New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-20
STRIKES IN FRANCE.
TIE STRIKE OF TEN THOUSAND wORKMEN AT
CREUZOT.


TIE STRIKE OF TEN THOUSAND WORKMEE AT
CREUZOT.
PARIS. Wednesday Jan. 10, 1870.
Ten thousand men have struck work at Creuzot.
They have made no further demonstration yet.
President Schneider, who is proprietor of the works
ut Creuzot goes there tonight, The strike is con-
sidered grave affair.
WHAT FRENCH LABOR STRIKES ARE LIKE
IANENTABLE CONDITION OF FRENCH WORK
lNGMEN-POYERTY AND PUNCHING STRUG-
GILES.
PARIS. Dee. 1ec9-The Provisional Govern
mcn OF lsis established the legal right Of the workman
10 strike for better pay, but the foundation OF the
Empire Of Napoleon III, until last January liberty OF
speaking. writing and Of meeting in public, hare been
forbidden. When, however, public opinion compelled
Napoleon to sacken s curb when the Republican press,
with indignant voice. revealed the condition OF the
oppressed vorkmcn the latter resolved TO act Hence,
the late strikes among an grades Of French artisans.
Tho press did II ALL II not only awakened the courage
Of the workmcu it established also among the scattered
groups a direct communication, and developed spirit
OF mutual sympathy which encouraged the most timid
It's sad story. that Of these strikes, and strange
contrast the dazzling splendors accompanying the re-
cent voyage Of the French Empress. Men, women and
children work during fourteen fifteen, and sixteen hours
day for miserable plttance, and for ruined health,
premature old age. and depOrable ignorance. Yet,
Notwithstanding their extreme misery the strikes in al
most all parts of France have been conducted without
violence The great silk and cotton manufacturing dis
trcs were the strike Thcyl were joined by the
miners Tarare Hhouel OF the principal silk and
cotton districts by the day and by the
month. They have four grades-the hrstclaSs work
man. the novice, after he passes the age OF
II years, the apprentice, and the child OF 10.
The apprentice becomes a novice during three or
four years before emerging into frstcass workman.
FOrcmen photographers designers, and superior vOrkmen
paid from 81 to about 81 per month The increase
demanded By them 20 francs, or s. 7s The wages OF
workers and by the day from 30 to ~ cents
They claimed 20 cents Apprentices paid 10 cents
cay asked for addition Of 10 cents. Instead OF Il
hours, they proposed 10 as days work These claims
at refused, and general strike throughout
the district the result But the loss OF nearly $4,000
the receipts Of the town Of Tarare duTlg tie first
days % the strike. and tie departure Of wholesale
buyers elsewhere forced the employers to yield half CT
the demand From Tarare the movement spread 20
Lyons Then the agitation spread TO the mining districts
Of Tie Loire, over tie mountains 20 Ardecle throughout
the southwest aud burst over Maroelcs appearing at
Dduplu6 and suddenly bringing Paris, BoleD. Hayre.
and EUeui into the struggle. Al Paris the dry goods
clerks demanded cessation Of LABOR on Sunday The
general refusal OF employers led TO tho formation OF "a
Committee OF Resistance which finally projected
mcrcla houses Paris the plan of association Al Il
beu the woocTdcrs asked Increase Of 10 yer cent
the daily wage Of received
BY them for y hours work. This Industry turns
many cousumptves, the aust which the cdrders uhae
being poison the lungs. The company refused for
hong time the increase demanded, and only acceded
when they found they losing by their unfGliied
orders for work.
over France similar scenes took place,a even now
continue. IL places the strikers reduced to
absolute starvation At Carmaux CTarD) they sought
work al anything and were every where refused, The
miserable conceived the idea that there
cet understanding among The employers to reduce them
u the lowest depths Of uSery Angry groups met the
streets; haggard women with their children among them
The uig ordered 20 be IN readiness ana an Off
GER speaking OF the women bade them retire he
fore charge Of cavalry that might endanger their lives
One OF these wreched mothers replied 4" 50 much the
better-the Ceau need fOOd!' The magistrate re-
quested the strikers return their houses" They
answered dOssediy, I'VE have 10 homes; starva-
pon has driven us from them" These Inca though
pushed TO the greatest extreme, threats and
guilty Of violence But they held out and 70.
fused ~ 20 70 work at the Ola prices Their
at last rewarded The employers were compelled 70
yield. These strikers Of Carmaux we're numerous md
composed OF different branches OF industry They had
been receiving from u TO cents day. They asked an
increase Of 20 a. per centhat TO say Il 10 90 cents
Aday. But their troubles not ended Their votes
IN the last electionsHhayng been hostile TO the Govern
nent tho tools OF the latter determined punish
Them. and just the were reenterng their factories
" their work. number .of them arrested
ss rngloaders and disturbeTs OF the peace.
For the votes % the wretched factory workers OF
France have been controlled by fear OF the loss Of their
empioyments Notwithstanding. they have voted this
year in large numbers against the Empire. In the De
psrtent OF VAR at Garde Freine circumstance favored
The cork makers Of the district, who determined 10 ssk
nSe cents additional pay where they had been receiving
cents day. The employers who had been secretly
Informed OF their Intention. received the demand With
The greatest suayty. telling them that Al the moment IL
Ia 10 In. Has
had to be called n but they promised at the beginning
0fthe Winter 10 accord the desired increase The slm
hrJ In the reply OF all the manufacturing com.
panes Of the town astonthed the workmen and
hey resolved TO have tho promise OF their masters
gwen TO them In writing. general grua refusal
sas their answer. The companies counted the
nstress certain 10 attack the strikers but they
mistaken. All the cork makers Of the region assembled
appointed Committee, into whose hands they placed
the little funds which they could scrape together and
teof heart wa IN July. The harvest was about 10