The Van Buren press., 1875-10-05
The Fail River Mills Strike.


were to have been opened on the twenty
seventh inst. at the ten per cent. reduc
ton The operatives had determined to
yield and go to work. Now, however,
the manufacturers demand that every
operative, before going to work, must
sign the following conditions:
First-That but one eighth Of the en-
ployees of any room shall give notice to
leave at any one time, which notice shall
be written ten days in advance, and that
ten days shall SO elapsc between the no
tice of every eighth from each depart
ment.
Sccond--That but one otce from any
mill or other room, shall be sent at any
one date.
Third--That all the employees bind
themselves to separate from all organza
tions and associations that may attempt
to Interfere with the hours ef work or
amount of wages
Fourth-Any violation of the condi
tions to result in the Instant dismissal
from the mills Of Fall River.
The operatives are determined not to
sign the document. SDnaers, weavers,
and carders are all alike on this question
They regard this movement of manufac
turers as a tacit ackno wlcdgmcnt that
will further reduce the wages of the help
within two weeks after the men go in
These conditions mean simply to place
the men beyond the possibility of further
resistance. At the Border City Mills
about one-half the hands have signed at
least the overseers say so, and that they
will surely start OH Monday. In the 9th
er mills, however, where they employ
eight hundred to one thousand hands
not more tnan thirty'or forty have signed
which is insufficient to keep even the
smallest mill at work
a dispatch of the 9th, says: Abont
elevea o clock about one thousand ope.
ratives gathered in and around Market
square. near the city bali, dsmanding re
lief. The mayor attempted to address
them, but failing to obtain hearing, he
ordered the police to dispense the crowd
being in some instances compelled to ex-
hiblt revolvers, stones and bread were
thrown by the crowd The police made
six arrests. The mayor has called upon
Col, Daval, of he Third Regiment for
assistance, who has notified companies
b und D. Of this city, to assemble at
headquarters Immediately, and also call
ed additional companies of his regiment
from the neighboring cities. Largs mum,
bers of the operatives would 60 to work
could they be assured of protection. or
the seventeen spinners who signed the
agreement only six are at work, hayiHr
been threatened with violence The ope
ratives have lost sympathy by to day S
proceedings
The mob assaulted some OF the linen
mill operatives at noon, and one Girl
was cut on the head with a stone The
police were sent to the scene, and the
crowd promptly dispersed Two com.
panies Of the Third regiment have arriv
ed from Taunton.
LATEST
There is little change in the status of
the he lp at the mills. Te. thousand were
present 1T the operatives mass meeting
in the park, this afternoon 1t was voted
to petition the manufacturers to withdraw
the obnoxious agreements. Several com
mittees met this evening to carry out this
plan If it fails, Il call is to be made for
a grand mass meetiag at Fanueil hall
The Boston operatives believe they can
gain the sympathy of all No interler-
ference with the operatives as they came
from work this evening Everything is
very quiet on the streets I'he militia
are stationed at the different p'iuts in
the city where the disturbances are antic-
ipated. 1t is thought that the trouble is
by no means over. The mayor refuses
to interfere in the differences between the
manufacturers and operatives, but is de
termined to maintain peace and order at
all hazards.
FALL RIVER Sputnmhcr %