Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-17
THEY HEAR ONE SIDE
.,re TWO THOUSAND MEN LISTEN
rospEECHEs ON THE STRIKE.
., r,lyson, Messrs. Wisdom, Creamer.
md Mullen Make Addresses In Old
Market Hall.
o..oo,0 men were IN Old.Market Han

o-cv Q Ol0 men were IN Old-Market Hall
c,rbt 10 hear the discussion of the
-. involved in the strike at the Loco
..lyc. Works.
|-.s ono OF tho most orderly meetings
..,.. character ever held in the city. and
.gihus.asm OF the laborers at times
,,.s, high pitch.
W.. s1pcrintcndent and the directors Of
..,blshment at which the strike oc-
'. ,-sre invited 20 be present and ex-
t... fr sIfuatiou from their standpoint,
.,.-. OF those gentlemen were pres
e.. ra.-rh Eryan was the only one who
,#rI 90 The invitation. His letter,
5 10 the Press Committee and
i..fWsinasdag evening, was read, as fol
n nave lust received your invita-
attend a meeting at the 0ld-Market
..rr.rrrw evening at O'Clock. re-
4 ,...y that have had an engagement
..-.. G4vs 20 be In New York to-lnor.
audi leave within an hour for that
i rHr MAYOR cBKERED.
,,.~.- TUys1n, who was invited 20 at
ttruaatiug entered the hall about s
land vas very generously applauded.
,...t.rp was called 90 order very
..I. tv Mr. VI. p. Murphy, one of the
-.., f.c local moulders union. lie
v H..pI the Mayor as the first speaker
',. IF...uu SAID that when nc received
....s..'.u 90 be present he did not
.. .s.. ,ypectcd 10 make an address.
... b. taJ another important engage
..-. Oil. same hour he had neglected IL
....r r. h,s presence his esteem for
-..r.mrp of Richmond and his in
...r f.srcaUse. The Mayor declared
g., ,..ra suo more important factor in
rUf oar city than It's skilled labor,
H.. with a.l other good citizens re-
..f r,rsrlingly the necessity OF their
....r. With regard 20 the owners of
M r......t.yc-W Works, his Honor said he
i.....U.l t1 te among our best citizens.
.... .rem ul in high esteem, and be-
.... ,r. men who have worked for them
4 ..-...- fur same feelings toward them.
.,.fr. doubt these gentlemen in taking
e.. -.u they did thought it to their
I.......-'.
urFfrUrNCEs CAN BE SETTLED.
r.. .Yrrrued the Mayor, the differ
. I'ysou the employers and en-
..4 should bc easy Of adjustment. II
r.. would come together in a spirit
.-...-iun there is no apparent reason
-..,.r ,.u'r0yrrsy should not he ended
,.... satisfaction of all ,oucerned.
...r.r,..n. the Mayor said he felt
... r-.ui Ut the manner in which the
. a.. gvlt work had conducted them
r.. When the strike was first an
q some persons came 90 him SAYING
.. cared violence, but he told all such
4 ,.. ,..ra was nothing 10 fear from Rich
4 ,.r..- mechanics He then thanked them
,,... dignity and forbcarance that has
,.,... their course. The Mayor said he
-.- .sI Goo see that the men had full ap-
,- alton Of labor. and he felt that IN the
,.r. l- lu the past. they would conduct
.-.,.ycs as became gentlemen and Nlr-
U. Mayor was very generously cheered
.r.r. times during the delivery OF his re-
ra-as.
Mr. Wisdom Talks,
.anriucipal address Of the evening was
...gfrai Ly Mr.. Thomas Wisdom. vice
p, fant oi the IrOn-Moulders' Union of
America lie said wnIle II was a pleasure
rr,.' with -uchan audience he regretted
circumstances which brought them to-
I.. pcakcr then spoke Of the peaceful
r..-..gs that have always existed here be-
...u capital and labor, and said IT was his
..U.a TO inform tho audience of the
.5.-. for the change that has recently came
Oh gt He pictured the Locomotive
Works starting out upon Its career IN a
gU way, gradually growing stronger
.-1 .ytcudiuu ITS capacity until IL became
... .f the great establishments of the
srtyy. Under the old management every
ding went on smoothly. There was no
rup.qut. hut perfect harmony prevailed.
I.uust skilled mechanics were employed
rI'.c productions of the works were of
ra best. Richmond, he contended should
d. q nj Nrh hngn
gave this establishment such a reputation.
l.3ar the old management there were no
s-k.- uorc. Large contractors looked TO
O, rrtv. where peace and quiet always
wusd. where strikes were unknown, and
v.c.. there were no Molly McGulres, and
r.. naturally preferred 10 give their work
q. this establishment. where IL was likely
r- completion would not be hindered by
'aH.,grruues so frequent III other parts
TIE country.
CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE.
Nr Wisdom then proceeded TO tell Of
'..l.-p of the trouble here. Ii was an
% .-,. h. said. Of the new management TO
undermine skilled labor for "A little profit.
..a.ua.h,r dwelt az considerable longth
r..r r.is point, explaining the right Of
.! labor and illustrating how unJustly
'.. u,u at the Locomotive Works were
"al'.I He c1lOrted his hearers to or
10. t"T their protection, as nothing IL
vs| organized as capital, and capital Is
.r'ar.'ly trying to disOrganiZo the Ia
,r-. and u this capital delights in di-
'.rr '.a mechanics against themselves.
Referring 90 the declaration OF the man
sr.H %, 0f the works that they have the
rr.- O.. run the concern IA they please,
4 lr W dom -md they certainly have this
4 '-a.H they run L on the line Of right and
..... Tie producers of wealth, be con-
D. have some rights as well as the
ut wealth.
e.. directors of tho works, remarked
l .l..r may be all good men. as It ls
s..' ra.m but they should not allow
. .. 'aalr employees 10 impose upon
....- u.r employed by them. These dl-
'r could not lsten to one side and
..g,r t. hear the other, for the labOrer
.l '. 'roated with the sam c courtesy
a.... manager.
WILLING TO ABBITBArE.
Nr Wisdom said the men were perfectly
F..a- % arhitrate the differences between
'.....rr. and the manager, but the lat
iE Would not consent TO this. In agree
Be-. .arh-rate the laborers made a great
'.-' .ra. Z ir 10 was natural TO suppose that
g.. ,..r SIDE was possessed OF superior
N.- rl debate the matters at issue,
N.. .aH wurkngmcn, having Just and
's-''..- cause, were willing tor persons
D.. interested TO pass upon the questions
'r. winch there II q disagreement.
,I r i., well for Richmond, argued Mr..
N'."-. when simple questions cannot be
h.'a..l and when the old brute force Is
coward honest labOrers. The men
vi. "rt work were anxious for the repre-
...a.ve, Of the works TO be present at
". .'..lag and publicly discuss the mat
..' 81 issue. but they would not come and
...y remained for the side which he
.ag3 o. state its position and appeal
%. public for sympathy and support
~ '-er JUS, cause.
cons FOR MR. DAVIS.
I- Wisdom said the present manager OF
works Us the sole cause for all the
ao. Everything went on smoothly
Boo came here. The manager. he
/. .. .ai been accustomed 10 dealing with
--.y-'aus and tho outcasts from every
'.'.A.'y, and consequently 1t was new
a." 'o be- 70 charge Of honest American
'tlrl men who were born here and
,f JIcuts before them. IL is hard for
.-.f 'Tt.alsns 70 be driven by man who
-''r value, Richmond than he does the
.l under bis feet. IL is sad 10 think, said
speaker, that Richmond is 10 be
p1tst' down like some cities IN his state