The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1878-07-12
THE ORANGEMEN.
Great Excitement in Montreal.
Fears of a Disastrous Riot To-
day.
Troops to be Stationed Throughout the
City.

MONTREAL, July II The mayor has Just
given an utlmatum to the effect that he will
carry out his proclamation and prevent the
procession taking place. For this purpose he
IS about to swear IN 900 special constables. He
has just marched large body of police to the
Orange hall on ST. James street where they are
placed in front of the building with force of
detectives inside searching for arms. vast
crowd is collected, observing the situation
The Irish Catholics have just assembled in
Union Hall to consider what action they will
take. The attendance there was immense and
the greatest exciteme mt prevails. Three of the
magistrates who signed the requision to call
out the military, have had an interview with
Gen. Smythe to learn his views as to the course
he will adopt in prospect of a conflict of action
between the mayor and the magistrates. He
SAID his hrst desire was to preserve the peace.
Ha would take his orders, however, from the
magistrates Matters are now in a more com.
pllcated condition than ever, aud no one can
streets are filled with people and the greatest
excitement prevails. 1t is not known what the
Orangemen will do, but it is thought that they
will persist in walking.
MONTREAL, July 11.-Evening. excite
ment increases as the Orange anniversary APP
proaches. There is deep anxiety on every
countenance. The mayor is resolved not to be
superseded and will have command of both the
city police and the body of 500 special consta-
bles sworn in today. The military will remain
under the direction of the magistrates who
called them out, Sir Selby Smythe of course be-
ing in command. The latter has not been
sworn in as peace commissioner, and will
therefore only act in military capacity. An
active search was made in the Orange hall to-
day bv the police, but no arms were found
The recorder and other magistrates we're en-
gagged all day swearing in special copstables
and it is expected the full number of 500 will
be accepted tonight and receive their batons
tomorrow. Each special constable is to swear
that he belongs to no secret society and most
OF the men who gave in their names were
Catholics, either French or Irish. From the
general run of the men accepted the gravest
doubts are expressed by those present of their
being any great help in preserving the peace of
the city. One hundred special oonstables to
protect the workshops and sheds OF the Grand
Trunk Railway at Point St Charles were
sworn in. Sixteen men also were sworn to
guard st. Patrick's church.
1t is not really known whether tina Mayor
will prevent the Orangemen from walking and
1t Is doubtful If he assumes the responsibility
OF the procession in the present uncertain state
OF law. Many and various are the opinions as to
the weight to be attached to the advice offered
by lawyers on the illegalitp of the Orange So
ciety. It is strongly urged that it was never
contemplated to apply the act cited by lawyers
to the Orange or any other modern secret So
cieties, including the Odd Fellows, Foresters,
Temperance and Irish Catholic societies, for
all are in the same boat The consolidated
statute that.counsel have given their opinion on
is manifestly founded upon the act OF 1888,
passed BY the council of Lower Canada for the
suppressng of reasonable societies arising out
OF the 1887 rebellion. Ii has been suggested to
the Mayor to allow the procession to proceed
unmolested, to arrest say two or three of the
leading Orangemen who could give bail and
make their case a test one before the courts
The force under command of Leutnant Gen
eral Smythe numbers about 3000
Final orders were issued this afternoon with
regard to their disposition tomorrow. The sd
and 54th battallions, about 400 strong, will
take up position in Place Dame Square; A
and B batteries with mounted detachment of
Goth and 57th will occupy Victoria Square and
Beaver Hall Hill; the 18th battalion will oc-
cupy Grand Trunk workshops; the Point ST.
Charles and Beauhomois contingent will occu-
py the barracks and guard the stores on the
Island; the remainder of the force com Drlsed of
number one troop cavalry, Montreal Garrison
Artillery, the LIST, 3D., 9Th, 9th and 56sh regi-
ments together with the st. Jean Baptiste Co.
OF infantry will occupy Dominion Square. All
the troops will be in these positions before 9
o'clock in the morning. The Montreal field
battery will proceed rapidly from one place to
another as occasion requires, each division to
be accompanied by magistrate under whose
Instructions they shall act.
Very few strangers arrived in the city by
train the last few days, and this morning cars
were comparatively deserted A company of
military are to be stationed at Victoria bridge
to guard it.
In an interview with Gen. Smyth tonight he
stated be would act under the magistrates
orders Twenty additional men were added to
the water police force today. A number of
rough looking characters called on a dealer in
explosives today wanting dynamite. One man
was anxious to get small keg, but the appli-
Giants would give no satisfactory reason for
such unusual orders. 1t was reported to Gen.
Smyth that the 25 kegs of powder stolen from
the Hamilton Powder Company are concealed
in the drains of the city to use if an oppor-
tunity offers in blowing up buildings. A mum.
Der of carpenters are busily engaged max ing
shutters for shop windows in anticipation Of
trouble tomorrow. 1t has been reported that
400 men armed with revolvers left Ouebec this
afternoon to come to this city and assail the
Orangemen. In addition to the general
hospital arrangements for tomorrow the Hotel
Dieu hospital will also set apart a ward for
accidents.