Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-26

two months than that which came upon 90
Unexpectedly last summer. Preparations are be-
ing made for simultaneous strike all over the
country--on the railroads, at the mines. IN
many of the largest manufacturing establish
ments-and nothing bat the utmost vigilance ON
the part of the state authorities, and such prep.
arstioAs Is will make II possible to crush out
such q movement instantly, will prevent one OF
tue worst calsmlties that has ever beiallen this
country.
"lf anything Of the kind Is contemplated, why
has i, not already taken place T. asked. The
10th of June was said TO have been fixed for Il
general outbreak, hut that day came and went
with no disturbance, and the alarm turned out TO
be false one. The experience of last Summer
Of course causes apprehe n-ion, but is there any
thug definitely known about the plans OF the
workiugmen on which To base such an Union a.
sog have just giyenF
There Is be replied. "The TAX in regard to
$ strike on the 10Th of June had more in It tnau
most people imagined. That day was sctusly
hNed, and the outbreak would certainly have tax
place then, or soon alter, but for the prepare
tons made TO preserve the peace by Governor
Hartranft of this State. When he called out the
militia aud made arrangements 10 oba uniforms
sud equipments fOr them Mt the Franktord Arse
nal. these who were to have managed the stilkc
cali, committee meeting in Philadelphia. aud
after discussing the matter, voted TO postpone the
attack 10 the 10th of August. when 1t MAS hoped
that the couutry might be taken by surprise. That
meeting was held in May, believe, and, alth ,ugh
called, don't think the day for beginning the
strike has been changed. | Anow that there has
been much more activity among the workiugmen
in preparing for II sluce than before tue Phhadel
pha meetings.
"Whai has been done At the subsequent meet
iugs of which you SPEAK
IL have been unaDie to learn very much about
them. One hell 10 New York was sttended by
of my employees. At that meeting II was
voted that the workingmen at important points
he, "A nfPt
to collect money, procure arms and distrIou,e
them. Tue idea was to purchase sec md hand
guns OF muskets. anu to have those which needed
repair put IN order Then they were to be shipped
To desI mated points on the canals, lakes and rIves
by water, when they were to be distributed 10
wagons THIS was TO avoid suspicion, which
would certainly be aroused If they we shipped
by rsll. have not learned that any arms have
vet been distributed out kaow that .ommittee
for that purpose WAS appointed 10 New York"
"1 Gu say that several If your employees &C.
tive in this work; why don't You discharge
them p
because do not dare to do it. Any ma 1ufac-
turer who makes himself particularly obnox ious
TO the managers OF this mOyem ent will be maTkod
for special vengeance when the strike comes.
Neither u the men referred 10 do what amounts
to two hours work day, and yet have to keep
them"
40 you think thai the New York or Western
Communists have any thing to do with this pro-
posed stiiSe
II know they have. An agent from Chicago
stopped at several places along the Erie Railroad
Oh his way to New York last April. | heard that
he came into Penns, wanna, but he did not vist
my town. That he WAS one of toe prom ne ut
Communists OF the country | know from the sub
sequent notices | in the Now York news
papers OF his visit 10 that city. | also learned
what he proposed to some worklngmcn in Horn
ellsyille that should be done when the strike be
gan.
"What was thatp
well. he said they ought to axe the property
Of the rich and that they ought especially TO
break open the banks, take all the money and d.
vide It, There was good deal more such talk
this"
ibid he seem to make an impression on the
workngmene"
well, he was iu consultation with some of
them ln every place, at which he stopped, and
some of them have ctrresponded with him since.
l have been told That organizations have been
formed in several piaces, and | believe that the
STRIKE II one takes place, will be under control OF
the most dangerous class of men"
My railway friend did not think that the National
party, as SUCH either in this state or New ork,
thing TO do with the movement he desci ibed
to me, but he was that the Communists al
most to man are members of the new political
organization. Nnile public opinion here, q.
elsewhere, seems TO be settling down into the be-
lief that there are to be no labor outbreaks this
Summer, those who employ large bodies OF work
ingmen by means feel secure. They think
that Il the State authorities everywhere are con-
stantly on the qdi vlve, and the mslcontents see
that they are ready to deal promptly and urage-
ously with any unlawful demonstration, the sum
mer may pass without serious trouble; but that
il the leaders think that they take the people
by surprise they will certainly precptate con
tiIct.
Since | came here | have been told that Bishop
OHars has recently expressed the greatest snx-
iety IN regard 10 the possible occurrences of the
next two or three months, aud that he is doing
everything IN his power both publicly and prI-
vstey to prevent tnose over whom he has intu
ence from taking any part in the Contemplated
outbreak.