SERIOUS DISTURBANCES IN CORK.

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 720, 20 September 1870, Page 4

SERIOUS DISTURBANCES IN CORK.

The porters in several establishments in Cork struck on June 27 for an advance in wages. They went on board a vessel, and the men, being reluctant to join, were assaulted. The porters employed in the Cork Steampacket Company got an increase to 383, and immediately the sailor 3in the same service, who receive 245, struck for 4s more. Several persons were beaten for attempting to resume work. The city, which was in a state of great excitement, was occupied by police and military. The state of Cork has been a subject of considerable uneasiness. The number of men out of work has been largely increased by strikes in several of the leading establishments in the city. The military and police have been harassed by constant duty and exposed to ill-treat-ment from the mob, and even from persons in a more respectable class of life. Among the prisoners brought up before the magistrates were some tailors' and drapers' assistants, who, it was sworn, Sting missiles oub of the establishments in which they are employed upon the heads of the constabulary. Tho tailors' grievance is, that they are injured by the introduction of sewing machines. They have been remanded for further examination. The Mayor and magistrates have been blamed for inactivity, but they seem now aroused to a full sense of their responsibility, and have issued a proclamation warning all peaceably disposed citizens of the danger of remaining in the public streets after nine o'clock at night. Brien, who was stabbi d by the police during the riots, is not expected to recover. The city has become more tranquil since the authorities began to act. The other morning, as some machines were being conveyed through the main street, Killarney, to a farm outside the town where they are employed on hire, a number of labourers made an effort to seize and detain them. They were, however, dissuaded from their purpose on being promised by the party having charge of the machines that they would not be put into requisition beyond that day. They then proceeded to the rent-office of Mr Thomas Gallwey, who, on hearing their complaint, stated that Lord Castlerosre would, on his arrival from London, take the grievance into consideration. The importation of machinery to Killarnoy (says the Cork Examiner) has created a very strorg feeling of indignation amongst persons of all classes. The agricultural labourers attri-

Bute the want of employment to the sup pression of manual labour by the new implements. On July 4 a numerous body of agricultural labourers assembled at Charle-

ville, and marched in a body to meadows near the town where mowing machine.! were working, to destroy them. The proprietor had time to remove one machine, but the other was seized and brokeu. Strikes also took place amongst the laborers on the Fermoy and Listowel Railway, which the Duke of Devonshire is constructing, and on part or the Great Southern and Western Railway. Disturbances have taken place in Youghal. The laborers in the town and neighborhood turned out for an increase of wages. The demand was in most instances refused. The workmen at the potteries burned two large ricks of faggots to intimidate the owners. Formidable mobs paraded the town on July 8, breaking windows and compelling men to leave work. An effort has been made by the London Society of Tailors, through their secretary, Mr George Druitt, to effect a settlement of the dispute between the masters and journeymen tailors of Cork, but it has failed, the latter having repudiated the interference of the London society. It appears the only point now at issue in the dispute is as to the use of the sewing machines by the masters. They have conceded the advance of the per hour asked for by the men, and" have withdrawn their resolution not to employ society men, but insist upon their right to use sewing machines whenever and whereever they think proper. There is no hope of any present settlement. The other trades in the city have all passed resolutions urging the tailors to keep to their demands, and pledging them support. The majority of the London workmen strongly disapprove the recent conduct of of their Cork brethren. Considerable popular agitation prevails in Limerick, and a general strike of the laboring classes in connection with the movement in Cork is anticipated A meeting of laborers was held on 10th June, and it was resolved to form a regular organisation on the model of the Cork Laborers' Club, but no decision with respect to the strike was come to. Meetings of the local magistrates were held on 9th July, and next day reinforcements of police were drafted into the city.