The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-10
THE ERIE RAILROAD WAR.

I.r.. Army or Recruits sent to Take Their
Places, and Where They Come From and
What They Have TO Say-Falistafi,s Re-
cruits Of GadshiH misunderstanding Of the
BrnISeu,en-Whut They Say and Mean to
Do-Action of the Citizens.
PORT JERvis, N. Y. Nov. o. 1863
The Peloponesan campaigns were numerous and |
the old Pune wars had their epochal periods. It'll
so with the Erie Railroad wars. Between fighting |
for the management and spois md Contests over |
stocks In Wall street and In the courts, and frequent
strikes among the employees the presep management
do not seem to ENJOY very proU acted periods OF
peace. The latest proclamation of war, as is well
Known is by the brakemen on TIE Eastern division,
between this place and jersey City. Though lack
NM the pomp ana clrcumstay OF glorious war. the
music Of Hfc and drum ,he brslling of hayonets
ana the marshauing Of ana muskets IN CORY
strife, this latest outht of hostites OF which this
ambitiously busy ana thriving town, nestled among
an env.ropIng Gordon of rugged mountainous hills,
Is rae OF war, nave already assumed the shape
amt complexion OF an exciting campaign. On
ls IT Sunday the battle opened. Shoulder to
Snoulder In unbroken line stand the old
brasemen. Conles,ing forces, the newly hired
braKemen, being rapidly sent to the 'front.' FISK
and Goulds body guard or the posse of some fifty
sherilIs sent from New York and about the same
number of special constables sworn in here, are still
on hand armed with reviewers, to guard in their
visits to the OF combat the generals of the Erie
road and 10 protect the property OF the company,
and to prevent any acts OF violence. There have
been. however, tearing up rails, or firing railroad
buildings interfering yeth the new brakemen;
but one Knows although the old braSemen have
behaved themselves IN the most orderly and
quiet manner thus far, what day or
an hour may bring forth. 1t is evident
that the brakemen VIII not yield from the
stand they have taken. Fisk and Gould say they
will not yield. Both mean to fight 1t out on this line
If 1t takes all winter. The contest now at its cul-
minating point The railroad company hold the
sinews of war and are undoubtedly masters OF the
situation. The brakemen are spirited and plucky,
but they are fighting forlorn hope.
MEETING LAST EVENING.
The large hall on the upper floor OF the brick
building, nearly opposite the railroad depot. was
again filed last evening with the striking brake
men. Stepping OH the train bringing US here
at nine O'Clock in the evening, and which, by the
RON New York. the sound OF their Voices united IN
cheers drowned the noise OF moving trains. and
wdar n es aaa oes ana even tne
Some $50 were In the room, mostly young OF in
telligent faces and as the progress Of the meeting
CARRYING on the war they have begun.
Mr.. Horaln, the President, was speaking. He
strikes 1t was bad faith, he SAID, the part OF the
Pa that naa 6reqht about s the pre-
an advance from fourteen shlllings to Two dollars q
day for wages. the railroad company. yielded to
their demands 1t was distinctly agreed upon that
no one should be discharged for having participated
In this strike. This promise me company did not
charged Others, making 1t point to select those
who had been prominent in the strike. Aud
this was not all. The newly hired DraAemen
were hired at the old wages, and when those who
arrived came to be paid they were given only the
Old rates OF pay. As protest against this breach
OF faith they had again struck. In their places
were being brought here the ofscourlngs Of New
pf oil ny mq1 In foat
barroom bumners. He told how MR. Rucker the
superintendent OF the road, tried that afternoon
coed. He urged that they stick together and do
violence, and he felt confident of success The sym
pathy OF the entire community was their side. |
They only asked that the company keep its agree
ment win them. Three more days he believed, |
would settle the matter IN their favor. This speech |
was interrupted with frequent applause.
Mr. CLARK, the next speaker led OF with
than the rebel prisoners their way to Fort
Delaware They were the toughest looking set OF
brakes the top>of train going to Jersey CITY.
Not one in ten would ever be seen again after get
MIR. TiBBETs, the next speaker said he had been |
railroad man for twenty years, and though now out
an anxiety for their success. lie went into
the railroad oiice and told them he could
'Give them the wages agreed upon and let each
conductor choose his own brakemen.'' The response
nrst.n He did not wish the railroad to sink; neither
did they. He only hoped that the railroad man.
present course. His advice was that they stick up
TO the rack, fodder or no fodder. Among the gang
OF new brakemen brought from New YORK he
picked out six whom he knew to be professional !
pickpockets and thieves. lie advised them to con- |
tnue on the fight, but to fight square and manfully
The PRESIDENT announced that the sympathy OF |
ali the employees OF the New Jersey Central and |
Morris and Essex railroads were on their sid, and |
when the facts came to be generally known he be- |
neved an the railroad employees OF the country would
Mr.. RAHILLY stated that Mr. Rucker had threat
ened him with arrest because he was seen on the |
other speeches followed in the vein OF those already
given, and the meeting at late hour adjourned till
nine O'Clock . TINS morning M s.w n,.vrurs
BY various trains arriving during the night
hs sy a ca@e not Sn o to
but from points as far north as Buffalo,
A marked difference could be seen between
from the opposite end OF the line. on arrival here
they were put into large room IN the railroad depot
ana there locked up. by morning compact was
the crowd that they filled the limited room about
closely as ever cattle are crowded into freight
Take them altogether they were about as sorry
specimens OF humanity as Falstaffs recruits at |
Gadshlll. They were exceedingly noisy, too. AS
daylight came they began to clamor for something
to eat The clamor increased with the advancing |
hours AT length, like SO many wild beasts, they |
were taken out and marched to The different hotels |
Of the village and given their breakfast.
BRAKENEN PUT DUTY.
Not all the newly arrived brakemen were allowed |
good breakfast al hotel. During the night forty
two Of them were put on duty cars. Quite |
number OF them on being put to the test at once
backed down and natiy refused to enter upon the
positions offered them. large number were
thrown out unfit for service and given passes this
morning back to their homes. More were put on
duty to-day twas decidedly amusing to see the
new recruits enter upon their duties They showed
good deal OF fright which not essened by the
throngs OF Old brakemen looking at them. Parties
coming In on up trains described them seated on
the roofs OF the cars holding fast the footboards
with their might and main. person who saw o
train gong down the grade Otisville SAYS the
train was going at a rapid rate, the engineer
wnlstling down brakes in vain, and each new brake
man holding on FOR dear life, the picture or fright
and despair.
MEETING THIS MORNING.
Pursuant TO adjournment the braSeman reassem.
bed at the previous place OF meetings at nine O'Clock
this morning. the hal, as before being well filed
MI BURTON presided. He said the origin OF this
whole difficulty not altogether the fault OF Fisk
ana Could Mr.. Rucker, the general snperIntend-