The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-02-23
NEW BEDFoRD's STRIKE.


POSITION OF THE wAMsUrrA MILLS OPERATIVES
AND THE OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES ORDER
AMONG THE IDLE woRKMEN-PRosPEcT THAT
THE ''sHuT DOWN" WILL BE LONG.
New BEDFORD, Mass. Feb 20. 1871.
This quiet Now England city is having sensation IN
the shape OF strike, the first one in ten years As
already stated In the HERALD the operatives OF the
wamsutta Mills have determined 10 strike, and the
mills OF tho corporation now idle and will be
likely 10 DO SO for vet The operatives are
determined 10 hold out and SO are their employers
rho strike promises 10 be well conducted and the
managers have hit upon novel but commendabie
plan 70 gam tho respect OF their employers, the com
munty, of which they form prominent part and the
country nj large. and that Is TO have many OF tho
operatives as possible sign pledge tnai during the
continuance Of tho strike they will rcfraiD from using
liquors In any iorm not excepting beer, and the var
Gus petitions to this effect are receiving numerous
signatures Not a single arrest has been made for
disordcry conduct, and in this respect II rs very
rema kablc strike II to be the main object OF
the rnceaders to have The operatives act only GOOD
citizens act for by doing they claim they Will be
10 receive pocuniary support from other manu-
featuring districts in Now England.
OTHER OPERATIVES INTERESTED.
Fall River, Manchester, Lowell, Lonsdalc, Ashton,
Berkeley and other manufacturing localities Will not
slow in contributing 10 their support for the opc.
raives In those places general thing OF tho
opinion that upon the OF the Wamsuta opera
tIves depends their prospective demands for higher
wages, now that tho market Is In such prosperous
condition. II well known fact that the operatives
OF Fail River with not receive their recent demand OF
lncrcase in their wages IL the wamsutla operatives
defeated This Is an acknowledged iact, and It Is
stated here that the father OF kburn
who mas charge 0 The mills at LOnsdale, Ashton and
and Berkeley, where II memorable strike took place
last January, has notified tho spinners those places
OF anticipated reduction He has been here during
the week anu has reviewed the situation
THE MANAGEMENT or THE STRIKE
is In the hands Oi committee Of forty OF the repre-
sentative operatives, who have organized with the i0
lowing icers:-PresidcDt, John smith; Vice Pres-
dent, Thomas Bailey; Treasurer, Alexander Dawson;
Cores pondng secretary, Daniel Daccy; Financial Sec
rotary, John Marsden. The monetary matters are Ia
the hands Of Owen Riley, Leonard Jcnney, Edwin
whose duties to relieve all of desttution
which may be by the strike and to for
been selected. During the strike they determined
TO live AS economically as possible, and wisely, we
think, declined proposition from tho manager OF the
Fifth Avenue New York; Combination 10 give an en-
tcranmcnt proceeds OF which should he given
to aid tho prosecution OF tho strike. When this subject
brought up tor discussion In Of their recent
meetings II was unanimously declined as being "incx
SYMPATHY FROM rRADEsMEx.
Grocers The tradesmen OF the place arc.
acting very wisely during the present trying ordeal
through which the community Is passing, and have
the past have been In the habit OF paying their bills
upon the OF the monthly pay day One rm,
having over 800 customers among the Wamsutta opcr.
atves INFORM that they will not cut oil more than
dozen. As n general thing the business men arc OF
the opinion that the strike will 10 end,
but this borne by The fact that the carpen-
ters and machinists employed IN the various mills nave
received Instructions To prepare the machinery, &C.,
Tor II long shut down. The packing has been taken
out Of all the engines preparatory Tor rest, and tho
ovcrsecrs have been noiincd OF two months vacation
This not look as II the company inclined TO
back down. Outside Of the operatives mono will feel
the effects Of the strike more than the business men
tor, take $685. 00O the amount Of the monthly payroll
out OF small community, somebody must feel The
loss. Several OF tho most skilled operatives have
mado up their maids leave the country, and
already taxing steps 10 carry out their plans. Their
loss will be serious not only TO the corporation,
but also to the community as thcy as we'll as the
jority of tho employees OF tho company, are inwabd
ing citizens, and are respected by every body; and
in this connection 1t can be truthfuly said, Mr.. Kill
burn tho superintendent, and the officers OF the
poraton bearing witness, that manufacturing dis.
trct Now England boast OF such class Of hep
far morals and skiiul w0rkmnnsh ship
as can be found here. The company ma N ulacture
OF the finest goods in the world; hence they
Obliged to employ but good workmcn.