On friday moming the cigarette hands in the factory of
blackwell & co. durham, nc, eighty-nine in number, on
entering their department very coolly took their seats and
turned their backs upon their work. it was soon perceived
that a strike was on foot. mr. w. t. blackwell was sent for
at once. he is not a bit of an orator, but a most effective
speaker, going at once to the point. he asked what was
wanted. the leader, an englishman, announced that they
wanted the discharge of the inspector of cigarettes, and
they wanted more pay. "as for the first," said mr. b.,"
propose to run this establishment. i selected my inspector.
the reputation of my factory depends on my judgment. as
for more pay, i will not yield to demands made in this way.
now let every one of you go back to his work. i will give
you one minute to do that. if not, there is a door big
enough for you all to go out fast enough. take your
choice."
all went back to work, and thus ended the strike.
- the u. s. tobacco journal
is the source of the passage above likely to be biased?