Year: 1876

standing room could not even be had The
audience composed OF men and women.
and their appearance would Justify the remark
Pratt Three TS policemen ssSa wsre prsss1, % q pre-.
serve order but they not needed AZ all present
conducted themselves IN a most creditabe manner
Jahes Lewis was chosen chairman, ana ne ex-
planned the reason why tho meeting bad boen called,
after which relief committee, composed Of two rep
le9en.S''es e, Of eAch department In the mills we're
eee'ea rms committee Will also have the future
control Of the movements OF the strikers Several OF
the committee were called upon to give their views
upon the ah-important question


REMARKS on rHE OPERArIvEs


Caleb Ramsbottom the arst speaker He ad-
vised them TO stand TO man and woman 70 woman
Unity what they wanted He advised them to
keep from getting excited and 10 conduct themselves
would avorably impress their employers and the
press II they kept from any noisy demonstrations on
the street one could and fault with them he
did not think there any need Of the
the mill owners had stated, when they put
up a placard IN the several departments Of the
mills Informing them OF proposed cut down and
what the reduction TO be- II would not have caused
so much m feeling His right hand and heart would 80
with them, and he would divide his last crust OF
bread with any one who was IN need OF H. ~ me
speaker said this he visiby Affected as we're also
several Of the ladies' In conclusion ho told them 10
stick close and be true TO each other.


John Rodey hoped they would keep COOL for by con-
ducting themselves properly he thought that they
would gain their point


Henry Donnelly dad not believe in the strike at nrst
and did not yet but while he out be would stay
out and help his brethren and sisters gain their just
victory Those who remained IN the mills he thought
too cowardly TO turn out


Thomas McBrayman said a woman caused him TO
leave the mill and AS they elected him TO represent
them he would DO all IN his power for their common
interest.


William Maynard said that he was one Of the hrst 10
leave the mill and he would be Of the last enter
He had rather walk the streets than work for dollar
day for the lords OF Rhode Island


or CHAIRMAN


The Chairman then made stirring address which
listened TO with great interest After referring
A lka IN N
go TO work on MoncayS Cries Of "No no /" made the
hall ring and II was some time before order could be
restored. Continuing he said the villages Of Hope
and Phenix had just struck and were with them in
their efforts TO enough money to keep the wolf
from the door. Since December o. 1874 they had been
reduced thirty three per cent and he asked this
justice In free country. In conclusion he
counselled them against making any noisy
demonstration and this fact, In connection with
the request OF the other speakers Is certainly their
favor motion was carried that on Monday after
noon, at one O'clock the operatives from both places
should assemble, and accompanied by two bands OF
music proceed to Berkeley This decision was enthu-
slasticaly received II was suggested that the process
sion also proceed TO Ashton whereupon the Chairman
informed them that reduction had been made
there this does not coincide with Mr. Pratts state
ment) he hoped demonstration would be made
that direction II was wisely voted TO do as he
quested, after which tho meeting adjourned and the
vast assembly quietly betook themselves 10 their sew
eral homes


In order to give both sides fair hearing your corre-
spondent called upon the chairman OF the meeting at
its close he having beforehand ascertaned that he
lr Lewis was fair representative OF the operatives
The following statement made to him was pronounced
correct by at least twenty persons who have the
spcc of the community, and who were listening as Mr.


STATEMENT or AN OPERATIVE


Last December the Lonsdale Manufacturing Com
pany began reducing wages which even now are
thrtythree per less than they at that time
Up to within short time the company have been re-
cevng twelve and half cents per yard for their cloths
which are OF an unusually nne quality, and even now
they get and three quarter cents per yard One
year ago this month the company had 800 cases OF
goods stored and, stated above the wages OF their
employees were thirty three per cent more than they
receive now This year they have not single
hand and even the cloth on the looms is all sold TO
Woodwood, Lawrence Co, OF New York The re-
duction went into effect January TO- two weeks notice
having been given. The wages OF the men before the
cut down was $28 per month, and should they
consent 10 return to their looms they would receive
but S25 per month, or 81 day. taking out Sundays
The women before the strike were receiving $l9 and
would receive now but $l7 Many OF the men, and
the also have large families, who are dependent
upon them for their daily bread. number Of the
men before the strike could not earn but ninety
cents per day. The rents Of tenements were by
by Mr. Pratt but the meat which the company fur
nished them only cent cheaper than It was be-
fore the strike Ho also suestan.ia'ed all that Mr.:
strike and the calling OF the committee upon him
bir Pratt) The bleachery employees held meeting
and appointed committee to walt upon Mr.. Bryne,
their overseer and the following copy OF the letter
that the committee the bearers OF 70 Mr. Bryno


LETTER TO The ovERsEKR


LoEsDALE, Jan. IL, 1870
D.An saxt meeting held by the help of Lon-dale
RssoIved That do work under the present
Hoping you will favor the undorsgnod with your


j. McCRYsToLL. jr., committee


j. FITZGERALD,


The following reply was received


REPLY OF THE ovERsEER.


Providence. Jan I3 1879
GEORGE KBURS. Esq. suporntondeni LOnsdAIe MAuufac
DRaR are in receipt of your note Of this date en-
closing resolution by our beachey hands refusing 70 re-
Mr. Bryne early communication OF the bleach
You viii please instruct Mr. Bryne to make known our an
the communication Of the committee tha. owing 90
Ss oSscS se to p our mills m snS
works or 20 reduce wages Wo choose the lat
duty to provide work lor our hands even at
tho hazard Of unremunera,iye business 90 MS From
this decrease shall not recede either with respect
tho mills the bleachey We depore the consequence
great folly but the responsibility rests upon them
upon We have instructed parties wto have hitherto
them We desire be vindictvc therefore
bs oan S Of tBor son.ra WITH u lex work Without
working a fortnghts notice. and viii pay them all they
have assa Company
Thus the situation remains at this writing and the
manufacturers OF Rhode Island are looking at the sou-
ton Of the problem whether work for 81 day
with good deal Of interest Should the Brown X
Ives Company carry their point others contemplate do
ing kewise but some Of them state that they are glad
they did not take the first STEP preerrng 70 let ali The
cd um fall upon the originat0rs Of the reduction.


The meeting Of Monday Is attracting good deal OF
throughout this section OF the State and II Is
fervently hoped that Of violence will DO CON-
mitted.


ON TO THE PARK.


The New York Elevated Railroad Company WILL on
Tuesday morning start regular trains between the Bat
terry and Fny-nnth street. The hrst trains in the
morning according 70 the time table. start from the