The New York herald., 1874-02-24
THE WORKING GIRLS STRIKE.

Immense Mass Meeting OF the Female
OPeratfves-Mills Silent and Deserted
Male Orator Exciting Feminine
Frenzy-The Employers In Council.
PHILADELPHIA, Feb. %, 1874
An immense mass meeting of the employees OF
the Kensngton cotton and woonen mills was
held to-day in the old Thompson street church.
The large number present filled the church to
overnowing, while the street outside was jammed
from curb to curb. 1t Is no exaggeratlon to state
that 5000 persons were in attendance, two-thirds
Of the whole number being females.
RIOTOUs FEMALES.
The meeting was by no means quiet or orderly
one those present INDUCING in all sorts OF rotous
demonstrations. After the ordinary business had
been transacted the following resolution was read,
vocferousiy applauded and adopted unanl-
mously:-
Whereas we, the employees Of the several cotton and
w9ollen Arms o. Kensngton and vicinity.
in consequence OF the financial derangement and the
sss 1 esri as
coptnsanee the present % rate Of wages sSereore
aesSyed That we the employees Of the several cotton
TO Ss AND IL Gns su 50
which Is right Just and reasonable.
That 70 as the prices arc now receiving are
@ od un a ose aSa "n to nrssa for
sweat Of their brow should Just and fair conpen.
sation for their labor Therefore we appeal TO the wis
ing public who when condition fairly understood,
Will not refuse to grant US their appreciation.
NO COMPROMISE.
All the mills of Kensington are now silent, while
from the above resolution it is evident that O
compromise cannot be possibly effected, and that
the girls are likely to remain unemployed lor q
long time to come.
The numper Of factories and hands now idle Ia
denoted in the following hst:-
James Welsh 4 Son, 15O hands.
James James bbsns bsss sF2 soss g. aS bands
James Noen, l60 hands.
William Beatty. SO hands.
James Scantlin, 100 hands.
James Murray, IA hands.
irwin II StinSOn. $50 hands.
Thornton Smith, $50 hands.
James p. Bruner, IS hands.
Robert Maher Is hands.
Samuel Clark Son, 40 hands,
Porter Dlckey (Howard and Norris streets,
$50 hands.
Porter 4 Dickey (rwenty.nrst and Ordane
streets, 40 hands.
PArRoNIzINa MAN.
During the course of this excited meeting the
President introduced Mr.. Andrew Black, whom he
designated as the workingman's friend. He was
received with applause, and the substance of
his remarks was as fonows:-"I urge upon
you to stand by what is strictly right.
demands SO reasonable that il you stand firm your
employers will yield to your wishes. When the
country to the other you atceded to the reduction
OF your wages without uttering single murmur.
Taking advantage OF a Willingness upon your part
your employers upon the advent OF llvelier
trade would have you work at the same reduced
rate still. The tissues and fabrics of the loom now
IN the market meet with ready sale, their prices
have advanced and the demand Tor them Increases
daily. Shall not, therefore, the hands who work
THESE looms be paid in figures prOportionately
TO the products OF their tollY Certainly And yet
your employers refuse to admit this and refuse to
pay you the iull wages which your work is worth.
therefore say to you. since your demand Is both
human and Just, do not yield one single inch.'
STRENGTHENING THE CAUSE.
The gentleman's address was very long, but the
analysis Of the whole Is briefly recapitu,aJed in the
stanty interrupted by the most vehement indica-
tiOns OF approval while it also became evident that
as the speaker proceeded he was gradually but
surely Strengthening the cause OF the strikers and
encouraging those who wavered to "stand out"
HEAVY REINFORCEMENTS.
A great sensation occurred after the above
speech had closed. A shout from those without
gave the word to those within, and lew mo-
ments later large delegation of working girls, in
military line, filed iutO the church and stated that
Twenty-frst street. but that they had just ceased
work, and wished to be considered as members OF
the meeting then in session.
MASCULINE NOISINESS.
ExultaDS cries and yells arose from all sides: the
girls were excitedy welcomed, and so earnest and
interrupted Tor fully ten minutes
There was nothing OF any consequence effected
at the gathering this morning, beyond the state
mept OF the intentions OF the strikers and their
refusal to return to their looms under the de-
Quoted per centage is replaced. Other meetings are
announced for the future, and the proprietOrs of
the diferent mills will also meet and discuss the
situation.