Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1883-07-23
rRs PsSDraG Strike.

The reading between the lines Of the press
reports ceming over the wires from teIe.
graphic managers shows clearly that the
companies are greatly distressed by the
telegraphers' withdrawal from the service.
1t could uot be otherwise. Thousands of
skilled operatives cannot abandon a bust
ness suddenly without inficting upon it
much injury, and greatly disarranging its
domestic discipline. 1t is to be hoped that
this distress will continue until the compa-
MES are forced to yield, for right sides with
the operators, il ever it arrayed itself in
any cause. Ii win be noticed by the intel.
lgent reader that in every instance where
expression has been given to views antag-
onistic to the teiegraphers there has
been advanced no reason whatever in sup.
port OF the claim that their demands are
unreasonable. We have read every word
put forth, and have yet to ind anything
but this dogmatic statement, from the chief
officials of the great companies to the
piping OF the snbservient San francisco
Chronicle "Their demands are unreason-
able" Unreasonable in what? VIII the
enemies of labor specify wherein it is I'M
reasonable to ask for fair living wages, for
reasonable hours, for regular rest day {?
is it unreasonable to ask for an occasional
vacation without loss Of place? Is it un.
reasonable to ask that competent operators
AS in one Gaze at Sacramento-dcing
work demanding high order of skill,
shall receive more than $40 month on
which to support growing family? In
truth, the telegraph company discourages
matrimony, brushes ambition, practically
enslaves its employees, and pays wages far
below the amount allowed by the chief
railroad lines to their telegraphers for much
less trying work.
But these are all considerations of the
surface. Away behind this whole move.
ment is secret cause, which brought
about, unintentionslly, the present agita.
ton. The Western Union Telegraph Com.
pany = rich, powerful, exacting deter.
mined to enlarge its gains. To do this, it
resolved upon speedy method and
fixed upon the plan of watering
its stock. Bal to accomplish it with the
Success desired. the necessity existed of
being able to float the stock upon the placid
waters of fat dividends present and pros.
pective. With the conception of this plan
began the cinohing process, which has gone
on year by year, until the desired low plane
of recompense for the labor of faithful en-
ployes was reached. At that time, within
yesr, the wstered stock to the tune of
$50, 900. 600 was foated in foreign markets.
1t wss upborne by the money wrung from
the starved employees for dividend fund.
With $4,000 telegraphers in the United
States, bled st the rate of $40 per month on
the average, the snug sum of $50, 600 was
economized for the purposes stated. The
men and women Who were punished that
these ends might be achieved, have made
their protest and retired with becoming
propriety and in an orderly manner that
speaks volumes for the justice of their
cause. Il is no mob, no peace disturbing
crowd, but brave and intelligent army of
working men and women, clothed in the
conscious panopi5 of right. Their griev.
ances have been 80 long bozae, it is : mat
ter of profound wonder that the blow did
not fall upon the employers sooner than it
did. The sYTupathies of the people are
with the employees, and the record is be-
ing made up of the press courageous enough
to speak for them also.