Rensselaer Republican, Volume 20, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1888 — HARRISON AND LABOR. [ARTICLE]

HARRISON AND LABOR.

MIS RELATION TO THE STRIKE? OFIB7T.ANDTO THE LABOR ” QUESTION GENERALLY. The Testimony of Mon Who Were PereoH*Uy Concerned In the Events of Eleven Years Ago, and Who Know Whereof They Speak The General's Advice, Action and Council Were Valuable to Both Sides. Tbaßarnrd of an Hunorabla and Conatotaat Fr.a«.d of American WorkingmenHe to Utth Laboring Men on all Croat laanea. "'.A 1

Indlaaapolii Journal. In calling attention to General Harrison’s connection to the great railroad strike of 1877 his political opponents have rendered him essential service. Although a minor incident of his life there is nothing in his whole honorable career more honorable to him than his conduct during that affair. It was eminently characteristic of the man, of his good" citizenship, of his loyalty to dutv, and devotion to law and order, and of his unwavering friendship for the working classes. The Journal takes pleasun* in recalling this passage in Genend Harrison’s career, and in order that honor may be given to whom honor is due, the main facts of the event are herewith presented. They ought to win liitn thousands of votes among good citizens of all classes, and especially among workingmen. The great rSilroad strike of 1877, the most extensive and memorable on record, became local in this city on the 23d of July, in that year. It was based on an apparently just demand of the employes tor an increase of wages, but the strike had pit beyond their control and assumed alarming proportions. Starting in a labor strike it threatened to become a popular insurrection. Already business was paralyzed, many of the leading railroads of the country were tied up, factories were closing by the scores, rioting and bloodshed had occurred at Baltimore, Pittsburg, ami other places, millions of dollars’ worth of property had been destroyed, a reign" of terror inaugurated and the scenes of the French Commune seemed on the point of being repeated, This diabolical work was not done by the workingmen nor mainly by the strikers, but by an uncontrollable mob which seized the opportunity to do mischief. The situation was full iff peril.

The strike in this city resulted in the immediate steppage of all trains and a general cessation of railroad traffic. This was accompanied by acts of violence and demonstrations of force which, in view of the recent riots at Pittsburg and elsewhere, caused great alarm. Mobs were parading the streets in Chicago and Louisville, and there were fears of trouble here. In this situation Mayor Caven, ou July 24, issued a call for a meeting of citizens “to consult as to measures for the public safety," stating in the call that “me sures for organization, for the protection of life and property would be adopted.” In response to the call a mass-meeting of citizens was held, at which the Mayor presided. He stated that while he did not think there was anything to be feared from the strikers themselves; “there was a vicious element of population that was ready to do any act of violence, for the purpose of plunder, and there was danger that such might take advantage of the strike to carry out their schemes.” He therefore suggested that a committee of safety be appointed and that the citizens organize for military duty in ease it should become necessary. In accordance with this suggestion, a committee of twentyfive was appointed, among whom were Hon. Joseph E. McDonald, Gen. John Love, a leading Democrat of that day, and other prominent citizens of both parties. Places were also designated for the enrollment of citizens to preserve tin? Saee. At thio meeting, Hon. Franklin nders moved the appointment of a committee of ten “of the most prudent men that could be selected, to confer with the committee of the strikers in a friendly spirit, and ascertain just what their demands are ami what they propose to do,” and’to endeavor to arbitrate matters between them and the railroads. Gen. Benjamin Harrison was appointed oh this committee of ten. On the next day. July 25, this committee met a committee of the strikers in the Council chamber, the grand secretarv of the Brotherhood of ■ Locomotive "Engineers acting as chairman of the strikers' committee, A free discussion of the situation was had, in which, according to the press reports of that day, “Gen. Harrison made an eloquent and logical speech of some length. He counseled obedience to law, but at the same time very strongly expressed the opinion that the'wages stated were too low, and desired very much that they should be raised. He was willing to use his influence with those in authority in favor of this desired increase, , Meanwhile the threatening asjiect of affairs continued, and the danger of the situation was in no wise undiminished. On the afternoon of the 26th of July a meeting of citizens was held, at which it was unanimously decided that, ‘’although there might be no danger of mob violence, the city should at once be placed in a condition that would make any riotous demonstrations impossible.” Judge Gresham spoke at this meeting, and urged prompt and vigorous action. An executive committee was appointed, of which Judge Gresham, Senator McDonald, Gen. Harrison and others were members. - Governor James D. Williams (“Blue Jeans") issued the following: The State of Indiana, ) — —Executive Department. L A Proclamation by the Governor relative to certain disturbanceaof the peace 1 by striking employes of railroad com-

