages than are war
ranted by our business
rrN4T