Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-13
The Typographical Union and Baugi'
man Brethers.

graphical Union IN regard to the ONCE
OF Messrs. Baughman Brothers has, we
are informed, been misinterpreted in
certain quarters and offence taken
where none was intended. The object
Of said circular was simply to induce
the patrons of the boycOtted firm to
withhold their patronage until the mat
ter in controversy was settled, as we
are certain it will be in short time.
A brief statement Of our position
and grievance may not be out OF place
Just here, and for the benefit of all
concerned we ask attention TO che fol-
lowing:
For upwards Of thirty-odd years the
printers Of this city have been organ
lied into Union for mutual
protection. They have a scale Of
prices for work both by the
day and piece. 1t is optional with the
proprietor whether he pays his hands
by the piece or by the day. This is per-
fectly fair both for the employer aud
employee, and the latter has no right TO
complain if working BY the piece he
cannot earn the rate liked for a weeks
work. All the other printing Offices in
this city are union Offices, and the pro-
prietors do not LOOK upon the Typo
graphical Union in any other light than
as benefit to the working-men and
protection to themselves. But in all
businesses there are to be found men
who are ever ready to undercut and un-
derbid their follow-man. Its so in the
printing business and on this hinges the
present difficulty between the Typo
graphical Union and the Messrs. Baugh-
man.
This lem has for about dozen years
conducted what is termed "rat"
office. In other words, they employed
non-union men, paid them what they
chose, (be it much or little, his EN-
ployees had no redress, and so were
enabled to bid for work at much lower
rate than union proprietor could af-
ford to do; hence the term rat" or
one who undermines. But the Messrs.
Baughman have denied that their bids
for certain work were less than similar
bids from union Offices. Suppose we
admit that. Does not this fact show
while they obtained a larger price for
their work their employees were paid
less sum than was received by the en-
ployees Of union Offices?
The Typographical Union, having
in view not only the welfare of the
craft, but the interest Of the employers
who had stood by them, thought proper
te endeavor, if possible, to pat all the
proprietors on the same footing, and
hence opened correspondence with the
Messrs. Baughmln with that object in
view.
We appeal to all fair-mindcd men il
this was anything more than justice to
the union proprietors: Here are men
who, notwithstanding the competition
Of such a firm employing lOw-priced
wOrkmen. have stood by the Union
through thick and thin. Would it not be
the basest ingratitude on our part if We
did not attempt to remedy this injus-
tice
The correspondence has been made
public, and the unprejudiced man can
decide for himself which party has
Justice and right on his side. The
committee, as will be seen, were very
cOnsery ative, and nothing Of a CO.
erciye or bulldOzing nature was all
dressed by them to that firm, All
things were done decently and in order.
Having failed to effect their object by
this means, a boycott, as a last resort,
has been issued, and the workingmen
of this city are now engaged in law
ful warfare against Baughman Bro
thers' establishment.
We believe that a workiDgman has a
perfect right to ask those with whom
he is spending his hard-earned wages
to show him enough consideration as not
to patrOnize those who are endeavoriDg
to keep his nose TO the grindstOne, and
We believe our merchants would be
studying their own interests in with
drawing their patronage from such par
ties. IL any number Of our citizens
can conScientiously combine to give aid
and comfort to firm whose purpose
seems to be to oppress and enslave
those who are striving to make an hon
est living for themselves and families
we have nothing to say.
We also think that if the unnamed
businessmen who spoke so bitterly
against us and the boycott had been
disposed. to deal fairly in the matter
they would have first convicted Us be-
fore they passed sentence.
From the beginning we stood ready
and anxious to meet any person or per-
sons looking to settlement OF the diff
ierenceS in question.
Remarks have ofttimes been made
about the tyranny of the Typo
Union. We suppose by this
is meant to convey the impression that
u proprietor mas 10 run MS ONCE a. the
Union may dictate. For refutation
of such a charge we refer to the pro-
prietors of the Dispaich, State, Wig,
the religious papers, and fifteen book
and job Offices.
In conclusion, we repeat that We are
sorry the language Of the circular was
misinterpreted, and the proposed list is
only intended for the guidance OF our
friends in making their purchases.
From now on no quarter will be
given, and the fight will wax warmer
and warmer until victory has perched
upon our banners and grim-yisaged
war has smOothed his wrinkled 'front.'"
Then will be brought to pass the say
ing, How pleasant it is for employer
and employee to dwell together in
unity" W. +. CRUMP,
j. NJ. SHELTON,
q. W. WILDE,