The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-03-25
A CURIOUS DOCUMENT.
MANIFESTO BY THE STRIKERS AR
ST. LOUIS.

ST. LOUIS, March 22.-The following was issued
by the Knights of Labor at a late hour tonight:
To the public-A statement in reply to IL. NJ.
Hoxie's letter to the governors of Missouri and
Kansas in response to the proposition contained
in note written by the governors of Kansas and
Missouri, and also the reply of Mr.. Hoxie to the
governors, we beg to state:
First, that while in conference in Kansas City we
sent for by the governors, and out of respect
for them a committee was appointed consisting of
employees of the Gould roads only, which met with
them and by request stated the cause OF the present
withdrawal of active labor from the roads of the
Gould southwestern system. On their suggestion
these gentlemen agreed TO see Mr. Hoxie and at.
tempt settlement If possible. Ii was agreed In
Difference to their wishes we should submit to
them all our grievances with the understanding they
would arrange meeting, between MIR. Hoxie and
ourselves. They desired permission to settle as
best they could on the understanding we would
abide their decision.
To this we, lemurred, unless we were
of settlement With this understanding we CON
sented to their nterposition between Mr.. Hoxie
and ourselves. MIR. HoXie having refused to re-
ceiye delegation from either the employees or
knights of Labor, and the governors received from
Mr.. Hoxie the document published yesterday,
which was given to the press before we were per-
mitted to see it,
Now in Justice to ourselves and the truth Of his
tory we desire to make the following points OF
| fact:
First. The interpretations of the governors was
voluntary their part, coming to Kansas City and
seeking an interview with our board
Second. We refused them the privilege of adj
justing our difficulties or accepting terms OF set
| tlement without first submitting them to that COM
mittee for approval, notwithstanding which they
read Mr. Hoxe's proposition, qualification and all,
and turned them over to the press and public be-
| fore were even permitted to see them.
| Third. They say to Mr.. Hoxie, after careful in
vestigaton, 1--WE are unable to find wherein the
Missouri Pacific railway company has violated the
terms and conditions OF the agreement made on
the 10Th of March, 1885, touching its employees IN
our respective states" To say the least OF such a
statement, it is not creditable to the minds and
hearts of men to whom has been committed the
welfare of a great people, to say that
they will take Advantage of our want
of skill in legislative technicalities and wink at
gross violations of sacred agreement in its plainly
manifested spirit because its technical letter gives
an apparent advantage to great corporation. The
governs state further. "We recognize the fact that
claim that the strike Of March g. 1886 relieves 1t Of
obligations II assumed In the circular OF March 10,
1885, In rendering this verdict the governors
blindly ignored the fact that the obligations as
sumed In said circular at that time, took effect on
all the roads operated and leased by the Missouri
Pacific railway company aud was fully understood
so to apply, although, by an oversight, but two
roads and states were mentioned therein. Evil
dence is at hand that the striking employees OF that
state were up to the day of the strike, working for
less pay than before the strike OF last year showing
not restoration of old pay but really reduction
in violation of said circular agreement, Evidence
is at hand that the bridgemen have been compelled
, to work many hours over time without receiyins
1
prove that in order to make \
!, necessary to reduce the force o.
y workingmen, work has been sent to contrac
1 shops, and in once instance whole foundry wai
sub let in order TO bring the men under new su
pervision thus depriving the men OF the provis
ions of the circular agreement All this was don't
to create dissatisfaction and induce tne mon {
Q were employed, and always atreduced rates. EVi
8 dence is at hand that whole gangs. of men hay
e been discharged, notwithstanding that Mr. hoxi
\ the working force he would reduce the htdra
Every effort to have these men reinstated was re
Y fused by the company, on the ground that the
II were not covered by the agreement, which agree
l. ment says: "We will reduce the hours OF wor
instead of reducing tho force whenever the neces
O. sity arses.
b. are sought 10 be made matter entirely ont q
lg range OF the agreement The men were, out .
g sheer prejudice, discharged, without an ehoft
reduce hours Of work. The receivers refused
comply with the agreement OF company Onlclp'
with the employees after the receiyerbhip, 10
withstanding they do not repudiate other agre
ments OF the said officials, showing an attempt
usa the United States courts and it's officials for
disAonOrabe purpose
d, II is charged by Mr.. Hoxle in preyioue stat
"a ments, that the agreement Of March 10, 1885, hf
been violated by the employee. said agreement
published in the papers Of March ~, and we Of
every intelligent person 70 read 1t with care, ar
say Il It be possible for employees to violate q,
sirous and thar for the sole reason 1t 10 an agre
ment on the part of the company TO do certa
things, but requiring notingh whatever of the el
ployes. 80
at But why should we cay moreg II Mr.. Hoxle d
ne not know he was guilty OF gross wrong and inJu
Nv tce why would ne refuse TO listen 70 oar eyiden
ed and hear our appeal for redrcssf Why wonln
ri shelter himself behind subterfnges and technics
'al tiesg Why would he refuse 70 treat With the M
on he has wrOnged, and write eyasiye letters 70 Z
20 governors who cannot possibly enter into 4
TO merits OF the controversy The truth is simp
this; Mr. IIoxie wants trouble. He has provok
It. He is still melting II, and making an innoce
,oo public pay the price of his peridy. How long "
a See the public consent for Gould and Hoxie TO- th
r ro- ''rule or ruin,' we want to see. ls .
y" nr Bv the executive board, district ASSEMBLY \
=" 10i."