The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-02-28
CITY MATTERS.
CHICAGO, FEBRUARY 81, 1874.
The Crispins' Lock Out.


The Crispins of this City who have been
locked out during the past week, have issued
the following circular TO their fellow crafts
men, explanatory of the merits Of the contro-
versy. 1t reads as follows
FELLOW WoRKINGMEN In consequence Of
geAeral lockout Of our trade Ia this city,
and as in all cases where workingmen are az
grieved by the greedy demands of their en-
ployers, we are unable to combat them alone,
we therefore appeal to your generosity and
brotherly feeling to assist us in maintaining
our defense against the nefarious despotism Of
a few unprincipled capitalists.
From the popularity of our case it has be-
come widespread, and it is, therefore, only
necessary that we should state the case in
brief About the LIST Of Dec, 1873, the man
uf4cturers reduced our already low wages from
80 to 10 per cent, reducing our wages so low
that it was impossible to procure the necessa-
ries Of life at the time we made an effort to
resist, but of no avail the men were unpre-
pared for a strike, especially against the unit
ed force Of capital, as you must all know that
the Boot and Shoe manufacturers are united
for mutual protection they say-meaning
the crushing of the labOring men.
One Of the principal firms in this city, not
satisfied with the enormous margin wrcsted
from the workingmen, and believing that the
spirit of manhood had been crushed out of
them, resolved to snatch still another crumb
from their scanty fare, by refusing to pay the
same price for certain class of work as other
manufacturers were doing. The result was
strike Of that class of wOrkmen. A few days
after, at meeting of all the shoemakers, all
the workingmen of that shop mutually agreed
to cease work until former prices were re-
stored Their resolution was Endorsed by
the shOemakers, who agreed to contribute to
their support until they succeeded.
This strike continued ten days, when the
manufacturers becoming aware Of the plan we
had adopted to regain our rights, resolved not
to employ any person who would not submit
to the following terms:
THE CONDITIONS.
No. l. Are you satisfied to work at the
present prices:
No. 2. viii you agree not to strike on
these prices
No 8. Will you agree not to contribute,
either directly or indirectly, to the support Of
the men who refuse to work at these prices
No. 4. Will you agree not TO encourage
other men to strike!
A refusal to accede to the above propositions
BY every man in the city except three res lifted
in a general lockout, involving $50 men in
the loss of employment, two-thirds Of whom
have others depending upon them for support.
Further comment on such degrading prop
ositions is scarcely necessary.
The SUPERINTENDENT or THE NORTH WEST
STATION Of the Post Office Of this city, Mr..
Geo. w. Lowering, is winning golden opinions
by his urbanity and attention to business.
This Office, located at 562 Milwaukee Ave
nue., is great advantage to those parties who
have heretofore been compelled to 60 two or
three miles for their mail, and is a boon which
is duly appreciated
TIE CooPERs.-We regret to learn that
work in the coOpering trade is duller in Chi
cago than it has been for the past seven years,
especially in tight work and that wages are
lower than they have been since 1858. The
wages Of those engaged in slack work have
not been reduced, but work ut this branch Of
the business in almost ut q stand-still Yet il
it not somewhat singular that while the slack
workmen retain their old wages, even under
the most adverse circumstances, that the tight
workmen do not receive, by one-third, their
former prices? No, it isn't strange at all.
One class Of men have manhood, backbone,
and Union the other have neither, and
don't know what Union means.
A RIDICULOUS CusToM.-It has got to b
the custom nowadays, whenever murderer
ia sentenced to the gAllOws, 9 thief TO the psni
tentiAry, or . vAgAbOnd TO the bridewell, foI
whom sympathy may be felt, for some one Oh
other to rush rO-nd to few bank cashiers Of
gamblers onthe board Of trade-christen then
our prominent" citizens, and give their view
at length As to the prcpriety or imprcpriety o
the action shout TO be taken. This 10 dom
with such RGiVette that the outside public m
led to belive that these men really contro
public opinion, or are recognized - represent
alive men, when the truth of the matter ID
the public care - little for their opinions o
for the opinions Of the man in the moon. Tn
whole system 10 getting to be stencil in tn
nOstris Of honest men, The opinion Of tn
hamblest mechanic in the humblest workshol
in the city Of Chicago, who sarns hin living B,
honest toll, Is Of infinitely more importanc