The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-10-24

Origin and Progress Of the sirike-visit of
Jay Gould-Convention Of Dclegates-Their
Ultissatum 10 the C0mpany-The Jersey City
Compromise Repudiatcd.
PORT JERvIs, Oct. %. 1869.
The '1ocs .outr on the part OF the artisans In the
machine fhops OF the Erie road at this place, and the
striker at the larger towns ana cities OF ike sym
pathzing mechanics. hence 10 Lake Erie, continues
At this writing, and has assumed magnitude that
demands cognizance. Here, where men, rugged
with severe manual labor, keen in understanding,
shrewd in intellect, and cunning in their own vital
interests, caused the creation OF this important
question demand OF right, justice and fair play"
from corporation that they have served faithfully,
in many instances. fifteen and more years is looked
upon the battle field OF the pitched contest.
The leading minds among the machinists OF this
road IN the early part of July last coming to the con-
cluson that working men at best they were sub
jected TO many annoyances deprvatons aad mex
cusablo neglects but there was remedy for IL all,
and 1t lay in their hands Thus determined on the
80 OF August last, convention of their members
war held in Binghamton, when with singular una
nimity OF feeling and action they formed the Mutual
Protective Association OF Operatives engaged In
the building and repairing railway motive power
and rolling stock of the Erie Railroad Their sue.
in filing up the roll with members was UMPIRE
cendented. and within q few weeks their numbers
were over l,ooo including the artisans III every
branch OF work connected with sucn an extensive
road
The amount OF remuneration which the employees
received was OF but little consequence, as that de-
pended wholly upon their own efforts and habits OF
industry But what they did want and mad IN view
IN their organization, was a regular pay day. a
80, han Tho ri
wages should be received For while after this
period the workmen awaited patiently the period
when they could conveniently bring their grievances
before the officials OF the company, which at last pc
came opportune. On the Goth OF September a dele
gate from each OF the works at Buffalo, Susque
hanna and Port Jeryls were authorized 10 proceed
10 New lord and seek an Interview with James
Fisk, the vice president ana comptroller They were
received by this iunctionarY with marked Kindness.
Arrangements had been entered into and
promises given TO the storekeepers with which
they dealt that their respective Indebtedness should
be llquidated. Paymaster Hilton was on hand with
ms car TO pay the men from, but the needful' had
not arrived from New York. The gilnmering OF
bad fah on The part OF the company began to break
upon the minds OF the worSmen, but yet there was
no outbreak or loud expressions OF feeling until
night. when the division president OF the associa.
ton, Walter Harvey, telegraphed 10 the central
president, David Mason. the fact and requested TO
know what To DO. His answer was the signal for
general suspension 81 labor By the machlnists, and
IN body they soon afterwards convened at
Bpekman's HAL where the situation was reviewed.
Ne II morning the crisis came. Money FOR their pay
ment had arrived, ana snou thereafter a despatch
was received 6y superintendent Redngton from
General superintendent Rucker resident in New
York, ITO make OUT All the pay rolls and pay the
men on 1t done aud the men discharged not.
wthstanduU they would at that tine have at once
gone 10 work again.
kilograms flashed 70 and mo from division asso-
Citations, epistes 81 cougratulaton were showered
upon the officers ~ the Port Jervis men. enjoining
them to stand nrIn III their demands for right and
justice after such 'broken Obligations and merciless
treatment OF iAe company" aun the assurance that
Susquehanua womb oilow suit Immediately gave
them courage. >usqlehalha lid '-iall INTO llne.f
Next followed BufaO ana other cities on the road.
Thus matters rested until yesterday The '.lOck-
outs' here, with manly behavior and quiet dignity,
won encomiums ON every hand. IN their hail.
which Is oult under tue shaiNW OF Old Point Peters
and Meant W!ilaui, the iaeA seventy IN number
met morning anu AFTERNOON discussing The newest
developments Oi iDeir Gd-e, receiving and answer
ing kilograms and epistlss quiet, wen dressed In
Ieigent they almost TO man. 4 VISIT 10 their
rooms was iull ol interest.
In conversation with q visitor some of them
welcomed him sad said:-"ies, sr, glad III.
deed TO you. We stronger to-day than
ever: we ieel conscious right IN our action
Mechanics everywhere are not very lenienuy
dealt with, ami after repeated trampmVs upon, we
quietly desired TO t up our heads little, brush or
the art aat Aai Oegrmed Us. aad ask 10 De re-
cogniked - men. We nave received delegates from
all sections OF The rood sent here IN our behalr
David Mason, OF sIsquenanHa; Fitzsimmons and
Edwin @. Taylor. or same place James Fnday and
Robert Peters or Buffalo have spoken TO the various
shops ong she tine, and their mutual assurances
nave given Wa nope. We were not ha3ty. Time,
amply had been given the officers OF the company.
and knew Il they desired TO pay by the 18TH III
the mouth they could do 80. Why, sir, their cA.
cuses are frivolous. The paymaster was here,
but the FUNDS were not. We nave made no threats.
We can give you list OF the payments Tor the last
two years IL desire, and the previous years are
equally a. bad Here they are