The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-06-21
THE onxwEsE AND THE oR1sPINs:
The Origin OF the Movement to Obtain
Chinese Standardization the Celes-
tial Newcomers Conduct Themselves.

The Boston Herald, OF the 18th instant,
gives the following account of the difficulties
among the North Adams shoemakers, which
led to the importation Of Chinese into that
town. The history Of the causes which have
led to this innovation, and which seriously
threaten to revolutionize the question OF
labor in New England, covers period OF
about two years, and the event is exciting
comment from all classes In every manufacture
ing town in the New England States.
In the month of May, 1868, Mr.. Sampson,
the proprietor Of shoe manufactory, was
first made aware of the existence OF the Order
time till January Of the present year has from
time to time had some slight misunderstand-
inps with his employees. The causes and ex-
tent OF these are variously stated, but this fact
ia apparent-that he often sought to employ
men not belonging to the order, and as often
found that the entire number were soon In
duced to join this society for the protection OF
paid In all shops in town for bottoming being
ten dollars and twelve cents per case for double
soled shoes and nine dollars for slngle-soled,
he was waited upon by q committee who asked
an advance Of one dollar per case. This was
fatty refused. Soon after this. he alleges, his
shoes were being made in an Inferior manner,
and he asked an explanation from the foreman,
q Crispin, who could give no Information. a
few hands were discharged and new ones put
on. These made flret-class work for lew
days, when they commenced. following In the
trail of the old hands. Reasons were demand
ed. and 1t was explained that the new men
would not be allowed to make better work
than that previously done In the shop.
Matters remained thus mutually unsatlsfac-
yhnt, hr
men together, and informing them that there
were no orders, and that business was growing
dull, asked If they would be willing to work
for reduction OF ten per cent. until the re-
yiyal of trade, when former prices would De
given. A special meeting of Hoosac Tunnel
Lodge, No. "a, of the Knights OF St. Crispin,
was held that evening, and, on bringing the
matter to q vote, 1t was decided not to accept
the proposition OF Mr.. Sampson; accordingly
they finished up the orders already on hand
and left his employ. He then sent his clerk.
Mr.. George W. Chase, to North Brooktieid,
with directions to hire new gang, and tO
take none but Crispins. They came, but did
not 90 to work. Two days after their arrl-
val, having conferred with the Crispins OF this
town, they notified Mr.. Sampson that there
were men enough In town. and according to
their rules they could not SO to work for him,
and they left North Adams for home at 10
o'clock, May l3. At 4 O'Clock, on the same
day, Mr.. Chase departed for California. In
one month from that very hour he landed at
the depot with seventy-fve Cinnamon.
These men are hired for term OF three
years, at twenty-three dollars per month the
first year and thirty-three thereafter, with
lodging, rooms for which have been 1tted up
In portion of the building furnished them,
together with some other privileges. They. In
their turn, agree to certain stipulations which
will protect Mr.. Sampson. All Sing, or Charlie,
as he is famIliarly called, comes with them.
He is passaby well educated, and is a regular
member OF the Methodist Episcopal Church.
He will keep all the accounts, receiving the
wages, purchasing their food and giving them
spending money, and sending each month the
residue of their money TO the Kwong Chong
Twlng Company of San Francisco, which will
keep it on deposit for them. The men are
very neat In appearance, which Is asnbject Of
general surprise.
All the. shops here demand areduction OF ten
per cent from the present prices and meet
consider the subject. 1t is generally thought
that they will succumb.
The newly arrived Celestials are fast becom.
ing domesticated in their strange home. They
have not yet fairly commenced the laoors OF
shoe making, but are at present engaged 10
s'fXing up" their quarters according 10 tneli
ideas Of convenience and comfort. They
ted up at the rear end Of Mr.. SIMPSONS sub
stantial brick buildings. These are the wash
ing-roon,, also used for bathing, the kitchen,
the dining-room and sleeping-room. The
sleeping Accommodations Tor the whole seven
ty-fve are in one room. In the centre, facing
outward towards each wall, are rows ofberths,
one above another to the height OF FIVE. Each
has good mattress, blankets, and other nee
essary articles, and their occupants have adj
ded curtains, shelves, &C., all the work of theil
own hands, and done very neatly, although
they are comparatively unskilIed in the use o.
tools. Their capacity for learning ant
love of knowledge eyincc themselves
in every movement. They are pick
ing up words of English every. hour
and once the pronunciation and meaning OF
mind forever they are pleasant, ahable. OBJ
serving, greeting every one with pleasant
smile, speaking to all they have seen once be
fore, and watching every strange or new
| movement in their presence. The uses OF ma
chinery are learned with wonderful rapldlty
Each implement is inspected carefully, anC
the method of Its use Is asked and scanned
| with an eagerness seldom seen among othel
races. That Mr.. SIMPSONS experiment will
these will prove a personal success in every