Year: 1869

The spring of each year seems to be the
generally accepted period which workngmen
select for their movements towards an advance
of pay, reduction of hours, or any of the
other changes in the operations Of their trades
which they may deem necessary. 1t has been
80 in years gone by, it is so at the present day,
and may be so in the future Three or four
years since we had the great strike OF the ship
trades for reduction Of the hours OF labor,
and which, after continuing for over three
months, ended in a most disastrous manner to
all concerned. The men employed in the va
rous branches of shipbuilding suffered Sc
verely; their trades unions were nearly


bIotted out of existence; business was driven
from our ship yards, and the effects of that
strike are felt even up to the present day.


Then followed many Of the building trades
societies. The members Of these organiza-
tions, though not as well organized as the ship
carpenters, joiners, calkers or riggers, be-
lieving the time was ripe for the enforcement
of the eight hour system, entered upon strikes,
which in the majority of cases were unsuc-
cessful. The state of affairs among the trades
at the present day is pretty much of the same
complexion. True, it is not 80 general as 1t
has been, yet the tendency in this direction
exists The clothing cutters, according to our
report published on Saturday, are about making
demand of twenty-five per cent on present
rates. What, it may be asked, justifes this
demand? Business is not remarkably good,
and twenty-five per cent is rather
large increase. The tin and metal roofers,


believing that they can accomplish the eight
hour system, are going to make the attempt.


How far successful they will be remains to be


seen The cigar makers neither demand an


increase of pay nor reduction Of hours, but
simply desire to be let alone. These men are
preparing to oppose a reduction Of wages. 1t
will be seen, therefore, that these classes of
mechanics are combining for three distinct


objects, and how many others Of the trades


will follow their example before the summer
fairly sets in it is impossible to conjecture.


We think that by this time mechanics should
know that strikes as general rule tend very
little to improve their condition. An advance


of wages or reduction of hours may be


obtained after considerable delay to the


operative as well as to the employer, but the


ultimate benefits resulting, even if the workmen


are successful, will hardly repay them for their


loss of time. More moderate reasoning would
be far more beneficial. Consultations between


the employer and employed might settle all
difficulties without necessitating the loss of a
single day. We commend this mode to the


working classes, with the hope that they may


take the suggestion in the friendly feeling in


which it is offered. Let the trial be made. 1t
can possibly do no harm and must be produc-


tive of some good. Mutual concessions may
be made and fair results will be achieved. The


declaration of war by one party against


another is altogether wrong, and no means


should be left untried to avoid such an ulti-


matum We feel satisfied that the good sense


of the workingmen will see the force of this
reasoning and act accordingly.