The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-10-13

They simply agreed 20 quit work, and then let every
shin for himself Again. some Of the leading men
told that the people not only did not look for other
employment, but rejected IT, Many OF them might
have found work among the farmers Of the region but
told me- 81 have men on the street without
a meal OF victuals boots their feet, but they
would not dig potatoes cIoan up ground They are,
l said, mostly English, and Irish trained in Ianca
shire and they have hclpessness in such matters
which an American cannot understand perhaps
make allowance for. This acknowledged to me by
one OF their leaders, who aid:--"Thoy know only
weaving, and nothing else, and they regard It as
their only work they put their children into It as their
successors and they will starvc rather than do any
thing else" imagine the spirit Of the English trade
unions has something with it, too, which teaches
that has vested right in bis trade and right
10 live by it.
The factory population OF Fall River differs
from that Of almost, if not quite, every
other New England factory town. it consists
SO largely OF Lancashire people. There are
among them good many able men--men trained to
reason and to speak in pubc-and these tenacious
Of what they imagine their rights apt to be dsputa-
tious; little impracticable, l should think. Thus
was told OF a man holding very good place and not
connected with the union at all He stopped work
when his fellows stopped, and not only this he still
holds out He will not sign the obligation not to form
union, though he did not belong one and does not
wish 10 join II is a matter of principle with
him, and he is in want and suffers contcntedy for
this principle. Now, | do not think the mill
owners were wise in exacting this condition. which
is keiy moreover to be evaded in dsngenuous
why which will keep bad blood alive between the
crs ana their operatives think they could nave bot
ter carried their point by concatory means and they
had already sufficiently Inundated the strikers But
what remark about tho man spoke Of above is that
he remains in FAN River; he does not attempt any
other work; he is simply Fall River weaver and
stands and suffers that ground II he had the
he would, perhaps, return to England many of the
strikers did; but he would be only there An
American, it seems to me, would be less puncious
If his necessities pressed BIN he would accept the
dtons, quietly do his work we'll but with tho detor-
mnaton to get out of tho business as soon as he had
saved enough to himself away | cannot help
but think that the American would show the greater
pride and independence by his course could not but
compare the of these English with that of the
negroes as have them in the cotton States IL
happens, of course that the negro sometimes makes
bad bargain with tho land owner finds himself under
rude or dishonest man. What he does is to work
quietly till the season is done and the crop gathered
and then he moves away. He does not strike, or
grumblc, so to law lie pockets the oss-puts It to
the account of experience gained seeks another
place or perhaps another State Now his wisdom is
shown in This that the Southern negro has taught not
only himself but tho white also, lesson that the
laborcr is as necessary to the employer the
poyer to the aborcr II man is determined to work
in a Fall River cotton mill at all hazards, he
necessarily gives the Fall River mill owner an
advantage him. When | said this much
IN in Fall ptvor ntI.a Ia
Piled GAY, but too poor to move away; we
owe money, mayhap; and whore shall we goP" But the
answer is "My friend, we cannot all, at all times, do
what would best please IL you are dependent to-
day. make the best Of it, what you can keep your
eyes open; don't grumbc, and make up your mind that
as soon MS you can you will stop weaving and do
thing else, MS weaving docs not seem to be the
comfortable thing for you" Unfortunately no cannot
that He means to he weaver, and at The bottom
Of his heart he stoutly believes that the world owes
him such a living he fancies by weaving and that
IL he does not get it somebody is wrongng him in some
vexatous way which he cannot explain understand.
OF efforts plans to become their own masters by
cooperative attempts, could hear talk among these
people There cooperative store in Fall River
and it has had Cor years, believe, successful
But energetic Boston grocer has come down
and managed undcrsclI tho operators aud these
have gone of to him, where they can buy cheapest
Indeed it seemed to me that there but little sign
OF organizing talent among the leaders, and this makes
it matter Of greater regret that the mil owners have
not undertaken to influence by kindness rather
than to anagonize their people. 1t seemed to me
that little consideration for thcm-some signs that
there disposition to good feelng-would have
been good investment The HERALD heard very
gratefully spoken of especially for its suggestion that
the operatives should employ skilled and honest ad-
wiser. But they Will scarcely even do that As one
said to me- they will work and growl, when they
they will strike again and, far as sec no
more wisely than before. For tho present they have
enough to do to prepare for the winter and pay their
debts 1t was not pleasant to TO hear that soma
families much as 5000 must reserve to an.
other letter further particulars about the present
ccGditior of the cotton industry.
CHARLES NoRDHoFF