Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1883-08-23
COLD COMFORT.

COLD COMFORT.
The Evening Post says: There
was good deal of popular sympathy
at the beginning with the strikers as
an oppressed class, but it rapidly sub
sided when it was discovered the
strikers were, as one of their spokes-
men described them before the senate
committee, mostly young, unmarried
living IN comfortable boarding houses.
The woes of young unmarried men
who persist IN sticking to sedentary
occupation in which they saw they are
lnsutficiently paid, do not touch the
American imagination very LONG.
Popular sympathy for the underpaid
is reserved for men with families in
callings laboriously acquired through
long training and cannot be readily
changed. Telegraphy does not belong
to this class. The truth is the bust
ness of telegraphing properly belongs
to women, and any sympathy the
public has to spare in the matter is
due to women whom these young fell
lows keep out of it, or to women now
IN it, whose wages their competition
| keeps down.
At the meeting of the assembly of
the brotherhood of telegraphers to-
day, there were some expressions of
dissatisfaction at any further continu-
ance of the struggle; and there were
also some manifestations of disapprOv-
al with the management of the strike.
Disruption seemed imminent. vet a
majority were still determined to
abide by their obligation when becom-
ing members of the brotherhood. The
order of Master Workman Campbell
was about this time issued declaring
the strike ended, and authoriz-
ing the members to resume work.
1t was then decided by those
present that the young women en-
gagged III the strike be given the first
opportunity to regain employment.
The men not to apply for reinstate-
ment before Saturday. The women
Immediately came trooping down to
the office OF the Western Union Telo-
graph company and tripped lightly
into the elevator to be taken to the
rooms Of Superintendent Humistone.
Some masculines anticipated them.
These had taken the rapid elevated
railroad and meeting members of the
fraternity informed them of the
''break." These did not stand upon
the order of their going but went at
once for the office. Mr.. Humistone
anticipating the girls, the fourth floor
was quickly taken possession of and
held firmly until Mr.. Humistone,
late IN the evening, announced
that he could not receive
more tonight, but would be
entirely free to give further audience
tomorrow. Each person, as a pre-
hmlnary of unemployment, signs a
paper agreeing to abandon the present
brotherhood of telegraphers and not
again become a member of any sim
liar brotherhood while in the employ
of the Western Union company.
THIS ENDS IT.
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 17.-ThOmas H.
Hughes, secretary of the brotherhood
Of telegraphers, received the following
from New York this evening:
Send the following to all assemblies: The ex-
ecuJive board of the brotherhood regrets to say
that the strike is a failure. All members who can
may return to work Immediately Circulars will
follow by mail
Signed, JOHN CAMPBELL
RESOLUTIONS TO WAR DEPARTMENT.
A committee from the telegraphers'
brotherhood called at the war depart
ment to-day and presented the follow
ing communication
WASHINGTON, D. c. Aug. Il
To Robert L. Lincoln, Secretary Of War
This committee has been appointed by the local
assembly of telegraphers to invite your attention
to the case of VIM. NJ. Ashe, an employe of the
adjutant generals office in the war department
VIM. NJ. Ashe, in company with his brother JAS
r. Ashe. a clerk in the post office department has
we are Informed, been granted leave of absence
by the government, and availed himself of such
leave to enter the service of the Western Union
telegraph company where he is now engaged at
work. 1t is earnestly hoped by the assembly that
as VIM. NJ. Ashe is emplOye of the government
under pay, his action in taking the place of men
who are cOntending for recognition and Justice
will meet with your swift and severe condenna-
ton.
(Signed) ROB'T L. DEAKENs.
a. j. LOMBARD
Committee.
A similar letter was handed by the
committee to Postmaster General
Gresham.