The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-03-19

~ e@9 Msss@t VI 49, W&&AA&@4A8o A1sVSAfws
THE srRIxE AT ABBorT's IRON WORKS.
There is no important change in the
condition of things as last reported 1t
the Abbot Company's works. The
mills are still idle, and with the excep-
ton Of o little smoke from some Of the
outer works, there is not the sign of life
about them. The men are now six
weeks relying on their own resources.
In financial point Of view, they are
the weakest side. VIII atever little they
may have had laid by must be
now pretty well exhausted, and unre-
lenting fate seems staring them in the
face. These men, whatever fate may
decree for them, will leave proud re-
cord behind them, one Of which no body
of men need be ashamed to refer back
to. The men were unprepared for this
contest, and entered upon it as de-
fensive necessity. They were at the
time Of the reduction, working at less
rate of wages than was being paid in
any other part Of the county for the
same kind of work. Now it is pro-
posed reduce them from Is to IL IL
per cent, which will make . saving to
the company of 66 per cent. in the ag-
gregate, in the production of rails.
This t.ifiing reduction Of IL IL per
cent ON the weekly earnings Of the
men, would yield the company q saving
Of $3.50, 100000 annually. A nice little
sum to swell their dividends. IL it any
wonder that fortunes are 10 rapidly
made, when labor contributrs 30 much
to increase them. In general
TRADE MATHIS
there is nothing Of any moment to re-
cord. In the building line business has
been brisk for the season. This has
been owing greatly to the remarkably
fine weather during the winter. There
is also a good prospect of a brisk spring
and summer works. The stone-cutters
have realized their worst fears in re-
spect to their wages. 1t has been their
general custom TO have their wages
raised about the first of March. This
year however, the first of March has
come and gone, but the wages remain
the same. Come boys, get your cour
age up to the sticking point; this is no
time to give way. The journeymen
shoemakers and titters' mems branch
bench hands held a meeting on Tues
day last, and temporarily organized a
union. 1t is not at all unlikely but what
they will apply to the general lodge Of
the Crispins for a charter. The car
makers are still fighting the penitentiary
in the Legislature. The fate of the
measure is very doubtful. The mould
ers' unions, 19 and "a are about the
same as last reported. No change
worthy of note.
CITY MATTERS
In this department the same is occur
ring as in other large cities. There is
an occasional murder, 20 as to let us
know that murders are still in fashion !;
assaults and batteries, robberies and
other misdemeanors, that go to make up
the catalogue of crime. Yet we are i'm
proving morally, and no better evidence
of this can be given than to cite the
fact that from the commencement Of the
striks at Abbott's, up to the present
time, there has been no riot or other
lawless demonstration by the en-
ployees Of the company. In this con-
nection, it must be permitted
here, that the men ON a strike,
or their stricking committee have
rented room which they keep well
supplied with reading matters of the
day including three numbers of the
ADVOCATE weekly. We have had an
election to take the sense of the citizens
on the propriety Of endorsing the bonds
of the western Maryland railroad. The
bonds amount to some millions Of dol
lars. The great advantages of the
road TO the commercial and mechanical
interest of the city has been very forci-
bly, pointed out by those interested in
the road, but never a word was said
about the financial advantagesto accrue
to the stock holders and directors.
That is not a workingman's bushes!
VRRITAs.