This particular man was much disliked by his workmen and the trade generally. The moment he appeared in sight the anger of the mob broke loose. Men and women attacked him savagely, beating him
and throwing stones at him. Fortunately for him, he happened to have a pistol with him, and he was able to hold the crowd at bay until the police came to his aid.
It is to be hoped that matters may be settled without further violence. Thus far the sympathy has been altogether with the strikers, as the bad pay and long hours of the tailors have been well known for a very long time.
The attention of the Government has been directed to the present strike, and Mr. Gage, the Secretary of the Treasury, sent a committee to inquire into it.
He had been informed that the poor pay which tailors earn was due to the fact that there were more workers than was necessary; and the trade was over-crowded by Russians and Poles who are willing to work for starvation wages.
Mr. Gage wished to find out whether too many Russian immigrants were being allowed to enter the country, and whether he ought not to restrict immigration for the protection of the tailoring trade.
The result of his inquiries has not yet been learned.
A gentleman in Texas who has read about the sufferings of the strikers, and the poor wages they are able to earn, has written a long letter, advising them to go out to Texas, and start fruit farms for themselves.
He says the land is waiting for workers, and the labor required is light and pleasant. He thinks it would be much better for the tailors to go where their labor would bring a good reward instead of starving miserably in cities.