Whereas, there is a ten-hour system established in this state by law; we hereby resolve that we will refuse to work ten and a half or eleven hours a day as has been demanded of us.
Whereas, we believe the introduction of the new frames are detrimental to the interests of the mule-spinners; we resolve that they must be taken out, and the old mules replaced, with a written agreement that no more of the obnoxious machinery shall be added for, at least, five years.
Whereas, there has been an attempt made to reduce our wages, especially in the weaving department; we hereby resolve that we will submit to no curtailment of wages, and to demand payment of all wages weekly, as is the custom in certain other mills in this state.
Trusting that these our petitions may be granted, our rights respected, and that harmonious relations will soon be established between us, we take pleasure in signing ourselves
“Members of the Shawsheen Labor Union.”
Before John Villard had finished reading the paper, Mr. Greenough had risen and was pacing the floor excitedly.
“Shocking!” he exclaimed, as Mr. Villard folded the paper and returned it to its envelope. “Preposterous! Do they think they can impose upon me with such a jumble of unreasoning nonsense as that? Labor Union, indeed! Why, the rascals act as if there were no interests but those of labor. And a beautiful time they’ve taken to strike—when orders are pouring in faster than we can possibly keep up with them. A fine time, indeed!”
“I suppose,” said John Villard, fearlessly, “there seems a slight injustice to them, in cutting down their wages at such a time.”
“What right have they to dictate, I should like to inquire?” answered the irate agent. “If they were not a bigoted, unreasoning set, they’d know they never can serve the interests of labor in such a way. They’d realize that they are only biting off their own noses! They have probably been worked upon by some crank of an agitator. If they were not ignorant dogs, they’d know that they could best serve the interests of labor by being faithful to those of capital. Why,” he concluded, his face growing redder in his wrath, “is this America? Is this our boasted New England? Is this a free country? By Jove! I’ve heard of this sort of thing in England, but in this republican land, this boasted region of freedom—Great Scott! What are we coming to?”
“It’s this accursed trades-unionism creeping in among us,” put in the treasurer’s mild voice, as Otis Greenough paused for breath. “I’ve been expecting it.”