The Portland daily press., 1877-07-28
AT ST. LOUIS.
A Proclamation by the Mayor-AmpI
Force to Preserve the Peace.

A Proclamation by the Mayor-AmpIe
Force to Preserve the Peace.
ST. LOUIS, Mo-, July 27.-Mayor Overstole
issued proclamation calling on all business
and laboring men, except those enrolled in his
forces for the protection OF the city, to resume
congregatlng on the streets. He says he now
has ample force to sustain law and suppress
mobs.
Workingmen's Meeting Broken Up,
The committees which met at Schuler's hall
this morning called meeting of delegates of
all trade unions for D. m. Information was
conveyed to the military headquarters and it
was decided to break up the meeting, which
was accordingly done. About 20 men whom
they found in the hall were arrested and locked
up.
The Demands of the Workingmen.
The executive committee of the United
Workingmen have asked the Governor to con-
vene the Legislature to pass the eight hour law
and say that such law with living wages paid
to railroad men will at once insure peace and
prosperity. They also urge the mayor to call
a convention of merchants to meet them to
provide food for the distressed and starving
families of the w0rkingmen now on a strike.
demands are acceded to. They assure the
mayor of their assistance in protecting and
maintaining order, but no offers of work can he
considered till the principles they are contend
ing for in this national strike are carried.
The Union Depot Cleared and the Leader
of the Riot Arrested,
The general outlook this morning was more
encouraging. Large shipments of arms arrived
during the night and morning, and the author
tiles have commenced equipping militia COM
panies organized by citizens. Up to last night
there were less than 1000 guns in possession of
the militia throughout the entire city, and now
1000 men are armed. At II o'clock Gen. Jno.
W. Noble with battalion of 400 men pro-
ceeded to the Union depot. Gen. Noble
established his headquarters in the depot
building. A large crowd had virtual possession
of the depot since Tuesday. The crowd was
charged with fixed bayonets and driven out of
the depot and yards. The movements of the
militia were greeted with cheers and yells. A
man who seemed to be the leader of the mob
was arrested. The authorities announced that
the depot would be held and interference with
the trains will not be permitted. 1t was de-
cided that as soon as arms are fully distributed
will be furnished for all shops and factories.
the proprietors of which are willing and want
to resume work.
The guards at the water works and gas works
have been increased. ALI is quiet among the
strikers. Many large business houses remain
closed, but open tomorrow. The streets are
less crowded, and it is the general impression
that the worst is over.
The Missouri Pacific road was running freight
trains both ways this morning and announce
the road open. The ST. Louis, Kansas City
and Northern road have not yet decided
whether it will follow suit.
The men captured at Schuler's hall claim to
De employees of Belchers sugar refinery and say
tney were at the hall to ask permission of the
executive committee to resume work. 1t is
reported committee meetings were held to-day,
at Wnieh two companies, each 100 strong Of
gained, ostensibly to protect property, but
evidently for very different PURPOSE. It is
tolerably, well known that there have been
organized eight companies of men, which it is
believed are to be armed. 1t has been an
nounced in public speeches that these men
have large quantities of arms, and that thew
will use them when the proper time comes
This statement may be true to the extent that
many members of the organization own pistols
or hunting guns, but there is no evidence that
as an organization they possess any weapons
which could be made effective against the
ro0ps.