Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1873-11-05

Chattanooga Monday noon, said he would
not run another engine into the city for IL.
Some intimations were made to him by the
Nashville and Chattanooga engineers
which he did not like, and he did not think
IL prudent to go again.
1t was also rumored yesterday, that the
officers of the road had made out discharges
for each one of the men on strike and ac-
companied 1t with an order on the Treas
urer of the road for the pay due them to
date. In the case of the Knoxville and
Ohio road the men refused to accept the
discharges.
A rumor prevailed in the evening that a
committee of the men had called on Capt.
Jacques in the afternoon to tell him that the
engines in the round house could not be
moved. Connected with the same report
was one that Mr.. Hodge, while getting an
engine ready to run out a freight train
was told that he "better not do it as there
might be trouble.n He asked the men who
talked to him to go with him to Capt.
Jacques. Conflicting reports prevail as to
what took place during that conversation
We heard that rather belligerent talk took
place but one of the men who was present
called upon us to assure us that it was not
the fact. The facts concerning it will prob
ably be developed hereafter.
THE SITUATION LAST NIGHT.
We cannot report any material change
in the situation up to midnight. The Com
pany were unable to run any but the mail
trains yesterday. The interference with
the freight train yesterday morning was
unfortunate for the men on strike. Vt was an
interference with the business of the road
unauthorized by law. Many of the men
repudiate that act and say it was not au-
thorized. The community recognized the
right of employees to stop whenever the
wages offered do not suit them, but any re-
sort to violence to prevent Others from
working who are satisfied with them would
be unfortunate for all concerned. The law
must be upheld, and men can not defy it
to the loss of the public or the disturbance
of the peace. We do not believe that on
sober reflection, the men will endorse or
aid any such proceeding. They repudiate
any intention to encourage violence, and ii
is to be hoped for the sake of the commu-
nifty, that their good intentions will be adj
hered to.
Col. Baxter Addresses the workingmen.
By invitation, Col. Baxter addressed large
number Of the workingmen at their hall on
Broad street Mt o'clock last night He WAS in
troduced by Nick Long, Chief OF the Knoxville
Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, and for
about thirty minutes no talked to them in his
usual plain style. He alluded to the panic and
its influence on all classes of business, especial
ly the railroad business. There are now over
200, 600 lsborng men in the United States out
of employment. The receipts of tho East Ten
nessee Virginia, and Georgia Railroad had fall
en- off between torty-fve and fifty thousand dol
lars last month. The interests of the Railroad
and the engineers and machinists were identi-
cal. Neither this railroad nor the mechanics
were responsible for the financial depression.
The Railroad had reduced wages, which they
| had legal right to do. The men had refused
| to work at the reduced price. This they lad
a legal right to do. Both parties were standing
on their legal rights. The next movement
of the read was to get other mechanics 10 run
| the trains. This they also had right TO do
| Now, if they were interferred with, and the
trains were stopped by violence or force, those
who did it would place themselves in the wrong
| and the road would have redress upon them
| The yiolator of the law would then be arrested
| or at least an attempt made, which he would
| either have to submit to or resist. If one ofthe
| members Of the organization submitted, then it
| is gone up. lfthey resisted, trouble followed,
| blood might be shed and the powers of the
| Government, National, State and municipal,
were brought down upon them Besides, if
| they should kill some man, ii wOud hang like AL
| incubus upon them the remainder of the lives.
| for brave men such as they were did not wish
| to take life. Or said he, YOU may be requi ed
to keep the peace. You may give bond for that
purpose The trains are started again. You re-
sst again. Then your bond is forfeited and
not only yourself but your friends are involved.
your peace is distubed and the accumulated
earnings of years is lost. Suppose you succeed
I
ton. He had seen telegram from leading
railroad man in the South. saying he would not
give employment TO any man who was now re
fusing to work on this road. Another telegram
from New York stated that thousands Of men
were out of employment, and would come here
at once for employment if desired He had
talked to them plainly and honestly in spirit of
friendship, whether they agreed with his views
or not He closed by thanking them for the
invitation, and hoped for tho future prosperity
of every one of them, He was listened to re-
specially and. attentivey through his entire
speech,
Mayor Rule being present vas called upon,
He had no speech TO make. He said that alb
stractly his sympathies were with workingmen
at all times. He appealed TO them
TO abstain from the commission of
unlawful acts, If the municipal laws were
violated he would have TO do all in his power to
enforce them. If he did not, the workingnsn,
as we'll as all classes, would lose their respect
for him in consequence Of such failure. He saw
the faces present of those whom he counted his
best friends, and of whose friendship he was
proud, but psinful as it would be to him, If any
one violated the law, he would be compelled to
see the penalty for such violation enforced.
J. II. PIcKENs
Was next called upon, who made staten ent Of
what had been proposed by the Road a month
ago land acceded TO by the engineers. This
they thought would be end of the matter.
They were willing to run four weeks and rest
one, or three and rest one, &c, but did not wish
to submit to reduction of their per diem.
Thav Uara WILLING 10 RIM twO trina for fonr NJ