The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-27
MEETING OF CITIZENS.
An Expression of Opinion Concerning
the Great Strike.
A Series of Resolutions Adopted FavOrine
Speedy Arbitration, but no Decided
Action Taken.


take action regarding the telegraphers' strike,
took place last evening in the Criminal Court
room. William Wesley woollen was chosen
chairman, and John G. Blake secretary. Mr..
WOollen briefly remarked that the meeting was
called for the purpose of testifying the appreca-
ton and sympathy of our citizens with the tele-
graph men in their efforts to get fair treatment
and living wages.
Mr.. }. A. Closer said he had come to this
meeting as a member of the Board of Trade and
as citizen, TO protest against the imposition
practiced upon us as a business community. He
did not know the full merits of the controversy.
but did know that our business interests
have been shamefully abused. Colonel ClOwry's
assertion that there had been any sort of efficient
service from the telegraph company for the past
week WAS not borne out by the facts. Messages
were delayed for hours not delivered at all,
and returned to the senders. He said the service
is not bit better now than it was a week ago.
that not one message was sent where three were
sent before the strike, and of those that sent
no one is certain of any accuracy In their trans
mission. He thereupon moved that a committee
on resolutions be appointed to draft the express
sion of the meeting.
The chair appointed that committee Messrs.
]. A Closer, w. c. Griffith and R. N. Lamb, and
they retired to the ante-room.
Speeches were made by Hon. Stanton j. Peelle
Morris Ross. Robert Denny, P. A. Ward, Philip
Rappaport, James T. Bowling, R R, shel and
others, expressing sympathy with the striking
operators
The following communication was received
and read;
INDIANAPOLIS, July %, 1888.
ITO the Chairman of the meeting called by the
Board of Trade;
''Sr-Unable to be present at the meeting
trust there will be no hesitation or delicacy in
giving expression TO sentiments becoming the
occasion, and in order TO show substantial sym
phthy with the Telegraphers' Brotherhood in
their struggle with arrogant injustice and OPP
preston, raise a fund to assist Them For that
purpose Mr.. John l.. Kercham and myself will
start the fund with contribution of $50 each
hoping that many others will find it in their
hearts to do likewise. Very respectfully.
Erred. KNEFLER."
The committee returned and reported as fol-
lows:
THE FIRST RESOLUTION.
1--WE, the members of tine indianapolis Board Of
Trade and citizens Of Indianapolis, having
Keenly felt the incon venisnce, and in many
instances suffered damage because of the iuef-
hcient service rendered the pubic by the tee-
graph company, and,
"Whereas, It is now one week since the strike
began, giving abundant time to arbttrate, COM
promise TO procure other and efficient Operat-
Ors to transact the business of the country, ana,
"Whereas, No effort is being made looking to an
adjustment of the differences existing between
the telegraph companies ana the operators, it is
therefore,
''Resoved, That we, as a commercial body,
earnestly request that measures he taken at
once looking to an adjustment OF existing differ
enCos; thar, in our judgment the party which
evades or declines TO respectfully consider the
grievances of the other, or who does not seek a
speedy adjustment in some way, admits its error
and is not deserving Of the sympathy and sup
port of the people.
Resolved, That the present difficulty should
he settled by arbitration, and that Immediately
upon an agreement to arbitrate the operators
should resume work.
Ued hat pP thraa
bers of the indianapolis Board of Trade and clti-
Zens be appointed to present the above resolu-
tions to the officers OF the Western Union Tee
graph Company and to the executive committee
of the brotherhood of Telegraph Operators and
TO urge their immediate acceptance, and to agree
upon terms of settlement or of arbitration, and
that the committee report their action to the In
dianapors Board Of Trade"
A. CLOSER.
r. N. LAMB.
W. G. GRIFFITH
On motion, the resolutions were adopted.
cussion to whether they represented the feel
ings of that meeting; that as representing a
citizens meeting the resolutions seemed to lack
vigor. AS citizens meetlag 1t would be more
in point to express sympathy with the strikers
as against the monopoly, and that they were
merely repetition of the previous action of the
Board of Trade. The resolutions were the re-
considered and laid upon the table, and a new
committee reported the following
FINALLY ADOPTED.
"Resolved. That as citizens of the city of In
dianapolls we heartily lndorse the resolutions
adopted by the Board of Trade with respect to
the present trouble between the telegraph COM
paDies and their operators, and particularly in
demanding It's immediate settlement by just and
wise arbitration, aud further, that our sympa-
thies are with the operators In their efforts to
secure justice from corporations with which
they can stand on an equality only through con-
centrated effeort. We further recommend that
the Board of Trade forward to the execu-
tive committees of both the telegraph compa-
MES and the Teegraphers' Brotherhood copies
of the resolutions of the board, and also OF this
expression by the citizens"
JAMES T. BOWLING,
p. II. RAPPAPORT,
FREDERIC OsTERMEYER,
HILARY CLAY,
E. W. HALFoRD,
Committee
The second resolutions were passed, another
long debate ensued, when they were laid upon
the table and the former resolutions again taken
H..