The New York herald., 1877-10-15
THE CIGARMAKERS' STRIKE.
THOUSANDS OF CIGAR MAKERS IN COUNCIL
TEN THOUSAND PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE

THOUSANDS OF CIGAR MAKERS IN COUNCIL
TEN THOUSAND PERSONS ENGAGED IN THE
sTRIKE-THE STRIKE SPREADING.
The strike OF tho cigarmakers OF this city and
vicinity began about seven weeks ago. II was for
somo days confined to one two manufactures, but
II now reaches large proportions. II is estimated
there are from twenty thousand to twenty two thou
sand cigarmakers In New York, Brooklyn Jersey
City and that 10, 900 OF these strike. Yes
terday large mass meeting or the strikers and those
who are in sympathy with them held At Germania
Hall. Bowery. The meeting lasted from two O'Clock
to halfpast five, and during that time II was thought
that nearly i've thousand persons visited tho hall
Many Will be surprised TO learn that than one
half OF the cisarmakers Of this city women and
girls, and probably about five hundred OF these wcre
present at tho mass meeting yesterday. There were
speeches IN English, German and Bohemian AT ono
time two meetings wero In progress, a temporary
platform having been erected in tho east wing
of the great hall. The meeting was iuIl
OF enthusiasm, some Of the speaking in regard
and part roso to the point Of genuine eloquence
When the meeting opened probably threc.quarers
OF the men present were smoking cigars A request
from the platform that smoking be not INDUCED iu
was looked upon as curious thing Tor o convention
OF clgarma kers, ana tho request not generally
complled with. Lager flowed freely, but there
good order.
THE ADDRESSES.
The meeting was called TO order by Mr.. vande-
poortcn, aud Mr.. Daniel Harris chosen chairman.
In brol speech the chairman stated the obJec Of
the meeting. and then introduced Mr J. Paida, who
spoke III Bohemian. advising the cgarmakers TO put
aside all feeling born of nationality and TO organ
under head with their fellow craftsmen OF what
evor cline He stated the measures proposed by the
Each shop which employs 800 hands ana 10 elect
three delegates and from the snops where less
Der are employed one delegate to be elected; some Of
the smaller shops to combine IN the election Of dole-
gates; these to form the Executive Board OF tho
Cigarinakers' Union.
REVELATION FOR SMOKERS.
Mr.. samuel Gompers, President OF Union No la, OF
the Cigarmakers International Union OF America,
then made AN address IN English He spoke oi tho
cigarmakcrs, whereby the pay Is now almost
point, and then commented upon the evils OF
the tenement house system OF cigar manufacture by
which the people arc compelled 10 work IRON sixteen
to eighteen hours a day, Sundays included, sleeping
and eating in tho small rooms where the cigars
made. tns system not only breeding disease among
the people thus employed, but liable to bc The
ot carry contagon 10 those Who the cgars
Cases, he said, have been known TINS CITY where
persons barely recovered IRON smallpox have been
gagged IN making cigars In lenement housea lie advo
Gated The union Of all the cigarmaker claiming that
among its Dement'S would be tno education o. The work
ing regard TO their rights aud interests Ho
bitterly criticised the statement said TO have been
made by oil the manufacturers that Tor tho
last two years he had not made a dollar pront
Mr.. 5trasser, President OF the Cgarmakers' Inter
national Union oil America ana editor oil the Cigar
makers ODcidt Journal, made a speech, IN German,
referring the trade unions as the practical factors
In the all-absorbng question OF labor capital
beng the great OF defence against the
ments OF empioyers.n Mrs. Halser made an address,
IN bohemian treating principally OF tho OWLS Of
tenement house system Of cigar manufacture, IN which
every body, from the grandfather 10 tho babe.
maker OF cigars, and which tended much To the
oegradation OF women. she spoke ooqncntiy and was
heartily applauded. Another lady spoke IN bohemian.
Addresses were made in English by Messrs. Wander
poorlen, j. y. Mcdonnell, H. Hexter and Jonn Nc.
Nay, lateiy the President OF the SIX Woavors' Union
OF Paterson; and by Mr M Jonas aua John Moranele
in Bohemian, Mr. LOUIS Borincr, financial secretary
OF Union 145, presided at the smaller meeting
THE STRIKE SPREADING.
committee appeared upon tho platform, repre-
seating the employees OF Mcssrs sutro * Nowmark,
who reported that tho workmon mad IN a meeting tbat
day concluded 10 demand 81 more on eacn Thousand
u sars made for that firm. THIS anuoun ncemcnt was
received with great applause. The chairman called
attention TO the report In The press OF the settling OF
tho strike OF Martinez Co, corner oil Rivingon and
Attorney strcots and said that the report untrue
and advlsed all clgarmakers TO stay away IRON the
factory. IL was reported that after OF seven
weeks the irn OF NJ stackebcrg Co, Nos. % aud
~ Liberty street. had yielded aud tnc 70 work
TO day. Tho speakers seemed 10 be confident oil tue
na complete success OF the strike and that would
not only sweep tue city, but stir up tho cigarnakers
all over the country TO demanI "living' wages