The New York herald., 1872-06-26
The Granite and Stone Cutters-Origin
and History OF the Westerly Strike
Meeting of the State DELEGATES.


tion consisting of delegates fom the New England,
Western and Southern States, met according to ap-
pointment yesterday morning at their rendez-
vOus in Third avenue. The following were the
prominent members Of the committee, viz:-Mr. c.
O'Sulivan, OF Westerly, r. L. Mr.. ID. Clancy, Phila
delphia; Mr.. M. J. Mccarthy, Richmond, Va; Mr.
John Smyth Baltimore, and Mr. Reuben Williams
from Washington. Mr. O'Sullivan occupied the
the chair; Mr.. Mccarthy acted as Secretary. The
resolutions adopted at their meeting on Monday
evening, June "a. which form an embodiment OF
views OF the several associations throughout the
country. were read by the Secretary, as follows:-
he Gre
and Stone Cutters protect their rights without resort
sion Of capitalists, be il, therefore,
Try and especially those Of Westerly e in resisting
and published IN last Tharsdas Mnnssp be
By @ a. se a9 %d be be
Resolved That we sustain our brothers q, Westerly
and ustable means until such time he submits
to their just demands.
After the unanimous reapproval of the resolu-
tions Mr. O'Sullivan, delegate from Westerly, made
the following clear and intelligent statement of the
origin of the Westerly strike its history and Its
connection with the association in New York CITY,
The strike of the granite cutters he said, origi-
mated in westerly, r. l., a town Of about 5000 in
habitants, and remarkable for its splendid granite
quarries, which were worked for twenty years
under the supervision Of the deceased General
Orlando Smith, He and his employees always
agreed. After his death Mr.. Burdlck filed his po-
Burdick attempted to reduce the wages of
the men twenty-five per cent The men i'm.
themselves into protective union, and submitted
their constitution to Mr.. Burdck, who accepted ip,
and agreed they should commence work accord
ingly. The quarrfes now known as the Rhode
Island Granite Works had been some months in
operation Mr. George Ledward being proprietor.
At the same time Mr. PATTERSON, the present owner
OF the Rhode Island Granite Works, contracted
with the proprietors OF Westerly for the erection Of
a soldiers monument on the memorable field OF
Gettysburg. disagreement ensuing Mr.. Led
ward was asked and induced to carve the monu-
ment. Here commenced Mr.. Batters0ns connec-
tion with se granite quarries OF Westerly. In 1869
Mr. Patterson employed Mr. Saller to carve the
figure q hn 20 on o ara aes MT snef
q stonecutter." Mr. Ledward was asked to dis
Mr. SULLIVAN accused Mr. PATTERSON Of stating
falsely in the HERALD issue Of Thursday, June 20,
that the men struk against the employment OF
more than one apprentice to ten j0urneymen, Sell
ler's case being alleged the true cause. Moreover,
the constitution limited Mr.. Patterson to oee ap
prentice for every fifteen paid men, and that in
case oJ alteration sixty days notice should be
given. Mr. saer being afterwards. discharged
son, he said complained that In January 1871.
this agreement was violated but the organization
positively say no, that the constitution altered
according to right, and due notice given the pro-
prietors-to wit, placing the new constitution In
the hands of Mr. Patterson, and was accepted
by him, but violated before the following
December, he having an excess OF apprentices In
his employ. committee was then sent to walt on
Mr. Ledwfck, agent to Mr. Patterson, to have the
case remedied. Mr.. Ledwick gave some plausible
excuses and promised to increase the number OF
ourneymen, which he failed to do. He was evi-
dently determined to force a strike. On his conduct
being further questioned he fell back on
| the old constitution. Then, April, 1871, COM
menced the long strike. which was peace:
| able throughout, though Mr.. Battison accused
| with railway trafiic, &c. This Mr.. Sullivan pro-
tested to be Incorrect. 10 is true they explained
the matter to new employees and succeeded In con-
vncing them as to refuse employment, saying to
Mr. PATTERSON they desired work. but did not wish
to enslave their fellow men, MT PATTERSON falling to
| force the men to commit violence, indicted dfty