T« ihe People o< Indian*: Many disaffected, employes of railroad companies doing business in this State have renounced their employments "because Of alleged 'grievances, aud have conspired to enfbree their demands by detaining trains of tneir late employers, seizing’ andcontrolling their property." intimidating their managers, prohibiting by violence sberr attempts to conduct their business, and driving away passengers and freight offe red ion. The peace of the community is seriously disturbed by these lawless acts. Every class of society is made to suffer. The comfort and happiness of many families not parties to grievances are sacrificed. A controversy which belongs to our courts, or to the province of peaceful arbitration or negotiation is made the

excuse for an olwtruetibn of trade and travel oyer the cliartered commercial highways of our State. The commerce of tne entire country is interfered with and the reputation of our community is threatened with dishonor among. our neighbonk This disregard of law ami the rights and privileges of our citizens and those of sister States cannot be tolerated. The machinery' provided by law' for the adjustment of private grievances must be used as the only resort against debtors, individual or corporate. The j process of the court is deemed sufficient j for the enforcement of civil remedies, as well as the penaltiesof the criminal code, and must be.executed equally in each casei To the end that the existing combination be dissolved and destroyed in its lawless form I invoke the aid of all the law-abiding citizens of our State. I ask that they denounce and condemn this infraction'of public order, and endeavor to dissuade these offenders against the peace and dignity of our State from further acta of lawlessness. ■*-

To the Judiciary: I appeal for the prompt and rigid administration of justice in proceedings of this nature. To the Sheriffs of the Several Counties: I commend a careful study of the duties imposed upon them by statute, which they have sworn to discharge. 1 admonish each to use the full power of his county in the preservation of order and the suppression of breaches of the peace, assuring them of mv hearty co-operation with the power of the State at my command when satisfied that occasion requires its exercise. To those who have arrayed themselves against government and are subverting law and order and the best interests of society by the waste and destruction of property, the derangement of trains and the ruin of all classes of labor, I appeal for an immediate abandonment of tiieir unwise and unlawful confederation. I convey to them the voice of the law, which they,cannot afford to disregard. I trust that its admonition may be so promptly heeded that a resort to extreme measures will be unnecessary and that the authority of the law and the dignity of the State, against which they have so grievously offended, mav be restored and dulv- respected hereafter. Given at Indianapolis this 26th day of July, 18</. Witness the seal of the State and the signature of the Governor. James D. Williams.

• After issuing this proclamation, Governor Williams decided to appoint a commander of the volunteer militia, and at the suggestion of the committee of public safety selected General Benjamin Harrison as that commander. The following letter was accordingly sent to General Harrison:

State of Indiana, I Execitive Department, > Indianapolis, July 26, 1877. J Dea’s Sir—l have to request that you will assume command of all the military forces organized and to be organized at the eapitol for the preservation of order and the protection of life and property during the existing emergency. Jam rs D. Williams, Governor.

To Gen. Benjamin Harrison: In reply General Harrison declined the commission with thanks, as he was already lucaptain of one of the volunteer militia companies, organized to prevent rioting. He recommended the appointment of Gen. Daniel Macauley to command the militia. Governor Williams adopted General Harrison’s suggestion, and issued the following commission to ■Macauley. The State of Indiana.

To AH Who Shull See These Presents, Greeting. Whereas, I have been officially informed of the existence in Marion and adjoining counties of an unlawful Combination of disaffected employes of railroad companies whose lines center at the capital, which threatens the property and the lives of the community, and is beyond the power of the civil authorities to control, and may require the use of the militia.

