The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-01-10
THE JUL Y RIOTS.

The Adjutant-General of the State OF
Pennsylvania, in his report of the labor
disturbances last July, says that after
being notified by the Pennsylvania Rail
road officials that their trains had been
stopped at Pittsburg, and that conflicts
had ensued when attempt was made to
run them, he started for Harrisburg,
and en- route received a. telegram from
the Sheriff of Allegheny County that
mob existed in Pittsburg and were stop
ping railway trains.
1t can not be doubted that if the dis
order in Pittsburg had been promptly
suppressed little or no trouble would
have occurred in other parts of the
State. General Pearson was directed to
aid the civil authorities with the troops
under his command at Pittsburg, July
20, having received a dispatch from
General Pearson that a strong force
would be necessary to quell the disturb
ance; the Adjutant-General immedi-
ately left for Pittsburg. But two hun
dred and sixty out of one thousand
men in the Pittsburg Division of Ma
tional Guards had reported for duty,
and as matters were getting worse, four
other divisions were ordered under arms.
Upon his arrival he was astonished to
find that public sentiment was in accord
and sympathy with the strikers. This
sentiment was surprisingly bitter, and
was almost unanimously indorsed by the
newspapers of Pittsburg, which, with
one or two exceptions, either discour-
aged the action of the State authorities,
or SO far countenanced those who were
obstructing travel as to warrant them,
with their passions infamed as they
we're, in assuming that law abiding cit
izens believed their course to be just and
proper.
General Pearson, in response to in
quiries, said he had confidence in his
strength, and showed his plan of opera
tions. Of its execution the Aiutant-
General knew nothing until after the
conclusion of the affair.
The rioters numbered ten thousand,
|
the Philadelphia soldiers were deserted
by the Sheriff and other civilians, and
not single officer of the city or county
co o-operated with the military. General
Pearson having left General Brinton in
command of the roundhouse, said he
could not go back, that he was marked
man. General Latta considered General
Parsons usefulness at an end, and in.
structed him to procure other quarters
Pearson subsequently offered to do any
duty that might be demanded of him
but was instructed that when wanted he
would be sent for. This virtually re
lieved Pearson from command. Much
criticism has been passed upon Pearson
for his action in this matter, but aftel
he left the roundhouse do not see how
he could have done otherwise. Hi,
mistake was in leaving his troops.
The movement of the troops during
their term of service is detailed, ant
the Ajutant-General says he desires tx
share whatever responsibility attache
to the troops. He is unwilling to pas
judgment or fix the responsibility for tn
conflict between the troops and the riot
ers on any one, although expected to d.
so by the public. Neither is he willin
to pass judgment upon the militar,
standard of the several commands en-
gagged.
The report recommends the reorgani
zation of the National Guard, and it
equipment in the United States uni
form, and compliments the Governor
staff for promptness, efficiency an
yipor.