The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-02-12 00:00:00

OATHERING OF SOCIALISTS IN s
LONDON!
RIOTOUS PROCEEDINGS.—SHOPS
ATTACKED.

A few persons, said to be members of the Social
Democratic Federation, gathered round the fountain
on Clerkenwell-green on Tuesday night shortly after
eight o'clock, and in the course of half an hour their
numbers were increased by men and boys returning
from work to about 200. Three or four Socialists,
whose names were announced as Wilson, Walker,
Hall, and Murphy, clambered up the fountain and
addressed the gathering, two speaking at once from
the north and south sides respectively. Hall, who is
known as "Navvy Hall," said they had come there
to celebrate the anniversary of a demonstration that
took place 12 months ago, although he repudiated any
sympathy with the riots that occurred on that occa-
sion. He and his friends had intended to organise
a demonstration and torchlight procession in honour
of that event, but the police had given them
notice that that would not be permitted. He would
only say that if his audience were prepared to carry
out the programme he would assume the responsi-
bility of leading them, and he would guarantee that
no obstruction should be caused in the streets. As
no one responded to the invitation to "carry out the
programme," the speaker proceeded to move a reso-
lution condemning the authorities for sentencing
Morris to three weeks' imprisonment for "champion-
ing the cause of the unemployed," and liberally de-
nounced the "upper classes" for their indifference to
the distressful condition of the" seething masses." In
conclusion, he advised his hearers to disperse quietly
at the clog, of the meeting, as it would be unwise for
an "unorganised mob" to come into contact with
an organised and disciplined force. The resolution
was put and declared to be carried unanimously,
some 50 hands being held up in its favour. Several
other speakers uttered violent tirades against the upper
and middle classes generally and parochial authorities
particularly. The crowd gradually decreased, and
soon after 10 o'clock the meeting, if such it could be
termed, came to a close. One or two attempts were
made on the outskirts of the crowd to light torches,
but were frustrated by the police, of whom a large
force, both of foot and mounted men, was present
under the charge of Superintendent Wood. Colonel
Monsell, chief constable, was also present.
After the speeches had been delivered the mob dis-
persed in various directions. One portion, numbering
about 300 boys and young men, proceeded by Ayles-
bury-street and Compton-street into the Gos-
well-road. On reaching the baker's shop of
George Empache, at the corner of Compton-
street and Aylesbury-street, the roughs commenced
what proved to be a series of mischievous operations
by smashing a large plate-glass window. The mob,
warmed to the work, next attacked the Italian ware-
house of; Mrs. Chipp4 of 66, Compton-street, but did
not steal anything. The owner of the adjoining pre-
mises did not, however, meet with such consideration.
He was Mr. Geering, a butcher, and he was deprived
of joints of meat to the value of .£2O. Mr. Gearing
used a revolver of which he happened to be possessed,
and fired several times, and the men made a more pre,
cipitate retreat than they probably would have done
had they known that the weapon was loaded merely
with blank cartridge. Turning into Goswell-road the
mob found a plentiful supply of missiles, of
which they took ample advantage. At Tarling
Brothers' tailoring establishment, No. 42, Goswell-
road, they demolished a valuable sheet of
plate glass, covering the entire front of the ground.
floor. Messrs. Crisp, card box-makers, of 3. Goswell-
road, and Mr. De Pinna, landlord of the Horseshoe
Tavern, in the same thoroughfare, had the windows
a their establishments broken. Mr. Ezra Hann, a
shopkeeper, residing at No. 4, was exceptionally un-
fortunate. Not only was the plate-glass window of
his shop broken, but his stock was considerably
dairaeed by the missiles which were thrown among
it. Mr. Hann's son, too, narrowly escaped per-
form' injury from a granite stone which was taken
from a heap used for the repair of the tramway
track, and thrown through the window close by his
head. One of these missiles, which was picked
up afterwards was found to weigh 21b. The
men then marched to Aldersgate-street, where they
were confronted by a body of City police, and brought
under control, the only premises in Aldersgate-street
at all damaged being those of Messrs. Goodall,
stationers, and two or three other shops. The roughs
proceeded as far as Newgate-street, and here their
further progress was effectually checked, the con-
stables working their way skilfully among the dis-
orderly rabble, and dispersing them. The officers of
the City force made two arrests, one of the prisoners
being caught in the act of throwing a stone in Fann-
street. By eleven o'clock order had been completely
restored. Another contingent of roughs walked in the
direction of Pimlico after the meeting. They indulged
in a good deal of horseplay and a little stone throwing
en route, but beyond this their conduct was not
, seriously disorderly.