British Whig (Kingston, ON), March 22, 1884

p.2

SHOVELLERS' UNION.

The Editor, British Whig.

Dear Sir, - Permit me to say we are all alive and well, though the charitable outside manager of the M.T. Company deprived us of labor through a long and tedious winter. I do not know exactly what his intentions were, but I presume he wanted to create an epidemic known as the starvation fever. His intentions no doubt were good enough, but he will be glad to learn that a terrible calamity has been averted, and that he is not the cause of dire destruction. The poor shovellers can assure their benevolent friend that today there is not a healthier or hardier looking body of men, and that they have weathered his starvation siege. They have seen it stated in papers that the Union has been "busted," that the manager has gained his point. Such is not the case. We have lost two members since the formation of the Union, but we can easily afford to lose them. Their places have been filled, and by men who are not weak in the knees.

The men who compose the Union can be depended on. They will not flinch in the hour of trial. Whether they shovel or not the Union will not be "busted." They are willing to make concessions, in reason; they are willing to reduce their rates for shovelling when the times demand it. But they cannot be bullied into anything that is not just and honorable. They wish to deal uprightly and honestly with vessel men. They would be very sorry to think that any action of theirs would discourage vessels from coming to Kingston; on the contrary they would only be too happy to see our harbor filled with grain-laden vessels. They can come to terms with the Company on nearly every thing they propose. But the destruction of the Union is a point they fail to see. There is no intention to break up the Union. It will live whether the men shovel or not and they will receive the benefits as long as they are amenable to the laws of the land. No power or force, not even starvation, can compel the members of the Union to become disloyal - I remain, yours truly,

A Selected Shoveller Of The Gang. Kingston, March 20th.

p.3 Cape Vincent Notes - Capt. Hinckley has sold his scow to parties in Sackett's Harbor. D.H. Hinckley is in Canada looking up material for a new scow, which will be named the Flaxie, an appropriate name, for if built under the old Captain's practical hand she will be able to flax them all.

Personal Mention - Capt. James Dix to be master of schr. Home.

Looking It Over - Capt. Millard, of Sarnia, is in the city inspecting the schr. St. Louis with a view to purchasing it. He has a contract for carrying coal throughout the season, and wants to buy or charter several vessels. The carriage of coal westward this year, for the C.P.R., will be a new industry.

Here & There - schr. H. Dudley is undergoing repairs.

Savage & Sons awarded contract of painting Folger's boats.

Mr. Davis' new steam yacht Reindeer will be completed in a few days.