The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-01-06
"Chief Operator Circuit No. Is,
Telegraphers' Protective League

On the receipt of the intelligence con-
tanned in this communication MIR. Paynter
NJ once took charge Of the deserted office,
and, calling in the boys who have been on
duty Mt the hotel Offices, has since been car
rying on the work with their assistance.
None of the leading Offices in this State have
been closed, although nearly all the first
class operators have obeyed the League aud
joined in the strike. None struck, how
ever, at the Norfolk Office.
The Richmond operators on a strike are
Messrs. Joseph McGovern (chief operator),
James C. Pamplin, George McGovern, and
W. s. Taylor. Mr.. Paynter says they are
all fine telegraphcrs and good men, and he
thinks they have no cause Of complaint.
They were paid salaries ranging from sllO
to $l25 per mouth, and that promptly. 1t
is his opinion that the strikers will Ger
taiRfy fail. In St. Louis, at o'clock Tues
day morning, all the operators Sixteen in
number) struck; at P. NJ. eight new men
were at work. Yesterday it was tele-
graphed that they had full force on duty,
and were ready to supply eastern Offices
with good operators. Mr.. Paynter says
that he can do the work now with young
hands, who, with n little pushing, will
make good operators, but it takes two OF
three years 10 make Il first-class operator
Mr. Dowell, the superintendent Of this dis
trict, is engaged in putting in substitutes,
and 30 far has been very successful. Will
mincton and Goldsboro', N. c., are re-
ported struck. None of the strikers have
come to terms yet.
Mcssrs. McGoyern and Taylor, two Of
tho strikers, were interviewed" last
night. They say they have no complaint
whatever personally to make of their treat
mens. Their salaries are good, and theil
relations with the officers with whom they
come Immediately in contact are very pleas
ant, but they a,c under insurmountablt
obligations to support their western breth
rem. They believe that the move in Sal
Francisco for the reduction of salaries, i
submitted 20, would have come this way
They are confident Of ultimate success, anc
say that they arc shut out from the use O
the wires, aud consequently cannot hear o.
the progress made, except by mail. The Tele
graphers' League is n national organization
Instituted about two years ago, and en-
braces in its membership nearly all the
best operators in the country.
MAN. who are not members are pledged
not TO supply the places of the strikers OF
any terms. Their places may be supplied
by "scrubs" and boys, but with sucl
hands they assert the business of the large
offices cannot be carried on properly. Boys
we're not admitted into tile league, except
in few instances On this circuit one waI
admitted, and he "went back on them u il
violation of his obligation. They have
no idea of giving in, and cannot unless ar
rangements are made in New York between
the Executive Committee and the compan,
officers. The latter have, go far, refused t.
have anything to do with the league. Thes
are the statements of the strikers.
The following extract from the proclama
zion dated January 4th sets forth NOR
fully the nature, objects, and extent, Of tn
movement:
"The hour has arrived when prompt an
united action is to decide the future welfar
of the fraternity. The reduction of sala
ries which has been attempted at Sal
Francisco, was bat the forerunner OF sIml
lar action to be taken throughout the coun
try, should it be found that we were willing
J to submit. The organization which inaugu
, rated this resistance extends from the AT
lantic to the Pacific, and from the grea
| lakes to the Gulf. We have used every
honorable effort with tue Executive Com
mittee to end the strife by reinstatlng ou'
brethren at their old salaries. The autho
, rites, BY refusing, have expressed their De
Termination to crush us. We accept tn
challenge cheerfully, knowing that success
2 will follow our grand effort to maintain ou
!. rights. We control all the important cue
l in the United States. We only ask OF on
3 brother operators outside of our organize
tion not to come in and fill our places, as
will merely prolong the contest Wlthou
changing the result. With renewed conf
dence in the justice of our cause, the ope
rators of the North, East, and South, Joil
hands with our brethren of the West in on
solid column, determined that we shall b
men even while laboring for gigantic cor
poration. Signed By the grand officers
the Telegraphic Protective League"
The operators at the railroad Offices, nc
being under the control of the Wcster
Union Company, have not struck; but tn
strikers claim them as sympathizers IN tn
movement. .
We ought to add that the company otlcer
claim that proposition for reducing tn
salaries Of the operators II the soather
. dirision has never been mooted.