Therefore, Know ye that in the name and by the authority of the State aforesaid, I do hereby appoint and commission Daniel Macauley, of Marion county, a Brigadier.,G£iieral of the Indiana Legion, do command the organized m ilitia, to serve as such from the- 26thday of July, 1877, and until the emergency requiring appointment shall have TkksedV ~ .——-

witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand, and caused to be affixed the seal of the State, at the city of Indianapolis, this 26th day of July, in the year of our Lord, 1877, the sixty-first of the State, and of the independence of the United States the one hundred and second. James D; Williams. Pursuant to this commission General Macauley issued an order calling on “all law-abiding citizens to report for the defense of law and the protection of society against lawless combination.” They were to -report at certain designated places. General Harrison being placed in command at one, Gen. W. Q. Gresham at another, and other wellknown citizen-soldiers at others. The citizens that reported for duty were enrolled, partiallv equipped and drilled for a dav or two, but happily were not required to perform any active service. During the next two days General Harrison served in the double capacity as captain of one of the companies and as a member of the committee to confer with committee. At a second conference held on the 27th of July, a report was presented which developed a conciliatory spirit,and paved the way for the settlement of the trouble. He recognized the substantial justice of the strikers,dem'aud for an increase of wages, but insisted that all unlawful means jor obtaining redress must lie abandoned before lawful efforts could be expected to prevail. This done, the conference committee pledged themselves to do all in their power to s&ure redress of $ the strikers’ grievances, and especially an increase of wages. By this' time the back-bone of the strike was broken, and things were quieting down. Railroad traffic was resumed, and the danger point wjis passed. On the 29th of July the committee of public safety issued an address to the public, announcing the restoration of order and congratulating them that it had been done without bloodshed. The committee, said the \ ’strikera'did not const itut eTile dangerous element of the situation, “but they were ! surrounded by a multitude of lawless and reckless men, who were ready to take advantage of any eommotion.” Tbe addressconcluded by sayuy “Feeling that our duties are now- endetl, and earnestly hoping that an occasion for calling into existence any similar committee may never again arise in the history of Indianapolis, we now dissolve our organization as your committee of public safetv.” The address was signed by T.

A. Morris. Benjamin Harrison, John Ix>ve. Joseph E. McDonald, Walter Q. Gresham, Connyl Baker and A. W. Hendricks.

The foregoing statement presents the main.features of the great strike as they were developed in this city without any’ attempt to give details. It shows Conclusively that General Harrison was prompt tO' recognize the essential justice lof the strikers’ aemarify and to pledge j his assistance in trying to.obtainredress for them; that he was one of the most active members of the citizens’ committee of safety and of the committee to confer with the strikers; that his course and counselweye at all times conservative; that when placed in command of a company of citizen volunteers he did not shirk that dtfty; that he at no time counseled violence, and bv no won! or act show ed the least ill-will agkinst the cause of labor or the strikers themselves; in short, that he simply discharged the duty of a good citizen in the preservation of law and order, showing himself at every stage of the affair as true a friend of the striker as he w’as of good government. That his connection with and conduct during this affair are not disapproved by prominent representatives of the workingmen is shown by the following telegram from Cleveland, O.: “P. M. Arthur, head of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, in an interview to-day expressed his satisfaction with the nomination of Harrison for President. ‘He is a first-class man,’ said Mr. Arthur, ‘and the workingmert of the country will support him. I have had dealings with him, and always found him courteous, liberal and disposed to be fair to all interests. His record on the Chinese question will not lose hint any votes among the laboring classes, because all workingmen-understand very well that General Harrison voted conscientiously in the matter, and that the antiChinese cry at that time was raised by demagogues.’’ “ ‘How will the labor organizations re-, gard General Harrison?’ “ ‘I have no doubt but they will give him a strong support. They’ recognize him as a safe man, and he stands on a sound platform.’ ” There is no more intelligent representative of the workingmen in the country than Chief Arthur. • The strike of 1877 was a strike of railroad employes, and yet the distinguished chief of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers now says General Harrison “Is a first-class man, and the workingmen of the country will support him.” Another special from Cleveland gives a still further interview with Chief Arthur, - in which he says: “General Harrison has nothing in his record that should prevent any Republican workingman from, voting for him. I regard his nomination as a strong one, and know his friendly attitude toward organized labor. Some t>me ago I went to Indianapolis to straighten out a difficulty between our men and one of the local roads, and it was principally through the good offices of General Harrison that a strike was prevented and matters were adjusted.”