Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1899-04-10

nearly midnight. The purpose of the
gathering was to discuss the arsenal
strike and to hear the opinions of
prominent citizens, not involved in
the controversy, as to whether, in
their belief, the machinists were right
in the stand they have taken. A. F.
Lockhart. of Moline, presided, and
called the meeting to order. He in
troduced as the first speaker c. j.
Searle, of Rock Island. Mr.. Searle
read the communication of the ma
chinists to Mai. S. E. Blunt, and the
latter's reply thereto. He told of
visit Senator William Payne and he
had made to Maj. Blunt during the
day in hopes of assisting in bringing
about settlement of the difficulty.
They were received by the command
ant, who informed them he was act
ing in conformity to the law and reg
ulations governing hinr- MIR. Ssarle
said the commandant had been sus-
tanned in refusing to communicate
with a committee of machinists,
from the acting secretary of war
down, and theref re the men
could not expect any compromise
from him. 1t would be necessary to
pursue other channels to secure the
desired end. The men would have to
solicit the influence of their senators
and representatives. Mr.. Searle con-
tended that as American citizens they
were entitled to an audience with
the commandment. Mr.. Searle said
the rule in question was promulgated
over 20 years ago. 1t involved the
same principle that caused the first
conflict between unions and employ
ers. Proprietors of private institutions
had been obliged to receive committees
representing their employees, and the
government should be made to do
likewise.
Nj. j. McEniry, of Moline, said the
strike was unfortunate, and was re-
GREETED by the people of the three
men was just and would eventually
triumph. He said 1t was not asked
that the arsenal shops be unionized.
The men only requested that Il COM
mittee representing them be received
by the commandant, TO whom it was
desired to present and endeavor to
have remedied slight grievance.
This humble request being refused,
the country had gone beyond it's
sphere of right and freedom. The
dismissal from the island of John
who did such able
work for the machinists at Washing
ton, was sighted. Mr.. McEniry pre-
dicted reasonable settlement of the
trouble when the inspector
arrived. He urged the machinists to
be loyal to their cause, and not do
that would create a preiu-
dicial impression in the mind of the
inspector.
Says Men Are In Right.
a. p. McGuirk, of Davenport, said
that the men were in the right, and
when they attempted-to seek an adj
justment of their grievances through
4 committee of their number they
were only following a prac,i ice that
had been recognized the world over in |
shops and factories. He said that if |
the committee went to Washington it |
would be granted an audience by |
President Mckinley. If there was a |
law against the receiving of commit |
tees by arsenal commandments Mr.. Me- |
Iuirk said it should be abolished. He |
advised the men to stay out if it took |
al summer to win their point. He |
said in conclusion that authority |
should not forget humanity.
DIR. j. w. Morgan, of Moline, said
he public was on the side of the ma
and they would win if they
conducted their cause in proper man
ler. If the point was lost, corpora
ions all over the country would fol-
ow the example set by the govern
nent. , DIR. Morgan saw no reason
why Commandment Blunt should re-
use to see the committee.
j. K. Scott, of this city. held that
f the stand taken by Mai. Blunt was
n accordance with the laws, the laws
should be changed. He believed
wage should be paid by
he government to its employees, then
men could expect fair wages
If private institutions. He predicted
hat it would not be long before moth
ng but union labor would be en-
,loyed at Rock Island arsenal.
George w. Scott, of Davenport,
that our public institutions
we're governed by the people and not
" officers. Every American citizen
lad right to petition the govern
nent and their petitions were entitled
o tair and respectful consideration
lie said that the existing difficulty
hould be solved to the bottom, and
lie was confident the machinists would
re victorious, as they had the sympa-
by of the people in their cause.
w. A Meese, of Moline, was the
asst speaker. He believed all the
prominent men of the community
Tere willing to help the machinists,
5 the principle for which they were
was just. He urged COM
with the authorities at
where he believed the
rievances of the machinists would be
iven n respectful hearing. He said
he men who had returned to work ,
hould be seen and talked to and