The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-03

license, women who work more
thar 5S hours d week. and other
offenses on the part of organized
capital, which are winked at by the
so-called preservers of law and or
der:
Therefore. be it resolved that we,
citizens of Marlboro, condemn the
action of thu late city government
for calling the state police, as I'M
usual, unnecessary and unwarrant-
ed ard
Resolved, that we petition the new
city government to request the
governor of the commonwealth to
Withdraw said state police as the
regular and reserve forces of MARI
toro are amply sufficient to pre-
serle law and order within it's boun-
daries
Mayor Plunkett yesterday re-
er he would request the with
drawal Of the police, as the strik-
ers desired But as the majority of the
new city council are strike sympathiz-
ers, 1t is likely that strong pressure will
be brought upon him to do So
w B. Rice and S. II. Howe both
called upon the governor yesterday. 1t
IS probable that the main object of their
call was to request the governor to
NCSP tilt pOllCG stationed III htIl1DOrO.
In order not to commit himself be-
fore interviewing Mr.. Howe Gompers
refrained almost entirely from any al
fusion to the existing strike. His talk
was along general lines. although he
scored II. Fl. Howe rounGJy fer his al
legged threat to wipe out of existence
the Federation of Labor He quickly
caught the favor Of the audience, and
his address was punctuated by frequent
applause. He said in part:
In view of my intended visit to Mr..
Howe tomorroy, it would be unwar-
rantaole for me to make more than the
most superficial remarks on the strike.
BUT tomorrow will have something Of
neral and exciting to tell you.
one fundamental principle is to be
FOUND in all contests such as this. II
is that the man who works insists that
there shall come to him at least living
wages, wage below which he will NOT
work. On his side the employer saws
ne cannot conduct business at the
present rate. ] find that whenever an
employer desires to cut wages he
pleads necessity and points to other
men meaner than himself All little
meas have little fieas upon their backs
TO bite en-, all through the ganut of
industry.
They point to other cities where
lower rates prevail. But, remember
that 1t is always the highest paid who
resist the most who have the most re-
serve force. Men having lower wages
than you of Marlboro have less power.
NO industry has a legal or moral right
TO exist that cannot pay living wages.
Feace is as necessary to industry
as air and sun to breathing animals.
Inc Federation of Labor does and
should do its utmost to prevent strikes
and lockouts. They demoralize both
men and women. But there is a point
when we have to take action. We have
to strike, and strike hard.
Never yet has there been a strike
that has not brought good to wage
workers. Many a strike has failed of
lts CbJect, but some Wage-earner some
where has benefited by the protest.
What is a strike? 1t is a stoppage of
production, that new relations between
employers and employed may be dis
cuSsed. 1t is an attempt to Wrest
wealth from the wealth absorber. 1t
IS an expression Of adherence on the
part of the worker of the awful condi-
lions of the day, and a declaration that
the progress of labor shall be stopped
by nobody or no thing.
No one who has endured a strike
and felt the biting pangs of hunger will
lightly advocate such action. But sac
tA'ASS 10 AACCCoSel II IL Ildu NOT DGen
for the volunteers in the revolution,
where would be our present republican
government? If not for the brave cit
iZen soldiers of the civil war. would
not now 1000, 900 negroes be in shackles?
And If ii had not been for the heroes
who gave up their lives on the hills of
Santiago and San Juan would Cuba
ever have been free?
so you shoemakers of Marlboro may
he StruRplinor a ND
your fathers suffered for the blessings
you now enjoy. You, too, must sacri-
nee yourselves that your offspring may
be born to better condition of things
than yourselves.
Now with regard to Mr.. Howe's re-
ported statement. that he will destroy
the Federation of Labor He can't Go
it. Others have tried it, The move
ment is not the result of fancy nor
Whim, but arises from present evil
economic conditions. Without it the
Workingman has no relief Therefore
it will exist 1t is ridiculous for a
man with a modicum of sense to prom
Use to destroy what lives as much in
the hearts of the people as the universe
turns on an axis.
Others have tried to kill trade unions
by branding, cutting of ears and hang
ing. Those We're in the early days, but
the working men adjourned to the
woods and continued their meetings
Judges may defile their ermine and
presidents may befoul their high office,
but trade unions will live.
Il am told that three factories will
open their doors tomorrow. Let them,
but let them close their doors at night
with no more work done than in the
morning. Go to the factories or stay
away as your leaders suggest but be
law-abiding. Above al, let it be seen
that the men of Marlboro are true The
state police are called out. Give them
no trouble. DO nothing illegal. Let
them be the first to breal. the law.
However this contest ends, prepare
for the future. Lay up strength for
yourselves in the future by laying up
treasure There is no argument that
appeals to the manufacturer like a
well filled treasury and a. well organ
lied union. If the strike fails, you
have another powerful weapon-boy-
colt. That is a thing manufacturers
fear
I'm conclusions, let me say, ] will do
all can to restore peace. What I
shall say to Mr.. Howe | do not know.
But 1t will be nothing that will njure
your cause. l shall not discuss condi-
tons. That is for you. But / ask
you, in the name of all love, be true to
yourselves and each other"
]. d. Pierce, president Of the Massa-