Eleanor Marx by Yvonne Kapp

Eleanor Marx by Yvonne Kapp

Author:Yvonne Kapp
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Verso Books


On the 28th the stampede back to the factory ceases: many of those who went in two days before are now resolved to stay out. Eleanor tells the meeting that others, too, will think better of it and change their minds. She is indignant at the seizure of a banner, forcibly confiscated by the police during an injudicious visit to Silvertown by Princess Beatrice of Battenberg.* Eleanor reports that several Radical and Liberal M.P.s have written to the Home Office complaining of the conduct of the police in Silvertown and that other representations will be made. The Strike Committee issues a manifesto to those who have gone back to work acknowledging the generous sacrifices they have made in the interests of their lower-paid brothers and sisters but reminding them that the strikers’ case is unchanged. It assures them that if they will rejoin their fellows, no unkind word on their temporary desertion will be spoken.

On the 74th day of the strike, 29 November, there is a biting wind, yet the morning meeting in the open air, with many of the female workers in the crowd, is as well attended as ever and two other women besides Eleanor are among the speakers.*

The London Trades Council has fulfilled its promise to intercede with Gray, who replies:

“As you seem to hope that the strikers at Silvertown will resume work, you will be pleased to learn that the total number we now have at work amounts to 961. Many of those still out have agreed to return, and we are now getting the work prepared for them as quickly as we can. Some doubts have arisen in our minds as to the sincerity of your desire to see them all at work, from the efforts that have been made within the last few days to induce the men, who are now at work, to go out again. We understand our business, and our men perfectly understand the pay they have been receiving, and you do not, and therefore cannot help us or them. The agitators are entirely responsible for the loss of £20,000 in wages to our workpeople and we are very sorry that they were led away by the misstatements and misleading promises of these agitators.”



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