Newsies Halloween 2024 | 9th June
Hey all! Final post for this article of the paper!! And as per usual, if you have any feedback, constructive criticism or notice any errors, feel free to let me know!
~~~~~~~~~~
Who Were The Newsies?
Up until the 1900's, young boys and girls would hawk at street corners, waving the daily newspaper high above their heads, desperately trying to sell them for a penny per paper, these were known as newsies. Throughout history, these poor children (often no older than thirteen) were frequently mistreated by the upper-class members of society, including their own employers. The papers were often overpriced and the newsies were forced to lie their way into selling papers if there wasn't a truthful headline they could shout into the streets.
The newsies would often go on strike in an attempt to receive better pay or treatment. But, the owners of the various papers paid them no heed as they assumed that within a few days the newsies would realise that their lack of work equated to less money to afford shelter and food. But there was one strike that didn't proceed as anticipated and changed the course of history forever.
The Newsboys Strike of 1899
While this strike began in 1899, it's story begans a bit earlier. In 1898, during the Spanish-American war, paper sales skyrocketed. Newspaper owners were keen to cash in on this sudden craze for papers, they decided that the best way to do so was to raise the price of newspapers bought by the newsies themselves. At the time, the newsies weren't too highly distraught, as the were selling well enough to buy the newly priced newspapers, which were raised from 50 cents per hundred to 60 cents.
After the war officially ended in August of that year, many newspapers lowered their prices. But, two notable newspapermen hadn't budged their price. These men were William Randolf Hearst of The Journal and Joseph Pulitzer of The World.
Once almost a full year had passed the circulation was down and the 10-cent extra was yet to be removed, the young newsies had found themselves down in the dirt and having to eat their unsold papers. By the summer of 1899 they decided that enough was enough, and on July 19th the Lower Manhattan newsies had gathered in City Hall Park and formed a union. Soon word spread about this union and they declared that if prices were not dropped they would strike.
In the early days of the strike, the newsies were violent. If anyone was discovered to be selling the newspapers, they would be swarmed and beaten with their papers being completely destroyed. The owners were desperate to keep their sales up, so they paid adult men to sell their papers with the promise of police protection, but the striking children would often find ways to pass the police and get their hands on these "scabbing" men. There was one famous incident of the newsies surrounding and tipping over a newspaper wagon to stop it from delivering papers throughout the city.
Despite the challenges they faced, the newsies persevered. To get word out to as many people as possible to boycott the newspapers, they created flyers and banners which were scattered throughout the city and handed to people in the streets.
July 26th 1899, Kid Blink and David Simmons, the leaders of the strike, were rumoured to have betrayed the union and agreed to sell the newspapers in exchange for money and bribe. While they repeatedly denied these accusations, the newsies pointed out their new-looking suits which they believed to be proof of the boys working for the newspaper excecutives for higher pay. Due to the mounting suspicions, Blink and Simmons both stepped away from their leadership roles to try avoid any more speculation.
After Kid Blink and David Simmons left their positions, the union found itself without leaders. Other newsies stepped up to try keep the union together but none of them held the same power that the two boys once did.
On the 1st of August, the newspaper owners finally gave in and offered the newsies a compromise. The newspaper price would stay at 60c but any unsold papers would be bought back from the newsies - this ensured that the newsies wouldn't need to sell for hours after dark to avoid losing possible pay. The newsies accepted this deal and the strike was officially ended on the 2nd of the same month.
During the strike, there were many people outside of the newsies that risked their social status and safety to offer them aid in their dire time of need. One of the most discredited was Annie Kelly. She was a newswoman and was very popular among the newsies for being one of the few newswomen who were loyal to the strike. She was also known as the newsies ‘patron saint’. During a rally held by the newsies at The Irving Hall, she was the only woman to make a speech.
***
Since the strike, the newsies have been immortalised in many pieces of media. The 1992 Disney film was inspired by these courageous newsboys and girls. And while many parts have been altered, it still shares a powerful message, commemorating the efforts of these children whose actions started a children's rights movement which spread far across America. The impacts of this movement are still seen today and ensured a safer future for hundreds of children.
~~~~~~~~~~
If you have any questions, feel free to contact either @scottzerrss or myself :)
(Also this post will be continued to be edited rather than me having to rewrite it every time I want to post it :))
