The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-07-25

wanted them to 90 10 WORK at the reductlun
until they could consider the matter, or
times changed SO they could afford to ad
vance on the wages. This the men re-
fused to do. The Company promised to
send them written reply to their re-
quests before 3 o'clock this p. m, when
another secret meeting will be held at
FIR Ella Hall.
Lateral the secret meeting held
this afternoon communication from
Deere & Co., was received refusing
to make any concessions whatever. They
Deere & Co., agree to close the shop but
positively no restoration of old prices will
be made.
The meeting then adjourned to meet at
Z clock tomorrow morning sharp, Several
speeches were made and the utmost en-
thusiasm prevailed.
The workingmen's Rights.
The general. sympathy of this entire
community is with the laboring men in
their desire to have and receive just and
adequate remuneration for their services.
The sentiment of this community will sus-
tain them in all lawful and proper
measures to obtaine.a reasonable compen-
sation for labor. But men who feel
themselves impelled to strike, as being the
the only eficacious way in which they can
convince their employers of the absolute
necessity Of listening and acceding to their
demands, and by united action showing |
that the distress is not of one but all, must
bear in mind that each and every act of
violence, or destruction of property, or
coercive intimidation, are unlawful, use
less, and an Injury which reacts upon their
cause, and cannot possibly be sanctioned
or countenanced by law abiding citizens.
There seems to be no question of the
fact that large portion oe the men in
Deere & Co.'S employ, at Moline, are so
poorly paid that their rate of wages is
truthfully described by the term "Starva-
ton prices" They allege, and we have
no reason to doubt the statement, that
they cannot possibly keep the wolf from
t the door at present rates, and that instead
Of listening to their application for COM
pensation that would afford them the nee
essaries of life, they are treated with con-
tumely and their honest efforts to obtain
heaving and redress of their condition are
CURLY and Extensively repulsed.
, Workingmen, either single or in a body.
have the undoubted right to represent
their condition to their employers and
press the matter of compensation in re-
spectful manner upon their attention, and
they are entitled to fair hearing and re-
q spectful consideration in return. They
. are also entitled to such explanations from
: their employers as would show fairly the
reasons why they cannot comply with
t their request, namely, either that the
business itself absolutely could not afford
; the advance called for without loss and
e disaster to the stockholders, or that the
margin Of profit would be SO extremely
i small as not to be any guarantee against
casualties aud probable financial loss,
+ Or else that their refusal was based
upon an unwilliDgness to recognize the
J, propriety or consistency Of men long in
:. their employ suddenly quitting their
d work and leaving them embarrassed
in their operations, and attempting
|. by reason of such embarrassment
p to coercively attain their object; these ex
n plantations, or whatever the real reason
" may be, should be calmly, temporarily and
" frankly set FORTH so that both employers
aud employees may mutually understand
l. the nature of the grievances alleged, anC
m upon what grounds redress is denied
& If the company is financially unable to pay
better wages, such reason would com
h mand the acquiesence of reasonable mel
+ and the force of the refusal would instant
ii ly be acknowledged. If they say simpl!
n it is our right to pay such wages as vi
Is please, and if employees don't like the rat,
they can quit, then very few indeed would
sympathize 10 their behalf, or feel regre
II for the embarrassment to their bushes
which the threatened loss of labor nigh
entail No man with any soul in his body
under such circumstances, is going to ten
g. der them any sympathy, or protection 0
their property, beyond what they ar
IS obliged to do in behalf of peace, order, an
to obedience to law.
US The insoence of wealth is equally IN
all bearable with the insolence Of place an,
a power, and when men are uDjustly an
IN unrighteously ground down by the heel G
,e. oppression, beyond the point of reasons
he BILE regard for the interests and profits {
IN the employer, the general sympathy mus
he aud will be with the injured and oppressed
ed 1t is altogether too much the fashion, now
ire adays, to decry the worth and merits {
uGu as IL luoy HCA0 Ny
TO only fit for hewers of wood and drawers
nd water. There are men in our land, and
is no pleasure to US to make the remark
Il. there are men who have made their none
ng in manner that would make an intelligeI
er, hyena ashamed of himself, vet havin
lr. made it, presume to think they are some
lu- thing vastly superior to others of the rae
lle Their money does not make them so.
vas is one of the characteristics of Moliu
N, that she has large proportio
A. Of reading, thinking, and intelligent me
on, among those known as employees In he
lsh shops and manufactures, and that class
md men are entitled to be treated courteous
KS. and like intelligent men when they clai
Ing to have grievances and ask for redres
lay So long as the workingmen of Moline con
ere duct themselves in a peacable, quiet an
md orderly manner, and commit no acts whic
len the laws forbid, the general sympath
-ull will be absolutely in their favor. The
but must carefully bear in mind, howeve
vas that broad distinction must, and, wit
md law-abiding citizens, will be made betwee
or sympathizing with them in their reason
let able and lawful endeavors to obtai
our redress and any overt acts of violenc
es, lawlessness, riots and terrorism.
the We trust thegwill SO manage the
Nv affairs as to com md the continued re
I'd. gard and sympathy of all who feel int
all ested in their behalf.
t eT- BgThos. c. Tuf1ey, and his siste