The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-23

=
terday. The strikers say in reference to the
intlmation that the Western Union company
will probably treat with them and take them
back, making their return to service at adj
vanced pay conditional upon their giving up
membership in the Brotherhood, that
such proposition will not re-
ceive an instants consideration. What
they want is not only satisfactory pay,
but some guaranty for the future and that, if
they give up their organization, they will
again be at the mercy of the monopoly.
EXCELLENT SERVICE"
General Superintendent Colonel Clowry, of
Chicago, has considerable to say about thee
cellent service that is now afforded in this
section by the Western Union, and particu
larly at Chicago. As one of the telegraphers
characterized him yesterday, Colonel Clowry
is the premium prevaricator in the Western
Union grand aggregation of truth mu tildtors
the Eli Perkins of the profession" Dis
patches sent to the Western Union office here
at II o'clock, on Friday night, for Chicago
and ST. Louis papers, failed to arrive at their
destination in time to get into print.
INCIDENTS.
For three nights number of the strikers
have stood on the curbstone on Meridian
street, under the windows where, in the
y,
taken, and read the report as it came in. Now
and then notebook would be whipped out
and an interesting piece of news would be
booked several hours before it got to the
readers of the morning papers.
IL is said that one of the importations at
the Western Union office got along fairly
until some figure work began to come IN
when he cried out for relief. II know the
alphabet" said the operator, "but 1 amt got
into figures yet. Why can't they spell it
out?
AS Journal reporter was on his way
home about midnight Saturday, he was
spoken to by thirteen or fourteen-year-old
boy in messengers uniform. I've struck,
toe" said this youugster "You havel' ex-
claimed the asto nished reporter. What in
the world did you strike for? You ought to
keep your place now for there isn't much to
do. A messenger has a soft snap now"
Yes know that. But my brother is an
operator in Louisville, and didn't want to
work against him."
AMENITIES OF THE STRIKE.
One feature of the teegraphers' strike is
particularly noticeable. Not a word has
been said by any striker against Superin-
tendent John F. Wallick or Manager NJ. D.
Butler. The boys recognize the position
that these gentlemen hold binds them TO
the company and to the company's interest.
Some of the boys go so far as to say that
they believe they have the sympathy of
both these gentlemen, and that if this office
had been fully in Mr. Wallick's hands, he
having the power to fix and adjust salaries,
and not have that matter attended to in
New York Tor rather unattended toy that
this would not be the Chinese office of the
United States, and that, so far as Indanapo-
lis was concerned, there would have been no
cause for a strike. Mr., Wallick has been
superintendent since 1863 twenty years.
He came to this city in 1852 from Wooster,
O., and learned telegraphy under General
Eckert, the gifted genius who is largely re-
sponsible for the strike. A prominent rail
way official sizes Eckert up in this way:
The great trouble now about compromise
is that Eckert has boosted what he could
and what he would do, and now he must
sustain his position or go to the wall. He is
fighting for his own head"
REV. 0. C. McULLocH's ADDRESS.
The striking operators, last night, attended
in body the religious services conducted at
the Grand Operation by Rev. Oscar C. Nc
Culloch. The regular discourse of the even
ing was upon Joan of Arc" but before de-
livering it, Mr.. McCulloch addressed the con-
gregation briefly upon the subject of the
strike, in the following words:
There seems to be an impression that I would
speak to the striking telegraph operators this
evening. While l sympathize with them, had
no such intention, because the question is a deli
cate one to treat, and required much study and
| thought. Yet, perhaps, IL is best that I should
say few words. 1t ia part of the duty of the
church of Jesus Christ to speak all questions
that concern the people. 1t is the church of
| Z hR f1a fha lDhN rirlsr A
TO the cauSes i'll dispute, am not able to Judge.
Whether there were grievances. whether the
demands were wise, | leave for wise minds.
But that these men had a right to combine in a
brotherhoon and a right to strike for higher
wages, affirm. 1t is only by combination that
| the weak able to resist the encroa ehments
of the strong, and it is through combination,
through unions, brotherhoods that the laboring
men have learned rights and duties. 1 grant
| that there is much ignorance and much injustice
done by labor unions, but they are educators
and have in them the germs of future good.
The right to strike must be allowed also. II IS
but the right of the individual to quit work
when higher wages are not accorded HIM. Nor
do find any advantage taken by these men. 1t
was well understood that they were about to
ask for higher wages and reduction OF hours,
and their method was courteous and wise, a COM
mittee being appointed. The refusal to listen to
this committee seems to me In the highest de-
gree disconrteous ana unwise.
The issue of this can foresee. sincerely
wish that they may succeed III gaining if not the
exact demands. certainly al increase in wages
and reduction in hours. regard this rs one of
OF, which will on and on until the question OF
wages shall he settled by the rule of Christ
"WhatsOever we would that nen should do to
you do ye even so to them" The great labor
questions are to be determined not by might,
| not by balances Of experience, but by balances
of justice. II / could have the of OF
these young men, would say: Keep together.
Men. love your brotherhood. In union there is
strength. In division there is weakness. Review
your schedule of demands, and see that you are
wise. Be g0odnHtured and temperate. Be ready
to arbitrate Let your self-cOntrol and good
hnmor commend to the public your position.
The public yOur friends; let nothing ALLEVIATE
them. If anyone interferes with the property
of the company punish him false to your in
terests. And lastly, bear patiently what will be
the hardest-with those who have gone to work
in tha offices; let no one modest them, nor even
bring moral force to bear; let them alone; you
will win them the easier.