The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-16
TIE QUARRYMEWS STRIKE.
Higher Wages Demanded-The Strong Compel
the Weak-Bloodless Victory Of
the Malcontents.

In the upper part of this island-the border-land
Of the city-among the gaunt, ugly rocks that yet
bear mute witness of the times which WERE before
the advent OF civilization with the portly Iol-
landers over five hundred laboring men are en-
ployed in delvng the earth and I'm blasting into
available fragments its hardy old ribs of stone to
make room for the foundations OF the majestic
dwellings that are continually being erected. What
these curriers' are In temper has been shown
our native citizens in too many bloody disturb
anccs, in which they, no doubt, imagined when
maddened and elated 10y whiskey that they were
lighting for some sacred rights or principles from
which great glory was she'd upon themselves. Their
rccklessness is a proverb and Is most capable of
inspiring terror since the last 18th of July
Almost every spring 1t has been thing to he ex-
pectcd that these workingmen should demand
HIGHER WAGES
than those which, since the close Of summer had
been depressed by lack of employment. The NOM
inal rate during the last winter has been s. day.
Some of the contractors, however, have paid 81 20
since the first OF the year. with promises OF a further
advance in May. But the large majority OF the
Quarrymen have not been paid so wen since last
summer as they are now, and the fact that there
are very large number unemployed makes Z
strong indication OF the power OF the societies when
the contractors dare not engage such olcr to
work even as low rs 81 10 per day.
Yesterday morning it was rumored in the city
that the quarrymen had "struck" and, having gath
cred in large, angry crowds, were forcing others,
however predisposed, to join them; that the police
reserves had been ordered to the scene, and that
BI.ooDsnED WAS IMMINENT
The disturbance--f so quiet revolution may so be
called-hrst took form in Fiftyseventh street, be-
tween Fifth and sixth avenues. where large gang
Of aborers were working for Mr.. Farley, con-
tractor, IN removing the rocks on from a
workingmen's societies; but when they had once
left their work in crowd ana were on the march
they impressed in their ranks every one whom they
found welding pickaxe or drill, whether he be-
onged to their fraternity or not nntil at length the
force numbered about three hundred.
From Fiity-seventh street the crowd of $50 stout,
dirty, but determined men, rolled on toward the
East River, drawing into their unrnly ranks on the
way, about fifty Others like themselves, who were
employed by Mr.. Doutney, contractor Those who
demurred to the plans of the strikers such In
a double sense) were cowed by
VULGAR AND BRUTAL THREATS,
uttered In the iiercest and most filthy Of LANGUAGE
ana the apparion OF heavy black dsis sh y, Ken
.ner M e Of rSeh That o w
strewn around in heaps, and would readily and
quickly have made good the threats OF their leaders
had there been any defiance offered them. On the
march the throng stopped at the quarries worked
by Messrs. Kern, McMannis, jeremiah crowley,
Smith, Elngwood and others, until it really became
VERY DREAD-L0OKING MOB.
At the quarry Of Mr.. MorltH IN Filty-ourh street,
near Madison avenue, there were thirty men ut
work. who were perfectly satisfied with the pay
they were already getting and with the increase
which had been promised them for the LIST OF May.
When the ''strikcrs arrived here they at first refls
ed to join them. Then they were greeted with the
blood thirsty demand, "Take home your tools, or
Wen stone your brains OUT One workman, who
saw that the crowd was composed most largely OF
nOn-Society men, persisted in defiance and
Instantly surrounded by
DOZEN ANGRY ASSAILANTS.
who were only restrained from INJECTING bodily
abuse upon him by the quick Intervention OF his
foreman, who for the sake OF peace, advised all
those under him to quit work and to JON in the
movement. This they did, but about half OF them
returned to work In the afternoon.
In the progress of the revolutionary march Seve-
raj of the contractors Immediately succumbed to
the requirements Of the men, so that their work
would not be arrested. Among these were MessEs.
Martin and Kern
TIE PEACEFUL POLICE.
The police detachmepts OF reserves, which were
ordered to the Nineteenth and Twenty-secopd
| wards, under Inspectors Waing and Jameson, tt
| prevent any breach OF the peace had no occasion
| for the exercise OF their vaor though a very little
freak Of chance might have given them too much o
| that kind OF glory They We're kept ut a distance
| spread about in small parties, ana their presence
| could not have created much awe, since
| they in such unlmposng numbers
The mob was well armed with tools
and, besides, could have had ready to the
loose fragments OF rock which are plentiful in
what might have been the bloody battle ground.
The fact that all was quiet up town was elegraplcd
to Police Headquarters several times during the day,
and about three O'Clock the reserves were ordered
home by superintendent KelsO, who felt assured
that there no further danger OF riot.