The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-20
Report OF the Grand Jury ON the
July Riots mt Pittsburgh.

PTEBuRGH, Nov. l9.-The Grand Jury
made their special presentment to the
quarter sessions to-day on the subject Of
the July riots in this city. After calling
attention to the fact that the matter wSs
specially given them in charge, they state
that they were met by an unexpected
impedient in the refusal Of the State off.
cials to testify. The refusal, they say, Of
those who wrought the mischief reduces
the scope OF our investigation within
very narrow limits. The report then
speaks Of the origin OF the trouble here,
which was the discomfort brought about
among the railroad men by reduction
oil wages, in which common cause was
made through Secret organizations ex.
tending through several States and over
many thousands OF miles Of railroad.
The jury then gave an account Of the
Sheriifs action, and are Of the opinion
that he had not exhausted his power be-
fore calling on the military, although
this, they say, Is question that we are
not called on to decide. The authorship
Of the proclamation, which was Issued in
Governor Hartranfts name or authority
for it, they have been unable to trace be.
yond the Pennsylvania railroad depot,
The Governor certainly did not author
lie it, as he was slumbering in his special
car near Salt Lake City. .sSThe document
then proceeds as follows:
Before any collision occurred the Penn.
sylvania Railroad officials were impor-
tuned not to attempt harsh measures. On
Saturday the crowd had been augmented
by reason Of the suspension of work in The
numerous mills at noon, and on Sunday
another idle following would further add
10 the excitement. But q sad fatality
seemed to attend these counsels, and or
ders were given 10 clear the tracks. This
was accomplished, when pistol was fired
from the crowd and some stones thrown at
the Philadelphia soldiers.
The testimony il conclusive and over
Whelmipg that without orders from the
commanders the soldiers commenced TO
fire at the crowd, and before they could
be checked the firing resulted in the i'm.
mediate death Of ten citizens. The Coro.
ner's report gives % deaths on Saturday
and Sunday. This was an unauthorized,
wilfuI and wanton killing by the private
soldiers, which this inquest can cali BY NO
milder term than murder. The jury lays
great stress on this chapter OF the trage-
dy, as It was the beginning Of the riot.
Speaking OF the Philadelphia troops
in the Round House, and the disperse.
ment Of the 14th and 10Th regiments In
demorali2ed state, they say:
"The whole military operation from
frat 10 last was 4 blunder, and exhibited
4 pitiable absence OF training and execu.
tive ability worthy Of commander in
chief who selects major generals for their
political and social rather than their
military qualifications. The occupation
Of the Round House was fatal mistake.
II NOT crime, and invited the mode OF
attack resorted to, which was firing the
cars to burn them out. The occupation
Of the adjacent hill could have been ac-
complished before or after the FIRE with.
out loss, aud the hill held against any
Odds"
The Jury speak of the retreat Of Gen.
Brinton from the Round House and OF
the flight Of the State officials 70 Beaver
They deny the allegations that the citi.
zens we're in sympathy with the mob: and.
alluding to the citizens organization, say
they they stopped the fire and restored
order. They deplore the fact that q mil
itary, rather than a police force, were
brought in conflict with the mob, and
speaking Of the question Of liability, re-
ject the doctrine that the city or county
should pay for damage inflicted by a mob
who were excited 70 violence BY the un.
lawful acts ot the State military.
In summary Of their deliberations they
i. That by cool judgment, civil author.
ity and practical good sense, the strike
could have been controlled and blood.
shed ayerted.
9. That the riots followed inevitable.
the conduct OF the military was TOO
largely controlled by railroad officials,
and eliminating In q frightiul massacre.
8. That there was not enough author
fty for the nfeaefica al tha phiiadslrkf.