The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1877-07-26
OHIO AND MISSISSIPPI.
Vincennes Strikers Quiet But Deter
mined.

V1NcENNEs, IND, July ~. = Affairs
have been very quiet since last night
No freight trains have arrived since,
Nor has there been any attempt by the
officials to start trains from here, al
though last night it was thought there
would be. The strikers are sober,
quiet, and talk in earnest saying 1t is
Question of bread for themselves and
families, and express determination to
maintain their position, let the conse-
quences be what they may. 10 near
these men talk in their earnest, pathetc;
manner involuntarily causes one to feel
a sympathy for their cause. They say
they know their action is legally wrong
but their wrongs require desperate
measures, and that people who really
appreciate their circumstances will not
wholly misjudge them. There are some
fellows here Of not very good charac-
ter who are anxious to assist the strikers
but they receive the cold shoulder.
There are four other railroads which
pass through Vincennes, but no trouble
is anticipated on any except the Indian
apolis and Vincennes, which is under
the control of the an-Handle; and If
the men of that road go in the Indian
apolis and Vincennes will follow. The
following is the letter sent by the brake
men to Mr.. King, the Receiver: e.
V1NcENNES STATION, July 10, 1877,
Mr.. Tohn King, jun, Receiver Ohio
and Mississippi Railroad Company
"DEAR SIR: We the undersigned
Committee appointed by the brakemen
of this railroad, for the purpose of wait
ing upon you and representing our con-
dition under the new order reducing our
wages 10 per cent, would respectfully
lay the following facts in regard to our
position before you, with the ever pres
ent knowledge that ours is life of dam
ger beset with difficulties, showing to a
great extent the responsibility and care
of conductor and engineer with all risk
of life and the management OF trains
We feel assured that our plea will not
be in vain. AT the old rates of wages
paid to us, from actual statistics COM
piled for the purpose, are $24. Paying,
as we are obliged to, twenty cents a
meal, and where we can afford 1t the
same for a bed, our incidentals, wash:
ing and other bills, can not be met, and
consequently 60 to protest, and give the
men poor reputation for honesty, and
DESTROYING the effect Of rule in force
upon the road that employees not pay
ing their debts will be discharged,
Though we are getting very small wages
we are cut the same as men getting $75
and S1ooper month, no distinction being
made; although when mems lives and
the Company's interest are in peril these
same men cheerfully. in the performance
of duty, take their lives in their hands
and 90 forth to prevent accident.
Hoping that you are just, and that you
will consider our cause truly and well,
and that steadiness, honor and sobriety
are necessary qualifications, and that
you will not refuse to grant justice to
men who strive to possess them, we anx-
iOusly await yourreply.
THE COMMITTEE,
G. w. Ewing, Esq, an attorney Tor
the road, arrived here this morning and
Committee of freight 6remen. waited
on him and M. Sechler, M. M, at eight
o'clock this evening, asking that the old
wages be restored, and if not by six
o'clock in the morning they would join
the strikers. Their request could not be
acceded to. Therefore, all the firemen
at this point met the gentlemen, reiteraN
ting their determination, but nothing
could be promised them. So they will
ioin the strikers tomorrow. The pass
eneer 6remen are not engaged in the
| strike. 3H