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Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 15, 2024 ~ The Old Sachem ~ Shoemaking in Massachusetts By Bill Stewart L ynn and many other Massachusetts communities produced shoes for the nation throughout the 19th century and into the early years of the 20th century. Forty percent of all shoes used were made in Massachusetts in the early 1900s. The panic of 1857 reduced the number of jobs for shoemakers, and businesses reduced their wages. Wages were low, with men receiving $3 and women only $1. The workers were not happy with the situation and decided to do something about it. On Washington’s birthday, February 22, shoemakers walked off their jobs in a strike for better working conditions and increased pay; Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 3,000 workers left their jobs in Lynn. The strike would extend to 25 New England towns and include New Hampshire and Maine. About 20,000 workers went on strike within New England. There were marchers, parades and local police attempted to end the tumult without success. Women led the strike in Lynn, with 6,000 people taking part in the actions, and even a blizzard did not end the action. On March 8 the women paraded with signs reading “American ladies will not be slaves. Give us fair compensation and we will labor cheerfully.” The presidential election of 1880 was moving along and the Republican candidate, Abraham Lincoln, voiced support for the workers, saying “I am glad to see that a sys“The Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Joanie Allbee) tem of labor prevails in New England under which laborers can strike when they want to, where they are not obligated to labor whether you pay them or not. I like a system which lets a man quit when he wants to, and wish it might prevail everywhere.” At the time it was one of the largest workers strikes in United States history. The strike had widespread support throughout the communities of the region. It ended on April 10 when 30 employers agreed to their demands to raise wages. The strike is considered a partial win for the workers – their nationally recognized unions were accepted and most workers received a wage increase. A leader of the strike, Alonzo G. Draper, later became a General in the northern Army during the civil war. There was some violence during the strike, with clashes of the local police and even with police of Boston being called in to help the local authorities. Moses Folger Rogers was not impressed with the strikers. He was dismayed by the number of women in the action. He stated, “…there is a strike among the ladies who I understand, propose parading the streets tomorrow to the number 2000.” He later added, “I will not undertake to give an account of the disgraceful & shameful deeds enacted in this city since the Strike commenced, suffice it to say that I never witnessed anything in my life which appeared so appalling & fearful.” He was not typical of the city judging by the newspaper accounts. In a book by Alan Dawley, he wrote, “Without the action of women, it is questionable whether the strike would have occurred at all, and certainly without them it would have been far less.” The Lynn strikers had some political success; most of the city government were ousted in the next election. With the ending of the strike, the workers happily returned to their jobs with an increase of pay, which helped the economy. (Editor’s Note: Bill Stewart, who is better known to Saugus Advocate readers as “The Old Sachem,” writes a weekly column about sports – and sometimes he opines on current or historical events or famous people.) Countdown Till Town Meeting Editor’s Note: The 2024 Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 6. As a special service to our readers and the registered voters of Saugus, we will reach out to the 50 Town Meeting members, focusing on one precinct each week, in the weeks leading up to the start of Town Meeting, asking members about their expectations for the upcoming Town Meeting. This week, we received responses from two of the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 3. For next week’s newspaper, we will reach out to the five Town Meeting members from Precinct 4 Question One: What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2024 Town Meeting session? Leonard Ferrari As a newly elected town meeting member I feel that the top priority for the town is to continue to improve Saugus financially. Saugus has made some progress in recent years and it shows in our strong bond rating. I believe it’s also important that we use those finances to improve the town’s infrastructure, schools and upgrade our parks, especially Stocker, Stackpole and Anna Parker. The vacant commercial spaces and vacant school areas are a concern for me as well. I would like to see these properties be put to use and generate income for the town. It would be beneficial to the town to gain tax revenue from these properties. We need to decide what is the best use for these vacant properties. The town also needs to address the housing situation in reference to the MBTA communities requirement for Multi-Family zoning. I agree with Mark J. Bell, a fellow town meeting member, who said that the town needs a plan to comply and educate the residents about the plan. It needs to be addressed now for the future of Saugus. Mark Sacco The priority is building or advocating for more hang out spots, developing with the surrounding residents’ consideration in mind - like the Ballard gardens - and less of the commercialization of our town - like what was presented at last year’s town meeting (i.e. Cliftondale zoning article) - we live in a busy world with route one running right down the middle of us and it is viMEETING| SEE PAGE 8

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