The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-06-05
,LOYesHOREMEN GIVING WAY.
The AIdermanic Committee snubbed, and the
strikers Willing TO Compromise.

During none OF the thirty-fve days that
the 'longshoremen have been on strike has
there been so much anxiety evinced among
them as there was yesterday. week ago the
Common Council determined to aid them in
coming to an amicablo understanding with
their employers. the steamship agents. To
that end committee was appointed
from that body to wait upon the agents.
This Committee had interviews with the
agents Of all the large steamship lines. They
urged upon them the advantages that would
accrue TO both sides by an agreement As an
incentive toward effectinR this result. the Al
dermon promised that they would further the
interests OF the companies in every possible
way.
With the exception OF the Cunard and State
lines the scheme OF a compromise was taken
into favorable consideration. For the purpose
OF taking united action In the matter. Alderman
Cavanaugh. tho Chairman Of the Committee
requested that the agents would meet his
committee and allow them TO represent the case
OF the 'longshoremen. Yesterday was the time
appointed. Instead OF an invitation 10 this
meeting. however. the Board OF Aldermen yes
terday received the following from Mr.. Sand
ford, the secretary Of the steamship lines assO-
ciated together TO reduce the price OF freight
handling from 80 cents per hour during the day
and 35 cents per hour at night TO 25 cents per
NFw YoRK June 3
To ne oowHine' ArttuhOn. &e vine Honorable he Blrd
GrSrlrrrs l am instructed by the steamship com
pAnies with whom you have recently conferred touch
you hat having iaIy considered the arguments You
have advanced IN iSISr II rate higher HAN hat now
ing your time 70 convene meeting 90 further discuss the
TnoHAs 5. sASDToEp Secretary.
The 1ongshoremen. who were firmly i'm
pressed with the idea that the companies would
come TO terms by reason OF the strong induce
menls held out to them by the Aldermen. were
much chagrined upon hearing Of the result Of
the Committees efforts. A mass meeting was
called for last evening at O'Clock.
The large hall at varick and Grand streets
was literally packed with the striking long
Menban aeS tbe az 4eetnS ~ nper FnI1y
| 500 men were in the hall. An hour OF eNcit-
| ing discussion took place. Then motion was
| work at 80 cents per hour day and night in
stead OF the 80 and As cents that the men struck
| for IL was hailed with shouts OF indignation
their feet and fairly howled with excitement.
." Is the motion secondedf' yelled the Chair
| man in stentorian tones that sounded only ike
a whisper above the din. A thousand men
| turned about them Indignantly 10 see which one
| OF their number would have the hardihood to
second such a motion. They saw him. John
| McMann stood on the top OF bench, straight
ened himself out. and, with his clenched ilsI IN
| face boldly seconded the motion. There was a
lulli Y..,,.oc,o,..o .von
/ NOWl my men. bdlu tnb NudlTulhus lbu
| have heard the motion" He could get no
| further. His voice was lost in the fierce com
motion that ensued.. Tho multitude surged To-;
ward the platform like the billows Of a troubled
sea. II was fully 80 minutes before the motion
could be put TO the meeting. In this time IA
most remarkable change seemed to have taken
| place in the feelings OF many OF the men. The
| motion wns carried by n small minority. BY
this motion tho men have nut themselves on
record as being willing TO work for thirty cents
| an hour day and night.
-, The standing committee OF the strikers were
| then requested 10 call upon Mr.. Sandford to-
| day. and inform him that they were willing to
| 90 to work, but they refused.
! Alderman Cavanaugh said last evening that
| hereafter the steamship companies should have
all they entitled 10, but not one Iot title
more