The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1887-12-10 00:00:00

THE LONDON DISTURBANCES:
SUNDAY'S MEETINGS.

Meetings organised by the Social Democratic Fede-
ration, ostensibly in the interest of the unemployed,
were held on Sunday in Regent's-park, Victoria-park,
Battersea-park, and on Peckham-rye. As demon-
strations they were insignificant, and in no case was
it necessary for the police to interfere. Trafalgar-,
square was quiet during the afternoon. It had been
secretly arranged by the Socialists to take possession of
the square in the evening and hold a meeting, but on this
coming to the knowledge of the authorities, a strong
force of police was posted in the square, and ao at-
tempt was made to hold the meeting.
AN ANARCHIST CHAINED TO IRON
PALINGS.
• On Sunday afternoon, shortly after two o'clock,
a most singular scene took place in front of St.
Martin's Vestry-hall, which is in close proximity to
Trafalgar-square. An apparently respectable man
of about 30 years of age was seen carrying several
yards of iron ehains, and proceeding to the front
of the Vestry-hall, which is protected by some
strong iron palings. The man was named Harding,
and he adopted a most extraordinary modiS of show-
ing his views as "a peaceful Anarchist." He was
accompanied by a friend, who set to work in a very
business-like way, and chained him to the iron
palings. The chain was passed over his shoulders
down his middle, through his legs, and finally the
ends were twisted round his wrists and locked. These
singular proceedings for a time only attracted the
attention of a few passers-by; but a number of the
E division police came up and asked the meaning of
what was going on. "Surely you are out of your
mind, said Sergeant 11 E. "Oh, no, I'm not," said
Harding, "I cam& here from a sense of duty, to pro-
test against the way the rights of Englishmen are
being taken away. I have done this to illus•
trate how Englishmen are being chained. My
object is to give you some idea of the prin-
ciples of peaceful anarchism." The police-
sergeant told Harding that he was obstructing the
roadway, and he would have to remove him.
"That you may do," replied Harding, "if you
can." The crowd were intensely amused at
the difficult position in which the police
found themselves, for on their endeavouring
to remove the chains they found they were most firmly
fastened, and Harding took advantage of the oppor-
tunity to expound his views. The sergeant shook the
chains, and this brought from Harding the observa-
tion, Your object is to hurt me ; " and this caused a
few in the crowd to shout, "Don't hurt him." Harding,
seeing he had some few sympathisers in the crowd,
said he particularly asked the attention of those pre-
sent to what was going on. The police continued
their efforts to try and sever Harding's chains, and
after a short time they forced one part of the chain
over the top of the pilings, whereupon Harding said
he would undo the other part, and the key was
searched for with which to open the lock. Harding
said be would address the crowd while the police were
releasing him. He said the Government was tyranny;
popular government was no less a tyranny than any
other. The police told him he must desist from
speaking, and Harding said that if the lady who re-
resided at the house to which the palings were
attached told him to go away he would do so. The
lock was at last opened, and the chains were removed
from Harding, who exclaimed, "Mind, I don't give
in. Understand that I am ready to die for free speech
with a smile on my face." He was then taken into
custody by Sergeant E 11, and Police-constable E
342, and removed to Bow-street Police-station.
Another officer followed carrying the chains. Hard-
ing's friend also went to the station, stating that it
was his intention to offer bail for him.

DEATH OF AN INJURED MAN.
An inquest was held on Monday as to the death of
Alfred Linnell, a law writer, who died at Charing-
cross Hospital owing to injuries sustained in and
about Trafalgar-square on Sunday, the 20th ult. He
was knocked down and broke his thigh, the injury
leading to his death. He stated several times when
in the' hnspital that- IA) 'Was kuocked down "by IhCe.
mounted police, and the evidence mainly dealt with
his statements to this effect. The inquest was ad-
journed.

_7O3II‘SERCIAL Scnocansuip.—Ttir. William Reithbone,
M.P., has founded a commercial scholarship of £4O a
year at University College, Liverpool (one of the
collegemof the Victoria University), for the beneHt of
youths destined for mercantile Duality.