The workingman's advocate., 1873-12-20

The CRIsPISs' Mass MEETING.-In pursu-
ance to a call issued by Lodge 7, X. o. s. c.,
a mass meeting of the Knights Of st. Crispin
was held on the afternoon of the l4th, at
Crispin Hall, Rice's building Dearborn street.
Mr. Griffith was called to the chair, and Mr.
Morgan acted as secretary. Uupon taking
his seat Mr.. Griffith stated the object
of the meeting was to consider the
action of Messrs Henderson 4 Co, in reduc-
ing the wages of their hards. He hoped
there would be fair and candid expression
on the part Of the men working in Messrs.
Henderson & Cos factory, as they were the
men who most interested, and that what
ever action would he taken it would be
prompted by prudence and moderation.
Several members addressed the meeting in
favor Of resisting the reduction, and taking
immediate action.
Brother Baxter made a very eloquent and
stirring speech, interspersed with a lively
sprinkling { humor He carried his listen
ers back, in imagination, to the days when at
the dead hour of night you would hear the
tap, tap, tap of the shoemaker's hammer, un-
til old St Crispin could stand it no longer,
and he rose in his might and lifted his sons
to a higher position in the scale Of social ex-
istence 1t was now attempted to bring them
back to that lower scale OF degradation, but
he had every reason to believe the attempt
would be failure He quoted from the
scripture to justify their position saying that
if they would wait and watch the glorious
time was before them, and it would return
Mr Baxter alluded to the operations Of snp-
ply and demand, arguing that it. nature was
such that the reaction would more than make
amends for the present stagnation. Mr..
Baxter closed his remarks with an eloquent
A.. . - a. &C.
Brother B. J. Murphy next addressed the
meeting, reviewed the cause of the panic,
cOntending that the money with which the
business of the country was conducted, for
the last twelve years was not an expOrtable
money; that foreign countries did not want
it, and would not have it, therefore it was in
the country and boarded up. The working
people of the county were not responsible
for the present panic, and the manufacturers
and others were not justified in reducing the
price Of labor at the present time. In speak
ing Of foreign workingman who emigrated
to this country he said if they did not come
here to better their condition-to take more
elevated position in the scale of our social
society, they had better stay at home, for if
they permitted it they would be reduced to
lower grade of semi-slavery than that which
they had left behind them. He spoke in Sc
we're language Of the Messrs. Henderson, and
cauticned the men against any hastY action
A conversational discussion followed, as to
what action should be taken. Brothers
Roach, Wheatley, Doyle, Mathews. Scohey
and Meagher participated in the discussion.
Brother Doyle was humorously elos aent
Brother Roach was opposed to any hasty ac-
ton; he was fn favor Of q committee being
appointed, the men. Brother Mehean was
favor Of waiting until the first Of January be
fore taking any decisive steps. Brother
Wheatlcy wanted to know what reasons the
Brother had for waiting until that time A
good deal of cross-fring was indulged in by
the speakers, when the following resolution
offered by Brother Murphy, was adopted.
Resolved, That we recommend that a com
mittee be appointed to notify the members Of
the Order Of X. 0. s. c.. working in Mr..
Riley's team, in Hendersons factory, that
they are violating the laws and principles Of
the order; also, that the said committee
request the aforesaid members to attend a
special meeting of the lodge at such time as
may be designated, or be suspended from the
| order.
The meeting then adjourned to meet at 10
o'clock Monday morning. At 10 o'clock on
Monday morning the members Of the lodge
met in their room. The opening Of the lodge
was proceeded with in the usual form, after
winch committee was appointed, and the
lodgr adjourned to meet ON tonight.