The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-05-31

lin the tap room the conduct of Ryal
WAS discussed, and Richard Morgan
the man who had thrown down th
plank, led the van in TRADE agains
1 the runner"
1T is bad enough 70 be niggcr
driven by the MASTER" he said, "bu
for one Of our own lot to 90 agains
us is more than ! can stand"
"But you must go with the "run
lner,n said one of the listeners.
with a runner" returned Nor
gan, abut not with Ryan. If ]
headed the gang you should hav'
easy times, ! can tell you"
"Until you got the sack, said tn,
previous speaker, with a laugh.
Morgan had a certain po ser o
speech gift Of gab' his mates call
led it-and until it was time to re
turn to work he held forth on Ryan.
base conduct, and found many will
ing ears. Sic
i From that time Ryan became !:
marked man: the men followed hin
as Of old, but they did all they coult
to annoy him. He was a powerful
man and could easily have beater
any one of his assailants; but h,
steadily refused to fight. and badt
them 60 home and think, and ther
return TO their work wiser men.
After a time Ryan's patience bort
fruit and many OF the men ceased tt
annoy him; but Morgan, with thu
rancor of little mind, only grew
more furious as be saw the chance
of running Ryan slipping away. Day
and night, in work and out of work
he kept his tongue going, calling lis
fellow laborers slaves" and was
very great on the subject of division
of property which would enable
every man to live in peace and com.
without work. as9
The men often laughed at his ex.
travagant assertions; but some o.
bis ideas took root, and a feeling OF
discomfort gradually became general
misunderstanding were developed
into deliberate assaults upon the
liberty and comfort of the men
hasty words magnified into studied
insults, and the train was laid fol
one of those suicidal movements
called a strike $3.50 ga ~
While this was impending. Ryan
was called to account before q com.
mittee of the men, who held their
meeting in a field close to the work.
Morgan attended as an accuser,
with q majority of the men employ
ed as audience. ls
Ryan's answer vas as follows
I've heard Morgan said he,
| looking that man boldly and hon.
lestly in the face sand / can only
say that it isn't true in the main,
and, although | can't exactly point
out where, it is untrue. Morgan's
got a good head, and I're got Just
sense enough to know what's right,
I and that's all. According to my
notion of things, / only do my duty,
and as I am paid for it I shall do
lit while / have the health and
strength to keep at my work. l
don't say tba. the masters are al
ways right, because they are not, +"
continued Ryan 'but when o man
undertakes to do his work he ought
to do it, and if he does sometimes
carry plank half a dozen yards
when tina bell is ringing what's the
odds9 Look here, mates, We are al
ways talking about the masters
showing us consideration, and it
comes to this, if We take We must
give too. Ill not stand up against
those as works with me, and Ilt
not gay word behind your backs.
The masters must fight their own
battles. and they are able to do it,
but must speak to you as mates.
/ take my stand on right. and no
man can be right unless he does his
duty" a
Ryan,s notions were not particu-
larly popular, but his words carried
weigh. with them. More than one
listener seltthat he only acted as an
honest man; but Morgan and bis
followers we're the stronger party.
and at q private meeting in the
evening it was decided that . round
robin should be sent in against the
runner demanding his dismissal.
It. was drawn up, signed BY the com
mittee and put before the men on
the morrow. The majority signed
easily enough; but few dId It
partly against their will. -
Mr.. Collins received the message
from his men and said he would
consider it. He laid it before his
partner, a gentlemen who had mon-
ey in the business, but no practical
knowledge OF it. and the pair weigh
ed over the consequence Of refusing
the unseemly request. Mr.. Collins
knew the character Of Ryan and
liked him. In his branch he was
the best man upon the works, and
it was much against his desire to-
part with him. fis
IF We give way this time,' he
said I'VE shall soon have another
request one impossible to comply
with, perhaps, | have seenthe feel
ing growing among the men we
have too many takers, and . strike
is inevitable it may as veil come
now as Month hence.
And so it was decided The an
swer was sent to the men, and 1t
was. "NO.na-S
This brought the storm down.
A hurried and angry meeting was
held, with Morgan and others for
speakers snd they all advocated |
one thing" Strike and bring mas
ters to their senses.r Notice OF the
strike was given, and on SATURDAY
The works were closed. SO /
Then followed the usual state OF
things.-Pickets we're posted IN ev-
cry avenue leading to the works 70 |
step men from coming. and the men
not 20 employed Stood about IN
groups talking over the strike or |
Iouneed about in the bar Of the pub
A L. 4