The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-11-20
PITTSBURGH RIOTS.
REPORT OF THE GRAND JURY.
The Riots the Result OF MeddlesOme
and InsOIent State Officials.
Civil and MiIitary-The
Pittsburgh Citizens
xonerated.

! y
in charge, they state that they were met
by sn unexpected impeachment in the re-
fusa OF the State officials to testify. The
refusal, they say, OF those who wrought
the mischief, reduces the scope OF our
| Investigations within very narrow linn
! its. The report then speaks of the origin
of the trouble, of the retreat OF General
| Brinton from the round house and OF the
! flight of the State officials to Beaver.
They deny the allegations that the cit-
zens were IN sympathy with the mob,
and alludiDg to the citizens organization,
say they stopped the fire and restored
order. They deplore the tact that a
military rather than police force were
brought in conflict with the mob, and
speaking of the question of liability reject
the doctrine that the city or county
should pay for the damage inflicted By
mob who were excited to violence by the
unlawful acts of the State military. In
the summary of their deliberations they
say:
l. That by cool judgment, civil author.
ity and practical good sense the strike
could have been controlled and bloodshed
averted.
2. That the riots followed inevitably
the conduc: of the military, too largely
controlled by railroad officials, and cul-
minsting in trigbtiul massacre.
8. That there was not enough authority
for the presence OF the Philadelphia
troops, nor Tor the important proclama-
ton and orders issued in the name or the
Governor.
4. That if the civil authorities of the
| State had been present OF the conserva-
tive advice OF the citizens listened TO by
the soldiery, the calsmity might have
been arrested.
B. That the frightful condition of So
ciety on Sunday afternoon was the re-
suit of the meddlesome and insolent
course OF the State officials, civil and
military, and that it was the citizens Of
| Pitts burgh, who, recurring 10 the first
principles of society, and srming them
selves with such primitive weapons rs
clubs and disabled muskets--sll the fy-
ing and scattered soldiers had left them
made themselves into street organization,
formed themselves IN squads, and under
active and energetic leadership, stamped
out the lswlessness, arson and murder
that were rampant in some parts OF the
city and threatened to engult all. This
completes a review of the events we have
been instructed to inquire into, and that
it is no: more precise is due TO the
tact that the grand jury has been
thwarted openly and privately in its
endesvors by those TO whom the whole
truth should have been welcome vim
dicstion. It's suppression compels the
opposite conclusion. The final incident
remains, and that is the arrival here days
after the people OF Pittsburgh by their
unaided efforts had suppressed the dis
turbances, of gallant array of citizen
sodiery, several thousand in number,
gathered at immense expense from
every part OF the State, headed by the
commsnder-in chief of the army of Penn
sylvanis, backed by the com bined mill
tsry genius and civic lustre et seven
msior-generals, host of brigadiers,
and waited on by their staff,
that would far more than have suthCcS
for an army corps and far exceeding in
numbers the array that followed
Sherman in his march TO the sea The
presence of these troops here long after
all danger had passed WAS intended rs a
threat TO our citizens aRd a mark OF con.
tumely to the country. Their martial
achievements under lead of the Governor,
the commander in chief, have only their
parallel in that tremendous mill
tsry feat of the French king, VINO
marched his army up the hill and
then marched it down again. Thst
display of harmless bero.sm closed
out the Pittsburgh llo's. Not Only were
the riots here Suppressed more promptly
by the unsided power of the citizens
than in any other city of the country,
but in seeking out and Furnishing the
guilty there has been extraordinary
energy displayed by the officers OF the
law, the courts and the juries. This
grand jury has returned indictments
against nearly 100 people accused OF
participation in the riots and there is
every disposition that they shall have
prompt impartial and fearless trials.
The jury then give an account of the
| Sherlh's action, and are of the opinion
that ne had not exhausted his power be-
fore calling on the military, although
this they say, lis question we are
not called on 10 decide. The authorship
of the proclamation which was issued in
Governor Hsrtrsnft's name or authority,
We have been unable TO trace be.
yond the Pennsylvania railroad depot.
! The Governor certainly did not author
! ize il, as he WAS slumberlng in his
special car near Salt Lake City"
The document then proceeds rs
follows: "Betore any collision &C.
Cured the Pennsylvania railroad
| officials were m2Ortuned not to
attempt harsh measures. On Saturday
the crowd had been augmented by res-
son of the suspension of work in the nu-
merous mIlis st nco1, and on Sundsy
another idle following would further add
/ 10 the excitement But sad fatality
seemed 10 attend these counseis, and or
! ders were given TO clear tue tracks. THIS
was accomplished, when pistol was fred
from the crowd and some stones thrown
at the Philadelphia soldiers. The testi-
mony is conclusive 81 overwhelming
that without orders from their CON-
msnders the soldiers commenced TO fire
ST the crowd, and before they could De
checked. The firing resulted il the i'm
mediate death of ten citizens. The cor
oner's report gives - destls on Sslur-
day and Sunday. This was unsuthor-
lied, wilful snd wsnton killing by the
private soldiers which tlis in-
quest can csll by 10 milder term
than murder. The jury lays Erest
emphasis on this cnapter Of the tragedy,
as II wss the beginning OF the riot
II speaking Of the Philadelphls troops
in the round house, and the disperse-
ment OF the Fourteenth snd Nineteenth
regiments in 8 demeralized state, they
says:
The whole military operation from
first to last was blunder, and exhibited
pi!lsble absence Of training and execu-
tive ability worthy OF 8 commander In
chief, who selects Major Generals for