The examiner., 1882-03-18
THE DANBURY STRIKE.
Toll the bell-not for the man-killers,
 But for Labors triumph!
WORKINGMEN TO THE FRONTl
POLITICIANS TO THE REAR
ESQ SAY WE ALL OF Us."

ESQ SAY WE ALL OF Us."
 The following letter giving thorough explanation of the trouble in Danbury and the causes that led thereto can be relied upon as correct in every particular. It is from a gentleman who would scorn an untruth even to serve cause the most dearest. This came to hand last week too late for publication =
 There has been gradual reduction of wages in the Danbury hat factories since the panic of '7S, and owing to the fact that some factories employed union men when some others did not, the hands, as rule, were compelled to put up with whatever wages the employers chose to give. for the reason that the trade has only two busy seasons in the year, Spring and Fall, and during the few dull months intervening the hands credit are about exhausted. Employers know this fully as we'll as the men whom necessity drove to work at the formers terms. Owing to the manner in which factory work is divided into several branches, men become steam engines, and wheI necessity crowds them, can turn of an unusual amount of work, especially when they have been any length of time at any one branch. The men know that 8 hat bought at retail costs as much now as twelve or fifteen years ago, and that manu- lecturers are constantly underselling each other, and that the workingmen have to l %ho xUQ 10h it about time that things were changed and that we had some say in regard to our labor.
 Five weeks ago we organized an inde- pendent society and 270 signed the roll handing in each 25 cents. The next day four factories locked out their finishers and curlers, wno then hired hall and is open day and evening, continuing so until the trouble is settled.
 Employers and citizens were invited to attend; committees for relief and other purposes appointed, and all were given to understand that none would be allowed to suffer and that we would test the question of the right to associate.
 Public meetings were held in the opera house and addresses delivered by officers of the parent trade National Association, and we were all taken into the same. Cit- izens sent in money, one giving $12o.O0 others saying they were waiting to be called on. A committee visited the busi- ness places and received over $6OO. Some giving $20 and $50 saying as much more was in reserve if we needed it. Our fel- low wage slaves in other towns and states sent in generously and in all close on to $3, 900 has been received. This was some thing the manufacturers could not under stand and seeing that their hands could not be starved into submission they now sought outsiders and ex-convicts. How ever the former were seen on arrival, tick cts bought for them, few dollars put in their pockets they were sent to the far west rejoicing. An agent of the latter came here putting on airs and had his nose somewhat disfgured at the depot, the mark of which he will carry through life. Public opinion must now be turned against the men, therefore the High Sheriff and Governor were called on. The former a
 
 his deputies and found out how matters were, made an expression and returned home. having 10 deputies here who have had nothing to do. No Military came, but the ball cartridge was taken away from our local company. The matters carried the question into our Borough election Tues day and elected a workingman's ticket by nearly 400 majority, larger vote being boiled than ever before.
 That evening the Hatters Minstrels, Is in number gave an entertainment in the opera house, which was packed, and $25O handed into the association fund. Three factories still have their hands locked out. Over 200 men have procured employment out of town, leaving some 50 idle. Two policemen and one night watchman take care of our over Il, ,000 inhabitants and have found fault for the past five weeks because there was nothing to do. There have been only two hatfers arrested dur ing that time and they were not of those who were locked out. Yet the authorities have sent to Bridgeport for twenty uni- formed policemen. There have been less arrests of any kind and less drunkenness since the lockout than in the same period of time for the past five years. As ever, | MICHAEL MCMAHoN.
 Morch 9th, 1882.
 LATER II notice in your report from Danbury in last weeks Examiner this sentiment expressed :-'The new Board of Borough officers will no doubt show the matters some favor as most of them are workingmen." Sir, they will show the matters sao favors, nor do they look for any. They desire nothing but their rights, which they are bound to have.
 Our new Warden, MT. James Frye was asked to swear in special policemen to guard the factories. He replied, .'yes, providing the proprietors paid them, that the Board of Burgesses would not, the people had had enough of that sort of business"