The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1870-01-11

Notwithstanding it was intimated on Sat-
urday that the telegraphers' strike would come
to an end within forty-eisht hours, either by
the power OF the company or mutual COM
promise, it still continues. although its injuri-
Gus effect upon the business of the communi-
" Is somewhat modified. No Office in Maine
was affected. The Boston operators are still
holding out, but the business is being done
regularly, the Company having called in from
other towns and cities enough operators for
regular work. Only one of the strikers in
that city has caved in, we hear. West of Bos-
ton the strikers present an undaunted front,
but good orderis yet preserved. In Washing
ton, tits said the postoffice and war department
offices were closed, and the main Office had
but two competent operators left. Secretary
Belknap is reported to sustain the operators.
The Typographical Unions of Chicago and
Nashville have come to the support of the
strikers with money, and urge associate I'm
ions through the country to do the same.
The Brcklayers and Plasterers' Labor Union
OF Philadelphia and the Mechanics and Black
smiths Union of New York have put their
finances into the side of the strikers. In
dianapolis, Pittsburg, Albany, Louisville, Gin
cinnati, Baltimore and New Orleans still
hold out against the company, and the other
Southern cities are said to be still resistant
Every large Office is reported to be crippled,
and quite number of important ones are
closed altogether. The reports from all quar-
tiers are that the operators are preparing for a
long seige
1t Is extremely difficult to ascertain the real
cause Of the commotion, for the statements of
the opposing parties are Numerically oppo-
site. As it takes two to make quarrel, it Is
fair to presume that there are faults on both
sides; and they are INDUCING in a very pretty
little fight at the expense of the business in
terests OF the country. Both parties are
strong; the operators by their combination
and the peculiar nature of their employment,
which gives them, if they choose to use it, the
power to entirely stop the wheels of the COM
pany, and derange the whole business machin:
ey OF the nation. The company has the
power of capital and an intimate relation with
the financial, commercial and political interests
OF the country behind it. On its part it is
great monopoly, capable of great mischief,
and as combinations of this kind are contrary
to the principle Of healthy competition in bu-
siness which Americans adopt in practice
shs strike will lead to spirit of investigation
TO ascertain something of the inside working
Of this great corporation, by Congressional &C.
Sion. The actual cash capital of the Western
Union Co. is said to be little less than &c.
100000, and its dividends have been al the |
rate Of 9 per cent. per annum on a basis of /
$A00OO'o00; equivalent to dividend of over
"a per cent, which indicate an enormously
pFontaole enterprise. The telegraph is fast
sapesseding the post-oface as a public sery-
ant, and the people will demand that the work
shall be done at fair rate OF compensation.
either by encouraging competing lines or by
direct legislative action.