The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-10-03
MAY END IN A STRIKE.
A Difference Between the Georgia and
South Carolina Cotton Handlers.

"A O1uSTeuce beLWeen the georgia ana
South Carolina Cotton Handlers
The Georgia members and the Carolina
members of the colored Workingmen' IS
Union again have each other by the
throat. 1t seems impossible for the cob
ored natives Of the two states named to
get along in the same society. The result
OF the difference, it is said, will probably
result in a split in the union. Labor com
plications are probable and strike NAV
result from the quarrel.
The Carolina men claim that the Geor-
gia men are trying to shut them off of
bluff"
The members of this union, it will be
understood, are cotton workers, engaged
in the highest paid class of manual work
in the city, receiving IS and So a day per
man.
The union is engaged in conjunction
with the white Workingnen's
Benevolent Association in the effort
to maintain the price of labor for
storing cotton aboard ship Both
unions know that a split in their ranks
is likely to result in a reduction of wages,
and for that reason both unions have been
very strict in observing their rules. An
agreement between the two limits the
membership and stipulates that no more
colored workmen shall be employed
aboard any ship than white workmen.
The difference between the Georgia and
the Carolina msm bers of the union is an
old one. Several months ago the Georgia
members claimed that their Carolina
brethren were importing men from the
sea islands in order to fill up their ranks
and shut out the native work
men. An agreement was reached by which
each gang of five men was to consist
of three Georgians and two Carolinians
Everything went well until some of the
Carolina headers broke the agreement,
and then there was trouble in the union.
The matter was taken to the superior
court, but Judge Falligant decided that
the unions rule limiting the number from
each state that should constitute the
membership of gang could not be en-
forced by law.
The Carolina members now claim that
the Georgia members, having failed to
whip them in the courts, have Matched up
scheme by which they propose to freeze
them out. At recent meeting OF the union
change was made in the constitution so
that the headers should be elected instead
Of appointed by the employing stevedores,
as heretofore. The Carolina mem bers
voted solidly against the change, but they
were in the minority. They now claim
that the change was uncODstitutionally
made, as it was done in one night and
without previous notice, as required.
AT meeting held last week the union
proceC led to the election of headers 1t
seems that the Carolina men possessed
the majority of the headers before. AT
the election several Carolina headers
were dropped and Georgia men were
elected in their places. giving
the Georgians the majority of the
headers. AS the headers select the
gangs the minority claim that it is the
purpose of the majority to freeze them
out by appointing only Georgia men on
the gangs AT the next election they say
the rest of the Carolina headers will be
dropped and then the minority will be
shut out entirely.
The Carolina men claim that while the
Georgia members outnumber them in the
union, they compose the brain and muscle
OF the union and are given the preference
OF employment by the business
men. This is why they say their
fellow members are endeavoring to
get rid of them. They now propose
to appeal to the employing white steve
dores who have heretofore named the
headers and they rely upon them not to
yield this privilege. With the naming of
the headers in the hands of the stevedores
the Carolina men are confident that they
will stand good showing
A card from the Carolina headers in to-
days MORNING News states that the
slgners did not agree to the election
of headers and that the use of their
names appended to a circular issued to the
business men, giving the result of the
election, was without their authori-
ty. The card is signed by
Sandy Rhett, John Williams, Peter
Bruen, Harry D. Cannicl1, Edward Jack
son, Charles Bill, Edward Simmons,
Gabriel B. Young, Richard Williams,
Robert Priley, George Anderson, Dennis
Simmons, Benjamin Norman, r. f. Will
llams, Collins Chisholm, Tony Smalls,
George Singleton, William Dolley, Charles
Atkins and A. II. Grant, chairman.
They declare their intention of contin-
uing work as they have in the past in dis
regard of the recent action of the union.