The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-20
A Visit to the scene of the
Trouble.
MISERIES OF THE LAB0RER's LIPE
Peasant Life in Rich and Happy
England.
THE HERALD AND ITS INFLUENCE.
BURY 81. EpAUNDs, Nav 2e. 1874,

widespread suuerlng throughout these Eastern
counties In Lincolnshire, the farmers, listening
20 the wise counsels of one OF their number have
thrown their jealousy OF union dictationn to the
winds, and have met the accredited representa-
tves OF the laborers, Messrs. Morley and Dixon
members OF Parliament with whom they have en-
gagged IN friendly conference After short and
slightly animated discussion they have unani-
mously resolved that thenceForth, so far as the
county OF Lincoln Is concerned, the lockout shall
Immediately cease. The dispute in Lincoln how
ever, has been mlder one than that in the coun-
ties OF Suffolk and Cambridge. In Lincoln, the
men were locked out because their en-
ployers objected TO three rules OF the Labor
League, which, as the farmers understood
them, linked the laborers in conspiracy
20 take advantage of their masters during harvest
ing. These three rules have now, on the recon-
mendation Of Messrs. Morley and Dixon been modl-
Ned by the adoption OF phraseology less open to
vague and captIous criticism. Tue farmers on the
other hand, and by way OF reciprocity for the will
hngness shown by their men, declare that they
now recognize the right OF the laborers to COM
bine and will not hereafter fight with them on the
abstract issue as to whether or not the agrcul-
tural laborers have the right to unite for
their social amelloraton which artisans in towns,
miners and most otner workmen already exercise
uRmolested. This concession, on which the men
are very Juoiant, Is, after all, rather sDadowy
one, inasmucn as the farmers. while admitting the
right OF combination, claim the power OF revising
and altering the rules of the organization. How
ever, both the men and the masters seem heartily
pleased with the arrangement and there has been,
In consequence, a general resumption OF work
throughout the county of Lincoln to-day. In the
snires OF Suffolk and Cambridge, however, it
b the simple right OF combination which is
there have sworn to extirpate the union.
Unionism per has been and is the sole Obj ect of
their attack. 1t is clear, therefore, that any con-
cession similar TO that made by their brethren in
Lincolnshire would be an absolute surrender OF
their position. Anything so lngorious they declare
they cannot for moment entertain. Messrs. Nor
ley and DIXON have been politely told to mind their
OWN business and that any further interference
Will be resented as piece OF impairment inter-
meddling. SO matters are at present in as unsat-
isiactory position as they were ten weeks ago
when the general lockout commenced. 1t would
be impossible to exaggerate the stubborn logged
ness OF these East Anglican farmers. Each OF them
is in his way typical John Bull as You see that
bucolic individual depicted from week to week
in the pages OF Punch. .Yield TO these fellows,
said one OF them the other day mo sir; although
every crop In the country should go to ruin,
we wont naul down our colors' AS most OF them,
are either wealthy or backed By wealthy landlords
1t Is easy to see how stern struggle may yet he
waged before we have an end to the lockout The
men themselves do not to-day present undi
vided a front as they did few weeks ago. wearied
with waiting and demoralized by long stretch Of
enforced likeness, some OF them talk doubtiuiy or
their prospects, while few have given up their
union tickets and resumed work on the Old condl-
lions. Others have grown testy and il-natured,
and sash,
land and the landowners. Their delegates are
daily spiriting them on to continued opposition
but they are rapidly firing of empty defamation
1t il hard say they, eking out subsistence on
uine shillings week. Hungry men in this coun-
try. as IN Others soon become desperate men, ana
crave stronger excitement than that derived from
listening to the stale plattudes of hack orators.
Yesterday evening visited a wayside public
noted as one OF the leading resorts OF the 'locked
out" This rendezvous is plain, unpreten-
tous hosiery, picturesquely set amid beech trees
and close to where 'four roads meet There is
nothing very remarkable about its exterior save
the gigantic sgnDoard suspended over the door
and whose unmelodious creakings in high wind
are excruclating enough. A creamy -colored
quadruped, with elongated limbs and tispro-
p0rtionate body, painted on this wooden banner
1rreeistIoly recalled another "White Horseu to be
Dickens IN his immortal "Picswick styled "a ram
pagious animal, with flowing name and tail. dis
family resembling an insane cart horse.n Here in
long, low-rooied, poorly furnished room, found
about two dozen laborers seated at rough deal
tables, which had evidently been subjected to
much ingenious whiting and were indented with
the initials OF many village rustcs, who have
chosen this cheap method OF procuring immor-
tally. Glasses filed with q red, muddy looking
ale were the tables. The liquid did not seem an
inviting one. II was cheap enough. however cost
ing only three cents per glass. There was tum-
ble-down air about the whole surroundings which
impaired a melancholy aspect 10 the assemblage
The chairs were ricKety, the stone nooring was
Jagged and uneven, the window panes were
patched with brown paper, and one OF the two
solitary candestieks was bandaged with a
piece OF whip cord. The men kept the
furniture in countenance. They looked gloomy
and disp1rted scarcely word passed. and the
drinking was the most funerea tipping ever wit
messed Three ana sometimes four men were
sharing single glass between tnem slipping its
contents with the utmost parsrnony and onIy
placing the liquor to their lips after long intervals
Poor fellows the pinched condition or their purses
prevents any more extravagant debauchery. The
foriorn aspect of the scene reminded one OF the
celebrated French picture OF sThe Last Cartouche.u
recalling all the intensity ofits despair and the hone.
lessness Of the sheer exhaustion that painting so
viVdly portrays. Fortunately, a new arrivaI'
brought animation to the scene, although he did not
athrst seem likely TO bring either life or hope
10 the gathering. The new conner was a tail thin
d INDIVIDUAL, over sixty years or age, with gray
grizzieu hair and most morose expression OF
countenance He was habited In the seediest of
snur-colored suits from which all the surface mad
long since been brushed away, and he carried
bulky black leather yalise, which mad evidently
seen much service in It's day. lie was received
with great heartiness IL soon transpired that he
was an itinerant tea pedler, always wen posted
in the. "Lunnunn news, ever willing co read
the newspapers TO the men, and who had already
donated on sundry occasions small tea packages 70
the more needy Of many sorey pressed families
AZ the evening wore on ! took more kindly to
YalIse | .ron