Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1889-09-06
THE GREAT LONDON STRIKE.
A Few Facts About the Two Oppos-
ing Leaders.

A Few Facts About he Two OppOs-
ing Leaders.
John Burns, who is at the head of the
immense army of strikers is a working engi-
neer by trade and a revolutionary socialist
by conviction. For 10 years Burns has been
a stump orator. He has organized pro-
cessions, ard marched at their head waving
the red flag. He has been ia prison for in
citing riot and public plumber. Since he has
been elected to the county council, Burns
has tempered his tendencies with dis
cretion He is disposed to keep the men
orderly but resolute, and his influence over
them is enormous. He is burly, square
iawed muscular fellow of 80, though
he looks more, and was born
in Battersea, London. He is about
middle height, has coal-blaclx hair, NOUS
tache and beard keen black eyes, high
check bones AMI an intelligent forehead
He looks what he is-a man of stern and
reSolute stuff. He is strong in will and
physique, and has practised pugilism He
has voice of enormous power, and can
make it ring throughout Trafalgar square.
He is vigorous and fearless speaker, and
long practice has taught him how to win
the sympathy Of ignorant masses
was taken of Burns until 1883
All that stands between this tremendous up
heaval and a settlement is the obstinacy of
Charles Morgan Norwood, chairman of the
dock companies Norwood simply has his
back up and will not give in. He has the
opinion Of the entire press and peopla against
him, but he would sooner see the commerce
of London ruined, the shipping companies
and dock owners forced into bankruptcy
and the families of the strikers
driven to starvation than acknowl-
edge himself beaten, Norwood was formerly
q we'll known member of Parliament. He is
in appearance the embodiment Of well-fed
and arrogant capitalism, and has always
treated and considered workingmen as a
lower order of beings, consequently it is
scarcely to be wondered that he refuses. even
at tremendous cost, and in spite of tremen-
dous responsibility, to give way to the de
mands of the strikers,
While Norwood still refuses to give way
on the siXpenee per hour clause, he admitted
everything else, but the nearest he would
come to the great thorn of contention was
that the pay for casual work was to be Cd
per hour for the first hour, if only working
that time; If for longer than that at the rate
of Is. for nine hours, and Sd. per hour from
nine to twelve hours, with an allowance of
half an hour for dinner. 1t was believed
that this compromise would be accepted, but
the strikers have been too much elated by
the sympathy they have received and the
prospect of a general strike on Monday to
aGQede.
Burns has repeatedly declared that the
men would accep5 nothing shore of Cd. per
hour and tho abolition of the contracts sys-
tenn. Interviews with police officials, cor
oners officers, and other functionaries whose
duties bring them into daily contract with
the dockmen and those Of allied employ-
ments show that for years the condition of
the dookmaf's families has been as bad as
any Of the worst cases revealed before the
sweating committee.
The strikers adhere to their full demands,
though many are suffering sharp privation.
Altogether the position indicates the near ap-
proach of a great soca ist victory, bringing
the labor question and the eight hour move
ment prominently to the front. Wades
Arms typical East end tavern, is the head
quarters of the strike committee. and is
likely to become the centre of movement
in behalf of labor, the qualifications of which
will touch every British employer and capi-
talist.
supplement- the various public subscriptions
to afford practical relief. As an instance of
the many spontaneous helps, Mr.. Lafone,
| proprietor of Buffers wharf, Bermondsey,
gave each striker two shillings to tide him
| over Sunday They are still under entire
control, and cases Of intimidation and VIC
| lence are few Those who are found guilty
OF these offences receive severe sentences at
the hands of the magistrate, three months at
hard labor being the minimum punishment
Cardinal Manning, Sir Andrew Lu,k and
Lord Mayors Deputy Smith have conferred
with the officials of the dock companies 1t
is understood that the cardinal Headed the
| cause of the strikers,