The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-24

The Strike. Immense Meeting of the
Moline workingmen. An Enthusi-
astic but Orderly Gathering.


Moline workingmen. An Enthusi-
astic but Orderly Gathering.
All day long rumors were rife on the
streets as to the probable action of the
Moline workingmen. Many and varied
we're the statements and as the day wore
on the excitement increased until it be-
came the all absorbing topic. In the stores,
on the corners, in the saloons, everywhere
you went, 1t was the only theme. A
meeting had been arranged to be held at
Freia Hall, last evening ut 8 o'clock, and
considerable anxiety was expressed as to
the result. Long before the hour an
nounced, the hall was packed, the galleries
filed and at 8 o'clock every available
space was occupied, even the window stills
were filed, while from without crowds
lined the side of the building to catch the
speeches from the stage. 1t was the
largest gathering ever held in the hall.
The meeting organized by electing Louis
Beers, president, Benton Davis, Vice Pres
ident, Frank Burns, Secretary.
After few remarks by the president
and one or two others in relation to object
of the meeting, a committee of five con-
sisting OF the following persons, were ap-
pointed to draw up set of resolutions:
w. r. Oyler, Thos. Quilry, Patsy Bar
den. Frank 2. Burns. A. M. Sypher.
While the committee was out, speeches
were in order and a number present de-
livered short addresses.
Geo. Flickinger urged firearms, and
united action. The workingmen had been
oppressed for years and it was time
capitalists were taught lesson. He coun-
selled moderation but urged all to stand
solid for their rights.
A. Murrey, and several others made
short speeches, none of an inhammatory
character, however.
Loud calls were made for August Palmer,
who finally responded and was carried to
the stage amid 6eafening cheers from the
excited crowd in attendance, He spoke
in the Swedish language and made some
good points; urged moderation, was OPP
posed to destroying property, but urged
all to stand up nobly for the right. A
the conclusion of mis- speech he was loudly
applauded.
| Merritt Starr. son of }. G. Starr. wa
called on and made a speech, in which b.
endeavored to show that the interests o
the capitalist and laboring man were iden
teal; that what benefited capital, encour
aged labor; that although labor was cheal
it was because capitalists could not pa
more for it, He was frequently inter
rupted during his speech. but held hi
r ground until he had explained his views
: 1t was not we'll received, however, an
/ during the speech, he was several time
/. Kissed. The spirit of the meeting was or
t posed to anything bordering on to sym
e patty with capital, and would not liste
p patiently to speeches of that class.
t The committee on resolutions having r.
turned, reported the following which wei
adopted amid widest enthusiasm:
r RESOLVED, That we, the citizens of Nj
line, do believe that the late 10 per cen
reduction is unealled for. and that we, ii
: laboriug men, cannot support our familit
u on the present pay, and the tendencies al
= evil, and we believe it better for employs
II and employees that the reduction be de
= clared null and void.
ReSolced, That we request the differel
/ firms in this city to withdraw the 10 p'
cent. reduction made on their employees.
lie ReSolUed, That there shall be no furth
a reduction between the present time al
u June lst, 1878.
III Resolved, That committee of two
3 appointed to wait upon each firm that ha'
Is made reduction, to see if they will o
,e replace the 10 per cent. recently TAX
=. from their men.
" The following committee were appoir
s, ed to visit Deere & Co.: Geo. Cromwa
10 g. W. King and D. Stewart; Moline Pic
s. Company: Henry Truxal and Pat Borde
- Union Maleable Iron Company: Thorn
Guilty and Benton Davis; Malleable lr
Works: !. Roy and NJ. Kegan; William
E. White & Co: Frank Burns and H. Woo
lie Keator & Son: Andrew Wickstrum a
/ E. Co emark; Dimock, Gould 4 O.
~ Robert Lynde and Andrew Shields; Ba
SO nard, Leas & Co.: John Cornwall and
Oh McDermont; Wagon Company, Nj. F
Gibson and E. Shofa; E. B. Beers & q
~ Oscar Berlin and Hugh Mckay; PAP
y Mill MIR. Ellington and Mr.. AndersC
CT After few remarks by some of t
ay committee, the meeting adjourned to me
- at the same place tonight. 1t will be
unusually large one and viii be watch
with intense interest