The San Francisco Iron Strike [pp. 39-47]

The San Francisco Iron Strike.
lege School. The number of these I do not
know, but it must have been several hundred.
Among the gentlemen who delivered commencement orations or alumni addresses
were Professor J. D. Whitney, Bishop Kip,
Rev. T. Starr King, Judge 0. L. Shafter,
Rev. Dr. A. L. Stone, Professor Benjamin
Silliman, Professor Henry Durant, Rev. Dr.
J. A. Benton, Rev. Dr. Horatio Stebbins,
Rev. Dr. I. E. Dwinell, and Rev. Dr. Eli
Corwin. Nearly all these addresses and orations, together with the poems that accompanied them, were published from time to
time by the College in large editions; as also
the short-hand reports of the proceedings,
speeches, etc., at the meetings of the alumni.
These, together with other published reports
and papers, constitute a not inconsiderable
contribution to the home literature of California.
The work of the Board of Trustees was
no small tax on the time and attention of
the members. This work grew with the
growth of the institution. Meetings had
to be held always as often as once a month,
and much of the time oftener. The members were gentlemen of the very busiest class,
but yet they were generally prompt in their
attendance, and were cheerful and patient in
the midst of the details of a business needing
large means, but having only a small income.
There was a general concurrence of judgment, and seldom a divided vote.
It is sixteen years since the College of
California transferred its work to the University of California, but until now there has
been no sketch of its history written. But its
books, records, and original papers, together
with most of its correspondence, are preserved. So, also, are its annual catalogues
and its numerous publications, consisting of
reports, appeals, circulars, programmes, addresses, orations, and poems. A full and
detailed history of the College has been written, narrating its progress from year to year.
In this volume is incorporated a selection of
its choicest addresses, orations, and poems.
It will be preserved for reference or for publication, as may seem required in future
time.
So concludes a chapter in the history of
early educational work in this State, covering in all nearly twenty years; and it is especially inscribed to the former patrons and
students of the departments of the College
of California.
S. h. Willey.
THE SAN FRANCISCO IRON STRIKE.
FIRST PAPER.
I ANM asked to explain in behalfof the ironworkers who a few months since resisted the
proposed reduction of wages by the iron
manufacturers of this city, the reasons why
the workmen did not accept the representations of the employers that the reduction
was absolutely necessary, and consequently
resisted it. I desire to state as well as I am
able the side of the iron-workers of this city in
their differences with the manufacturers.
Perhaps it would not be out of place to give
here a short history pof the strike.
The first intimation the workmen had that
there was to be a reduction of their wages,
was contained in the following notice, which
was posted in the Union, Pacific, Risdon,
Fulton, Empire, and National workshops, on
Saturday, February 7th, i885:
Notice.
In consequence of the depressed condition of
business and the recent universal reduction of wages
in the East, which has decreased the prices of machinery more than twenty-five per cent. below those
of any previous time, and the importations having resulted in a general decrease of work produced here,
and in order to avoid a general discharge of employees, and perhaps an entire suspension of work, we
39
1885.]