Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-11-21
Statestllar,
FOOD RIOTS IN ENGLAND.

FOOD RIO rs In ENGLAND.
Great Disorders in Exeter-The Mill
| tary Called Out.
Exeter. (Nov. ~ Telegram London Daily News
J Serious riots took place in this city
and suburbs this evening in connection
with the present dearness of provisions
The riots began with the breaking of the
windows of some bakers shops and
threatening assemblages before the shops
of some butchers. Between ten and
twelve o'clock the rioters became very
daring. and nearly every baker and sew
eral butchers were visited and their
shops broken into. The shop fronts
were destroyed, and the houses were
gutted. Much damage was done, and
in some cases the tills were robbed. The
rioters were principally lads. The mill
tia. We're called out, and telegram was
sent to Plymouth for assistance, where
upon 200 soldiers of the Twentieth reg
iment were forwarded by special train
by the military authorities of that town.
The corn dealers premises at Exmin-
ster were burned down tonight, it is
feared by incendiaries. The city au-
thorities were at first paralysed, but sew
eral arrests have since been effected, and
attempts have been made to clear the
streets. .HA s.' lczaiii - 7cizs. s4i
The Mayor addressed the mob in High
street, advising them to go home, and
telling them that riots could do no good.
Special constables have been sworn in.
[From the London Telegraph. Nov. 81
Complete reports have been received
ofsthe riots which occurred at Exeter
on Monday evening, and they show that
the disturbance of the public peace did
not originate in any prearranged at
tempt to break open the provision shops
and steal their contents, or in any fool
ish design to frighten the dealers into
reducing their prices. For very long
time the "roughs" of Exeter have been
in the habit of celebrating Guy Fawkes'
day by making great bonfire in the
Cath dral-close, and excepting up" the
day by7repeatiug all that was worst and
most characteristic of such exhibitions
in former times. The police were not
able to interfere with them, as, under the
Improvement act" the close was left
to the entire control of the dean and
chapter. During the past year, howev-
ever, the Local Government act has been
adopted, and the municipal authorities
have now just as much power in the
Cathedral yard as they have in other
parts of their ancient city. 1t was de-
termined that the usual disorderly prac-
tice should be stopped, and one day last
week the Mayor, in view of the then
approaching bonfire day, issued notice
to the citizens. He formally, prohibited
the usual demonstration, and intimated
that all persons who should, after such
notice. take any part in any attempt to
hold it would be liable to penalty of
95. The rougher lads of Exeter were
annoyed at this proclamation, and made
known that they intended to defy the
Mayors authority and hold their usual
1t is said that the police,
remembering how lamentably they fail
ed to put the affair down some years
ago, resolved not to interfere with the
preparing for or with the actual holding
Of the fire. but would satisfy themselves
with so watching what occurred as to
enable them to identify the most active
promoters of it. On Friday it was
known that food riot had taken place
at Teignmouth, in South Devon, and on
Saturday rumor was spread through
Exeter that the roughs had determined
to take advantage of the usual. 5th of
November excitement to originate SIM
liar disturbance there On Monday this
rumor was strengthened, and the Mayor
aud magistrates had meeting to con-
slider what steps should be taken. 1t
was decided to ask the militia and
the yeomanry to hold themselves in
readiness for aoany service which
they might be required to perform, and
a communication was sent to the COM
mander of the Western district, at Ply
mouth, asking. him to place a troop of
the regular force at the disposal of the
magistrates, if such additional power
were needed. Notwithstanding these
preparations, and the knowledge that
such precautions had been taken-or
partly, perhaps, because of them-the
roughs of the city began to assemble in
the principal streets very early Monday
evening. No'actual breach of the peace,
however, occurred until about eight
O'Clock, when party of lads threw
some stones at bakers window. This
became the signal for outbreak. In a
very short time an immense crowd as
sembled in front of the shop. The baker
endeavored to prevent further damage
than the breaking of his windows by
putting up the shutters, but these were
torn down again, all the windows were
mashed, and loud demands were raised
that the price of bread should be re-
duced. A strong body of police were
dispatched to the place, but it was found
impossible to do more than to separate
the mob. One of the most active riot
ers was taken into custody, but his con-
federates rushed upon the constables and
rescued him, and in doing so used the
officers rather roughly. The mob then
broke into two sections, one moving to-
wards the shops of two of the principal
bakers, and breaking the windows there.
All the time they continued yelling
about the price of bread, and uttering
threats of attacking all the provision
shops in the city. All the bakers became
alarmed and closed their shops, and the
mobs, now uniting, now separating, wan
dered about the streets in great excite
ment, but evidently without any definite
object. About nine o'clock fire broke
out in the curn stores of Mr.. Trood, of
EYminster IT is not at present known