Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-02-22
THE MANCHESTER STRIKE.
me "eavers Unanimously Vote Net to
Return to Work.
MANCHESTER, Feb, 20,

III, MANCHESTER, Feb. 20.
ihe ieeilhg tonight is one of deep concern.
ana every one is looking anxiously forward
to the opening of the mill gates on Mondav
norhing, trusting that the dav NAV bring a
solution of the present complications. The
weavers' committee of five met Agent Stra,
IN conference today but elected from him no
chahge OF sentiment, as be frankly told them
ne could do no better than he had offered.
Inc committee withdrew and reported to a
mass meeting OF weavers in the Manchester
rinK. his was largely attended and exceed.
lhgiy spirited. The first speaker said: "A gen,
otra" uoes not know who will 90 to work and
VINO Will not. We all want to go to work,
out went more pay OF course he will talk
win any committee that We may send to him
out whether he comedies anvting to us de.
peDds upon how many people 90 to work
Monday morning. If 100 weayers 90 Ia
work Monday morning, $50 will go in Mon.
DAY noon and 200 Tuesday morning. Then
there VIII be general stampede back to work,
and those who stand out will do so to get
thelr bills and never go back. / have been
locked out one week and am willing to stand
out TWO weeks. 1t depends upon the stand
taken Monday morning whether we get the
increase In pay which we ask for. Now we
want to know who is going in and who is not
l oont want to be first or the last to 90
ih' Out Will go with the majority, and want to
near general expression of opinion.
A German speaker stated that, as a rep
resentatves of the German weavers, he was
requested to say that they had agreed as one
man that if Agent Shaw did not make the
concession asked for they should continue to
stay out. This announcement was greeted
with cries of ''Stay out Stay out! J" from all
parts of the building.
The committee reported as follows: "We
went to Agent Straw to effect a settlement,
but he told US that he could offer nothing
more than he had done at the last meeting.
He said that he should open the mill Monday
morning, but that he knew if the weavers did
not go in it would be useless to attempt to
run. We think from what Agent Straw said,
although we promise nothing of the kind,
that if we should go to work Monday morn
ing we should get our advance March lst.
1t seems to us that they want us to go in
without any claim of victory. Now, if few
weavers go in Monday it will be bait for
more to go in. We want all to stay out.
Cries OF "Stay out" all over the building
If you vote to stay out we want to see all of
you, both ladies and gentlemen, stand by one
another until the last moment. If we go in
Monday morning we must still stand by each
other just the same, and so get a good grip,
and the next time shake up the corporation
we'll"
1t was unanimously voted not to return to
work, but to make parade on Canal street,
fronting the mills, at six o'clock Monday
morning.
MANCHESTER, N. H., Feb. 81.
All eyes are looking for the morrow with
tba hot tbo Of he ,Et he
Amoskeag company will be the end of the
present labor troubles. There is no doubt
of the return Of all the help save in the
weaving department, and it is evident that
the corporation officials believe that they
will be able to start a portion of the machin-
cry in all the rooms, and if this proves true
all of it will be running before the week is
over. In the French Catholic churches to-
day those of the Pensioners who are en-
ployed by the Amoskeag company were ad-
vised to return to work, AMI this will not be
without its affect. The German weavers,
however, continue firm and constitute the
the hope of the strikers for procuring better
wages. They are better prepared to undergo
the privations of protracted strike than
those of other natonalities, their habit of
industry and thriftness giving them an ad-
vantage in this respect. They will lead the
procession arranged to take place tomorrow
morning, which will include two bands of
music in addition to the drum corps. The
city authorities have considered the matter
of preventing this demonstration on the
ground that it would overawe those who de-
sired to return to work, but this plan has
been abandoned and the strikers will be al.
to make this demonstration, The police ar
rangements provide for the entire regular
force and many special officers to be in read
mess to quell any disturbance that may oc-
cur.
John F. Gleason, the recognized head OF
the Knights of Labor in this city has issued
the following notice:
To members of the order in this city -
As YOU are all we'll aware of the fact that
that the Amoskeag company is about to open
its gates to all operatives who wish to return
TO their work, aud as has been demonstrated
bv the events during the past week that the
order in this city has no hand in the matter
whatever; now as the position of our order
is alwaps on the side of law and order, |, as
master workman of the senior assembly il
our city, do request that all who wish do re-
turn quietly to their work, and all who dc
got wish to return would also request no
to 90 near the gates of the company.