New-York tribune., 1875-09-28
THE FALL RIVER STRIKE.
A RIOTOUS DEMONSTRATION BY TEN THOU
SAND OPERATIVES.

SAND OPERATIVES.
THE MILITARY UNDER ARMS.
| A DOZEN MILLS RESUME wORK-INTIMIDATION BY
oPERAnvKs-A MASS MEETING AT THE PARK,
AND DEMAND UPON THE MAYOR TO BE
FURNISHED WITH FOOD-HE REFUsEs-NEARLY
RIOT IN CONSEQUENCE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUNE.l
FALL RIVER, Mass, Sept 27.-The excitement
prevalent in this city Of spindles reached it's cul-
minating point to-day. The mills in the eastern
part of the ety started their machinery this morn
ng with few exceptions, and anticipated that tho
| help would sign the alleged obnoxious agreement
| and 60 to work. Small crowds surrounded the mills,
| the sentiment among them evidently being deter
mined opposition to the signing of any paper Prob
ably about 300 persons were in the vicinity OF the
Barnard, Wampanaug, and Linen Mills. At the
latter many of the operatives signed the agreement
This is of the largest mills in the place. At the
Metacomet Mill 20 signed the bond; at the Anawan
Mill about 20 signed, and 75 in the
White Mill. At the Robson Mill there
were not enough present TO start This was also the
case with the Pocasset Mills and Quequechan. The
Mechanics, Sycamore, Crescent. Wcetamoc, Nara
gansett, and the two Border City Mills started up as
usual enough help for the purpose having presented
themselves at each and signed the agreement. As
those who had decided to go to work entered the
yards they were hOoted and hssed by those who
stood outside, and who were bent OH starvation
rather than "sgn away their liberty" The Staf-
ford, Granite, Merchants, Chase, Tccumseh, Davol
and Robson Mills are also running, but with hardly
sufficient help to keep the several departments NOV
ing.
TIE MASS NETTING At THE PARK.
About z o'clock riotOus demonstration began
1t broke out in the south part of the city, The mob
began by breaking in the windows OF the MOntauk
MILL which has nothing to do with the quarrel being
q bag mill and having stopped OF its own accord
some time ago. Rioters also broke some glass IN the
Osborn Mill. Otherwise no damage of a serious ma
ture was reported. In the mean time mass meet
inC had been held in the Park The rioters fell into
line along Pleasant-st.. headed by huge banner
with the inscription Fifteen thousand white slaves
TO be sold at auction" The procession marched
along to Bedford-st passing by the Merchants MILL
As they went through Manst., which is the princi-
pal thorouglfare in the city, their ranks swclled in
numbers and banners with different inscriptions
we're added. Arriving Mt the Park some 10000
strong the platform taken possession OF by the
several speakers II. B. Coffin being chosen chair
man.
Mr.. Coffin upheld the right of the operatives in
their determination not to sell themselves, and said
that many of them who had fought to redeem the
slaves, now found that the shackles in being re.
moved from the black slaves, had been placed upon
the white ones. He cautioned them to act dclber-
ately and calmly in any policy they might adopt.
delegation was then appointed to wait on Mayor
Davenport at the City Hall, and report back what
he could do in furnishing bread for them, and in the
event that he could do nothing to appeal to Gov.
CASTOR by telegram. A Committee of eight were
appointed Mr. Scavey, editor of The LABOR journal,
arose and said that in waiting on the Mayor the help
and n.tf
ers the responsibility of the present deplorabe con-
dition of affairs lie felt that if the operatives sold
their liberty here, all the help in New-England
would be treated likewise.
In a short time the Committee returned and re-
ported that the Mayor could not afford them any
and beyond that provided by law. On this assurance
the Committee stated that they would not he re-
sponsible for the safety of the city in the future
RIoToUs MARCH TO THE CITY HALL.
After this announcement several addresses were
delivered and the meeting decided to march in
body to the City Hall. They at once formed in
line led by band of youngsters, each bearing
stick with loaf Of bread, which had been secured
from bake-cart at the end and crying ont at the
top ,of their voices, "Bread," Bread" AS they
reached the City Hall posse of police took up their
position on the sidewalk facing the tumultuous
crowd and quickly forced them back into the street.
Hundreds of females in the crowd were shouting at
the top of their voices, all manner OF incendIary re-
marks at the mill owners. After much difficulty
the police succeeded in driving the snrging
mass of humanity back to the east side of
the street. At this point several arrests
were made. the prisoners being detected IN throwing
stones, brckbats, and other missiles at the police.
The latter, although exasperated beyond endurance,
refused to use then revolvers, but piled their biies
in an industrious manner instead. They deserve
credit for the fearcssness displayed in the discharge
of their duties Some of the crowd went so far as to
climb into the new Borden block and throw brick
bats out among the crowd, one of these missiles
striking an operative the head and knocking him
senseess
TIE MILITIA CALLED OUT
The Mayor was about to read the Riot act to the
mob at this stage hut the police were successful in
dispensing the crowd. The Mayor ordered out the
local militia however, and Immediately telegraphed
for COMPANIES and G of the State militia from
Taunton. As the latter arrived in the depot, they
were received with groans hootng. and Kissing but
the soldiers showed excellent temper and refused to
take any notice of the crowd. The ringleaders of
the mob are naturally indignant, because HE Mayor
took this precautionary STEP and they may be heard
on all the leading streets, tonight, severely de-
nouncing his conduct The law-abiding citizens,
however, feel that his action was wise one, and
that il will he the of intimidatng the work
ing people from committing serious depredaions
WHY THE MAYOR COULD DO NOTHING FOR 1HE OP-
FRATIvEs.
The Mayor tonight was found closeted with the
City Marshal at the Police Station. He stated that
he was willing to assist all who need assistance as
far as the law would allow him, and no further. He
had advised the committee who had waited upon
him to tell the strikers to go to work. and oil would
be WELL 1t was quarrel between the employed and
,xLiel. ha bod hIsin