The Evening critic. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1881-1885, 1884-03-11
DON'T RESORT TO VIOLENCE.
The Hod-CarrIers' strike be
Just, but They Must Not M the
NJ

The Hod-Cnrrlers' strike, .i<&|K be
Just, but They Must Not Nh the
Peace. 49,
Tho session of the Police Court was
largely taken up to-day trying cases Of as
sault made by union hod-carriers on non
union hod-carriers who were working for
less than $3.50, the amount for which the
union had struck.
The first case called was that of Jessie
Harris, colored hod.carrier, for making q
serious assault on Edward Moulton, an
other colored hod.carrier. MoultoD, who
lives at No. 1917 Eleventh street, stated
that he was at work carrying the hod in
the First Ward yesterday and q crowd Of
the strikers came along and said they
would
Xii Him if He Continued TO work
for So per day, for it was against the rules.
He told them that he would not do any
thing to them, but he was poor and had to
work. He said that Harris was an officer
of the union, followed him down the street
when he quit work and asked him If no
intended to go to work again, and he re-
piled that he did. He made some pur-
chases in store and Harris was walking
beside him, and when he got to the corner
ofEleventh and II streets, Harris struck him
on the back Of the head with some blunt
instrument and some one else struck him on
the hand with stone. The old man show
cd the Court
A Frightful wound on the Back
Of HIS Head.
He was so badly injured that he had to be
furnished with chair while testifying
son of the complainant testified that
his father was struck by Harris.
The defendant denied the charge, and
stated that he was in his house at the time,
and when tho excitement occurred he
thought IL was fire.
Several other union hod-carriers testified
that Harris was in his house when the as
sault was committed.
The Court suspended Judgment in the
case until the physician could como In and
testify as to the nature of Moulton's in
juries.
Robert Fields, another hod.carrier was
put on trial for threatening to kill Moul-
ton.
Officer Cunningham stated that the pris-
oner and others attacked Moulton at the
building yesterday, and
Threatened to XIII Him II He
Went 10 Work.
He said the union had plenty of money and
would get him out, and he hoped every
man on the building would die. The Off
Ger stated that he had to stay with Moulton
all day to protect him.
Mr. II. ii. Young, carpenter at the
building in question, stated that Fields
said to the old man Damn you, you will
not go home tonight
Fields denied making any threats, and
stated that Moulton said no would work
| there if he only got five cents day, aud
witness said "For Gods sake don't do it,"
George Fields testified that Moulton
threatened to strike witness brother with
brick.
The Decision OF the Court.
The Court said: at is apparent that
there is an attempt on the part of these
strikers to interfere with the rights of
others in the exercise OF their privileges.
This is supposed to be free country, and 1t
is one of the rights of freedom for man to
work for whom and what he pleases, and
any attempt to prevent this is an act OF
tyranny, and ] will crush any such at
| tempts."
The defendant was committed for six
| months in default of $500 bail to keep the
| peace.
Two more colorcd hod- carriers named
| Henson Perry and Thomas Reeder were
called up for assaulting an old colored man
named Henson Mackall. The latter stated
that he Is a non-union hod-carrier, and tn,
defendants were union men. He was al
work carrying the hod on Washington
street yesterday. After he quit work Perry
stopped him on the street and asked him /
he intended to work tomorrow. Witnes
said he meant to return to work and PER-,
said he "guessed he would not work to
morrow" Then Reeder ran up and strucl
witness on the head with something aud
knocked Him on His Knees.
Kate Towles, a colored girl, stated tina
the old man was friend of hers and sh,
went and warned him to not come out o
the building, because she heard threat
made against him. She said that Reede
creept up behind the old man and knocked
him on his hands and knees.
Reeder admitted the assault, but said hi
only used his open hand.
He was fined $50, and Perry was released
on his personal bonds