The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-13
A SAD FAREWELL.
Valentine Parts With the Strik-
ing holders.
He Prophesies Victory, and Promises to Re-
turn at an Early Date The Risdon's
Efforts to Obtain Men.

leo and the Sandwich Islands.
For the past sixteen months Valentine
has been the chief director of the molders'
strike. Before the trouble commenced he
was employed by Steiger & Kerr, propri-
etors CT the Occidental Iron Works. Steger
81 Kerr were members of combine" OF
iron founders who had associated for pro-
lection against the Entertainments Of the
unions, or, as the unions stated. to crush Or
ganized labor Early in 1890 they notified
the union that they would no longer pay any
attention to the law that a certain number of
apprentices should be employed to a certain
number Of journeymen, and declared that
they would abolish the minimum wages of
So so per day. This meant nothing more or
less to the union than general reduction Of
wages and the destruction of the organize
tion by which wages had been upheld and
grasping employers restrained. They deter
mined to fight.
Late in February, 1890, Steiger & Kerr
declared that alentine, who was then the
President of the union, was not doing as
much work as he was able to do, and that
his course was in consonance with plan
adopted by the union to limit the work
done by its members in order that employ
ment might be secured by its members who
were idle Valentine was discharged for
| this cause, and the Occidental Foundry was
struck. The matter was brought before the
union, and it was decided that Steiger &
| Kerr were the advance guard of an on
| slaught which was to be made by the asso-
clated employers upon organized labor. A
| special meeting of the union was held on
the night of February 81, 1890, at which the
| situation was carefully considered, and all
| the members in the employ of the associa-
| ton were ordered to strike. They Obeyed,
and from that dav TO this but six of them
| have deserted. Valentine has been men,
| her Of tnn nnlOn sixteen and OttIpnr
ten years. He is known throughout the
| United States as faithful and intelligent
| laborer for the advancement of organized
| LABOR, and one year ago the International
| Molders' Union elected him its Vice-Presi-
| dent at salary of $500 per year. Instead
| of accepting the Office and its emOluments
| at once he preferred to remain here to help
the strikers until an imperative summons
| by the International Executive Committee,
which meets in Cincinnati on July Goth,
| called him to that city.
He had to 60 and set his house in order
| by resigning the presidency of the local
union and placing the strike in hands that
are SAID to be fully capable of conducting it.
| The deepest regret was expressed by the
strikers to whom Valentine had been
| leader for sixteen months, and a special
| meeting of the union, to which the members
| of the Council of Federated Trades and the
representatives CT the press were invited.
was called to give him an assurance of the
esteem Of his fellow-la bOrers and an earnest
of the appreciation which his conduct of the
strike has aroused.
The meeting was held in B'nai Birth Hall
at o'clock yesterday afternoon. There
were 300 union moders present and many
representatives of other labor organizations.
Dennis Gum, President of the Molders'
Union, presided and stated the object of
the meeting.
Valentine spoke feelingly of his long as
SocIation with the members of the union
and n the trials and triumnbs Of fha In n
strike. He said that the employers were
glad he was going, because they thought
that on account of MS departure the union
would disintegrate. Two prominent foun-
ders had told him that when ne had gone they
would have things their own way. lie
urged his hearers to be strong and faithful.
They We're fighting battle for wages and
they would win, for the people were with
them.
As an evidence of the weakness of the
bosses he stated that on July 80 the Rsdon
Iron Works engaged molder named p.
Cassidy to come from the East and take
charge of their work. When Cassidy ar
rived he refused to accept the position, al
though he was offered Sc per day. because
the molders in the shop were not able to
turn out good work.
He went away and on Saturday night the
mOlders received the following communica-
ton from him:
ELCHo SPRINGS New. Friday morning.
To Joseph Valentine: Incosed you will find
dispatch l received $3.50 o'clock last night.
gave the foreman hint that l did not think L
would take his place, hence their anxiety TO Sc
cure me as an 4 IouIneymaa. l believe they are
on thelT last legs from what l have seen
and ihls dispatch strengthens my convIe
ton. II you could now take out four OF their
best men they would have 10 either shut down or
surrender. z. CASSIDY.
They could not get Cassidy to accept a
position as foreman" said Valentine, "but
they wanted him to work as common
molder Here is the dispatch they sent him
while he was Eastward bound
j. J. Cassidy: If you VIII come back on receipt
of this and work six months we Will give you 81
per day and bonus oil 5000. Answer. Don't
miss THIS great opportunity.
RIsDoN IRON WORKS.
They could not afford to pay US So 80
per day, continued Valentine sarcastically,
but they could give Cassidy 81 per day and
bonus of $500. Cassidy tells the truth
They are on their last legs. Last week they
discharged seventeen machinistS because
they had no castings for them to work upon,
and they ara having dredger, for which
they obtained the contract, done in the East
because they cannot make it here. They
are running the iron industry of the city by
their obstnacy and stupidity. They are
deceiviDg the public, for they say they re
doing as well as ever, while thsy are dis
charging California mechanics and having
their work done in the East"
In conclusion Valentine said that he
hoped to come back soon, and babe a sor-
rowful farewell to all.
This address was followed by a tumult of
applause, and the following resolutions
were adopted by rising vote:
WHEREAS, The retirement of Brother ,Joseph
Il. Valentine from The office OF President of this
union and his departure from the city, gives US
an opportunity 10 express our appreciation OF his
services and high esteem in which we hold him
as good and faithful member; the refore, be 1t
Resolved, That the thanks iof this union are
due and are hereby rendered TO Brother Joseph
K. Valentine for the able and earnest manner In
which lie has for so many years perfoime lhe
afdu0us duties Imposed upon him; that our best
wishes Will attend him In his new field OF useful
ness that OF Organizer for the International
Molders' Union OF America.
Resolved, That 1t IS with feelings of deep regret
mat we accept his resignation of the Office 10
which, owing TO his worth aud his untring efforts
In our present prolonged strike, he has succeeded
against tremendous odds 10 continue the battle
WIN undoubfed prospects of eventual complete
success for 164. We rejoice however, to know
that although no longer an officer of this union
his heart Is with us, and his every thought OF
us and for US; his promised efforts in our behalf
while IN The great cities OF The East will, we
tust result greatly 10 our advantage IN The I'M
mediate future by increased donations and de-
crease OF scab arrivals 10 the city.
ResolUcd, That these resolutions b. given to
the press and spread on The minutes of this meet
ing and that copy be given to Brother Joseph
L. Valentine.
Brief addresses were made by members of
the Council Of Federated Trades, and the
union formed in marching order and es-
corted Valentine to the ferry, where Alfred
Fuhrman,S ex-President of tho council,
made speech, and then cheers were given
Tor the departing leader OF the longest strike
San francisco has ever known.
RIX'S IMPEACHMENT.
Trades Committee Charged to Bring
1t About.
Delegates from Bakers MON No. 81 ap-
peared before the Executive Committee of
the Federated Trades yesterday to show
why Police Judge Rix should be impeached.
They produced reports of an address which
he made recently in sentencing boycotters,
which they construed as incendiary and as
an incentive TO persons who are boycotted
to use violence upon the boycotters. The
committee decided that the bakers had
just cause for complaint, and will hire
lawyer to prepare articles of impeachment