Wilmington daily commercial., 1872-12-10
An Incident Of tho Boston Fire,

From the New York Independent. December 81
More than thirty years ago a business firm
engaged in the leather trade in Boston. From
small beginnings it became prominent and sue
cessful Some years ago it established, IN a
town near the city, works for tanning and curry
ing, in which it has for several years employed
more than one hundred men. Some of these
men have been in their employment more than
twenty years. The senior member OF the firm
had served an apprenticeship, had learned a
trade, had toiled with his own hands, and in the
days of his success and prosperity as business
man he did not forget, As men too often do,
the tolls and trials which manual laborers who
work for wages have TO endure. he remem-
bered, too, that Christianity teaches that pro
perty, labor, all worldly possessions should be
consecrated to the service OF the Divine Master,
TO make this world better and brighter.
More than three years ago this hrm made
proposition to their workmen 70 divide among
them q certain percentage Of the profits OF their
business This was in no way to affect their
wages. Though little incredulous, the work
men gladly accepted the proffered promise, and
to show their appreciation Of the interest mani
tested in their welfare, nearly one hundred OF
them signed temperance pledge and Joined 10
orRanfzing temperance. association. AT the end
of the first year the eproprietors divided among
their workmen what was equal to half an hours
wages per day through the year. The workmen
were surprised and gratiied at the result, and the
hearts OF the employers were gladdened by wit
Messing during the next and the succeeding year
| a yelier interest ON the part OF the Wofkmen In
| the success of their business
Last week their portions Of the years profits
| amounting to six thousand dollars, which they
| 30 generously voted ro relinquish TO their em-
| ployers was divided among them. This Dusl-
| ness firm has been trying for three years very
important experiment. That the results have
| been satisfactory to to the workmen is proved
| by their generous action. The employers think
| they have reaped an. ample reward the profits
they have divided ia the Increased interest the
workmen manifested in the success q the busi-
ness and in the good they have shown in the
/ time of trial and misfortune 10 the trim. ss---
The second years business was not quite 80
successful and, Of course, less amouat was
| divided. From the third years's prohts the nrm
had set apart six Thousand dollars and the &C.
nior member OF the firm visited the workmen in
the latter part of the week Of the tre: and IN
| formed them that he should on the Following
Tuesday, divide among them that amount OF the
profits Of the business. On Saturday night the
fire broke out within short distance OF their
store, and before daylight that store and
Thousand of dollars in goods were consumed
Now the time came for the workmen TO mani1esl
their spirit, and show the fruit of the seed theil
employers had been sowing. Noble and grand
was the record they made. Promptly, and with
ont the knowledge of the firm, they held
meeting, at which they adopted these resolu
tiops aflE
ITO request their employers not to divide
among them the six Thousand dollars.
ITO loan or place at their disposal the sum O
about seven thousand dollars they had in bank
ITO allow them, IL it was necessary, to raise
money by mortgaging their own houses Tor tn
benefit of the firm"
These generous propositions and the proceed
ings of the meeting were signed by one hundre'
and eight workngmen and placed in the hand
of their employers. These employers, although
. they had lost thousands. yet needed not tn
, pecuniary aid and did not avail themselves O
the generous offer but they gladly received tn
, proffered testimonial OF the sympathy. conf
! denoe and hearty goodwill Of these men, wit
most of whom they had sustained business relt
i lations for many years.-Henry Wilson.