Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-07-04
From, the Baltimore american.

Various and very exaggerated reports have
been in circulation during the last two days, ir
relation to the disorderly conduct of the work
men employed on the Third Division Of the Bal
timore and Ohio Rail Road, in consequence Of
one of the contractors failing to pay them their
wages. The particulars of this affair, as far a:
they had transpired up to Thursday night are
detailed in the Gazette Of yesterday afternoon:
g The misconduct Of one of the Contractors ia
lay rails on the Third Division of the Baltimore
and Ohio Rail Road, in emitting to apply the
funds he had received from the Company to pay
the workmen hired by him, the wages due for
their labor, had excited among portion of them
much discomfort, which, having come to the
knowledge ofthe Directors, an Agent was deput.
ed to inquire into the circumstances. who, during
last week, had several interviews with the dis
| contented workmen, which resulted in an ar
rangement that appeared to be generally satisfac-
tory to them. Under that arrangement, the agent,
on the part Of the Company, and with the consent
of:the Contractor, had agreed to apportion among
the workmen the whole balance of money which
the contractor would be entitled to receive for
the work done.
| I" On "Wednesday last, the Agent having pro-
ceeded to the appointed place, met the workmen,
prepared to comply with the arrangement agreed
on; but a portion of the workmen then declared
themselves dissatisfied, because the amount pro-
posed to be paid was much less than what was
due to them from the Contractor, and threatened
to destroy the rails & other works Of the Compa-
ny unless the whole demand was paid. With this
demand the Agent informed them he was neither
prepared nor authorized to comply. Some Of
the workmen evinced disposition to accept Of
the payment pursuant to the terms agreed on
but this was prevented by the disaffected, who.
in proof of their determination to put their threats
in execution, commenced the work of destruc-
ton in the presence Of the Agent. He immedi-
ately returned to this city, and communicated
the information to the Directors.
{" On application to Judge Hanson, warrant
was issued to the Sheriff of Baltimore County,
requiring him to arrest the persons engaged in
the riotous proceeding, and the Sheriff proceeded
the same nightto the house Of gentleman in the
neishborhood of the rioters, intending to summon
a sufficient number Of the nearest inhabitants to
enable him to execute the warrant.
yesterday Thursday information was re-
ceived from the Sheriff, that sufficient force could
not be obtained IN the immediate neighborhood
to sustain the civil authority, and enable him to
arrest the rioters, who had chosen leader and
declared their determination to proceed in injur-
ing the road. and destroyin ing the property of the
Company. A requisition was then made of the !
Officers Of the Militia of the City, by whom
force was promptly furnished, which we have no
doubt has proved adequate to effect the object |
They departed from the city on Thursday night
after nine O'Clock, on this unpleasant expedition
The detachment marched to the Pratt street
Depot about nine o'clock on Thursday night, in |
] soaking rain, and, when they left the paved
streets, through mud frequently more than adkiei
deep. A number of deputy sheriHs and baitiffs
them. They were conveyed on the
Rail Road to Ellicott's Mills, and after a short |
detention, the carriages proceeded on the Second
Division until within about two miles of its ter