New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-11-20
THE PITTSBURG RIOTS.
FINDING OLE THE GRAND JURY.

TITS CHARGED WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR TIE
DISORDER AND vIoLENCE-THE TROOPS VINO
FIRED on THE MOB CHARACTERIZED As MUIR
DERERs-ONE HUNDRED PERSONS INDICTED.
PITTsBURG, Penn. Nov. 19.-Tbe Grand Jury
made their special prosentment 20 the Quarter SESSIONS
to-day on the subject Of the July riots IN tnls
city. After calling attention to the fact that
the matter was specially given them IN charge
they state that they were met by an unex-
pected impeachment refusal OF the State officials 70
testify. The REFUSAL" say they "of those VINO
wrought the mischief reduces the scope OF our
investigation within very narrow limits" Inc re
port then speaks OF the origin Of the trouble
here which was the discomfort brought
about among railroad men by reduction Of wages IN
which common cause was made through secret organ
zations extending through several States and over
many thousands OF miles OF railroads. The Jury theh
account Of the sherFs action, ana are OF .le
opinion that he had not exhausted his power
before calling upon the military although iAi-' eney
say, is question not called upon to decide Inc
authorship the proclamation which was issued IN
Governor Harranfts name the authority FOR ~ they
have been unable 20 trace beyond the Pennsylvania
Railroad depot The Governor certainly did not thorze
IT, he slumberng in MS special car near salt Lake
City. The document then proceeds as follows:
Before any collision occurred, the Pennsylvania Rail
road officials were mportuned not to attempt haisa
measures. On saturday the crowd mad been angmen0e
by reason OF the suspension or Work IN tne nulIIO'
mills az noon, and Sunday. another uie day ioh3"-
ing would further add o the eNcltcmenI but
q sad fatality seemed 10 attend these Councils ana orders
were given 20 clear the tracks This was accomplished
when pistol was fred from the crowd and some stones
thrown at the Philadelphia soldiers ihe testlon5
IL conclusive and overwhelming thar without orders
from the commanding officers the soldiers began to nre
at the crowd and, before tney could oe enecAS, cnc
firing resulted In the immediate death or ten cuzen
The coroners report gives twenty-five deaths on saf
day and sunday This was the qaauthorzed WiiIal ana
WantOn killing by the private soldiers, WAlch the inquest
call by milder term tnan murder
The jury lays great emphasis this chapter Of the
tragedy the beginning OF the riot. speaking OF
the Philadelphia troops IN the roundhouse, and the dis
persement OF the 1ith and 10Th Regiments
in demorazed condition, they say the whole
military operation, from first to last was
blunder, and exhibited pitiable absence
Of training and executive ability, worthy OF a
Commandcr-n-Chief, who selects MajOrGenerals for
their political or social rather than their
military qualifications. The occupation Of the
rouud-house was a fatal mistake if not q crime
and invited the mode OF attack resorted TO-
which was firing the cars 10 burn them out Tie oc-
cuDation OF the adjacent hill could have been accom-
pished before or after the fire. without loss and the hin
held against any Odds The jury speak Of the retreat of
General BruOn the round house. ana OF the flight
Of the state officials 20 Beaver They deny the
allegation that the citizens were in sympathy
with the mob and say they stopped the fire and restored
order They deplote the fact military rather than
police force brought into conflict with tue mob and
speaking Of the question Of liability reject the doctrine
that the city county snoud pay for damage inflicted
by a mob which was excited 10 violence by the unlawful
acts Of rho state military. IN he summary Of these de-
iberarions they say:
F,sf-That by cool iudement civil authority. aud
teal good sense. strike could have been controlled
Scond-rha the riots followed inevitably the conduct
Of tine military, too largely controlled by railroad Oi-
cias. and eliminating u q iTlghtul massacre.
Tbr-That there was not sufficient authority Tor the
presence of she Philadelphia troops nor Tor the lnpor
iant proclamation and orders issued IN the name oi the
Fotrh-That If the civil authorities Of the state had
present she conservative advice of the citizens
listened by the soldiers, th- calamity might have been
Fidh-That the frigntful condition OF society sun
day afternoon WAS the result OF tne meddesOne and ~
-ornt course OF the state officials civil and military, AMI
the c!tz ELS of Pttsburg Who recurring 10 e
FIRST Of and arung themselves with such
primitive gsauous as they could obtain, made street
0r-auzlion formed themselves into squads anu under
active aud energetic leadership stamped on the lawess-
ness arson and murder that was nant III some parts
of me city and threatened 10 en-ut all
This completes FeNir" or -t events we nave pte III
-truced inquire into and that 10 rs not more precise, II
u 10 the fast that the Grand Jury has been hwarted
openly and privately IN MS endeaYors Dy tAose 10 Nlo
the whole ruth should have Uc-u welcome V!hCealOn
It's suppression c0mpes tue opposite conclusion
The final incident remains ana lat L. we arrival nc I,
days after the people OF Pitburg, by Their unaided
efforts. mad suppressed the disturbance al gallant ar
ray OF citizen soIery several Thousand IN NUMBER
gathered immense expense from every part OF enc
Commonwealth headed by the Conn ahder- CnleI OF tus
Army ana Navy or fenhsl wanna D'''Ael ny ~ cDhloIfl
military genius ana civic usre Of seven n 'I-Seheras
aud host OF brSaders, waited on Dy oldE5 tA@1 Houu
far more thdn nave suihce' Tor an .y 100
and ur exceeding IN numbers the array that followed
sherman ia LIS march I'd the sea. az. pe,icy "a .'"
onu. here long after oil LANCER, ud PASSED was nicuG-
ed a a threat 10 our citizens, and mark OF CON
umeIy to tie country; Then marital i- acnieys-
rncur, under the lead OF the Governor, the
GoTlmauder-in-Che have only their parallel IN
mat tren end0us military feat Of the French
KING who marched his up the NIL. ard tacn he
..fclci IL down again" That display 81 harmless
hcroi,m closed out fhc Psburs riots Not only were
fh4 riots mere suppressed more promptly 10y tie
ifnaidsd power Of the citizens than M any other
CIV OF the country but IN seeking out
ard furnishing thc guilty, there has been
eyl rqordnary energy displayed by tine officers % tie
law the courts aud the jures. THIS Grand Jury has
returned Indictment, against nearly one hunttct per
sou. accused # participation m ths riots, and there =
every disposition that tley shall nave prompt impair
rial and fearless trials.