New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-04-06
ALL READY FOR A RIOT.
AN OUTBREAK PREVENTED BY THE POLICE

the building in response to the following call in
English and German:
workinmeni Citizensi The Cincinnati Riot. Its
causes and effects. At Cooper UnionEghtn-sI anu
N B.-The representative OF the Cincinnati working
men is expected to address the meeting Other eminent
speakers Edward King Alexander Jonas Frank seuoert
woRKTNG MEx.-RsIse voices against the pack & OF
thieves politicians and capitalists who rob you OF your
By order of the Central Committee Of the sOcalsic
Labor Party
At haf-past seven the doors were opened and the
large hall was soon filled to its utmost capacity.
The stage was decorated with red banners bearing
notices setting forth the principles of the Sociastic
Labor party and on the platform were number OF
more or less well known labor agitators.
S. Z. Shewitch, one of the promoters of the meet
ing, went to Captain J. b. McCullagh, of the Sew
enteenth Precinct Police, and asked him TO Keep
the uniformed police out of tho hall, If possible,
In order to avoid collision, and in compliance with
that request Captain McCullagh and six ofthe most
powerful men in the force were tho only men in
uniform in the hall, though there were about fifteen
policemen present in citizens clothes.
John Most and number of rabid Anarchists were
present and when the meeting was called to order
there was a feeling of suppressed excitement appar
ent that made it look if the precautions taken by
the police were wse 1t was the universal opinion
that only the coolRess and irmnessofthe chairman,
p. j. Mcguire preven ed an outbreak. In calling
the meeting to order Mr. Mcguire said that the
object of the meeting was not to sympathlze with
the Cincinnati rioters, but TO show the people here
that such riots might take place IN New-York mn
less something was done shortly to allay the present
feeling of dIscontent. Edward King said that it
was the men of Wall Street, the gam
blers in grain and the other nee
cssaries of life who were sowing the
l.. ...i,o Z ha
lawyers, monopolists and mllionnaires, who could
organize their own police and armies and laugh at
the Government The lesson Of the riot was that
the political heeler must CO.
Mr. Magure read report from Police Head
quarters stating that Inspector Byrnes had all his
men at the meeting to see how it stood. at stands
full and fair for order" said the chairman.
Alexander Jonas said that if the Socialists
should commence riot they must not go for the
criminals inside the Jail. but for those outside.
William McCabe said that he understood
that Captain McCulagh had orders TO arrest
any one making inhammatory statements. He
stood on his nights an American citizen, and
would say what he pleased.
a speech was made by Franz SeUbert in German,
and resolutions were passed calling on workingmen
to organize to resist all attempts to provoke IN
necessary riots but to prepare with energy for he
ultimate overthrow Of the present political system
HERR MOST SHUT OFF.
After Seubert's speech there were loud cries for
Herr Most "Most can't speak here,D said the
chairman. On the crIos for Most being renewed,
he continued:
There disturbing element here that desires 10 to play
in the poice and have them put out thank the police
here tonSh X They are here & SG PeT
adjourned and ask all friends of labor to 80 quietly 30
their homes.
In ten minutes the hall was clear, and in five
WAS uObOiV around doors
Cooper Union.
Ihe reserve force Of the Twenty-third and Seven
teenth Precincts and the Steamboat Squad, about
fifty men, under command of Sergeant Hickey, of
the Seventeenth, were IN room on the second moor
of the Cooper Union, armed with their night sticks
and prepared for any emergency. .
After the adjournment prominent police Official
told TRIBUNE reporter that he had received or
ders in case of trouble to command his men to hire
upon any person who was disposed to encourage the
mob, and that had any speaker uttered sentiments
which aroused the passions of the meeting he would
have been shot where he stood.
slAfter the meeting the admirers OF Herr Most
gathered IN Justus Schwabs cellar and drowned
their disappointment in copious draughts OF beer
TIE POLICE WARNED:
The circular calling upon wOrkingmen to attend
the meeting was sent by mail to Actng-Superinten-
dent ThOrne in the morning by an unknown per
SON. who also wrote that such circulars were being
distributed secretly among men ofthe working class
Other anonymous letters were sent to Mr. Thorne,
stating that the meeting was intended to incte
riot in the city and that some OF the promoters OF
the meeting had made threats TO burn down certain
houses belonging to capitalists Before noon NJ.
Thorne sent out general ALARM directing the
police captains TO hold the reserve platoOns In read
fness In the police stations after p IN. He also
made rangements in the afternoon for the mass
ing of strong force of officers under the command
of Inspector Murray near the cooper Union before
the hour appointed for The meeting To TRIBUNE
reporter Mr. Thorne made the following statement:
consider It the duty of the police to be always ready
for an emergency DO not apprehend that the city Is
threatened With riot but It is best to take precautions
about 600 men in NewYOk in sympathy with the so
called Socialists Many Of them are strikers or oafers
There are not than 10000 thieves and rufans who
would take advantage of riot to pnnder stores ana
private houses. We cannot afford to have repetition
take to start q riot here the police will be
prepared stop IT, II occasion calls for it there will be
plenty OF clubbing.
Inspector Byrnes sent out q number of detectives
to seek information concerning the intention OF the
persons who called the meeting They brought hum
reports which led him to believe that trouble was
impending. Before p. m he called the entire de-
tectye force together and gave orders to about one
hundred of the men to attend the meeting IN pam
clothes. The men were directed to carry reYOveTs
and billies" The Inspector said he would attend
the meeting to direct the movements of the detec-
tiyes in case of serious disturbance.
THE FORCE ASSEMBLED.
At 7:3O D. NJ, the reserves from the First, Fourth,
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Precincts, num-
bering about 25O men, marched to Police Head
quarters where they were kept under command of
Inspector Murray. The men carried their long
night sticks They were sent to rooms
on the second and third floors, where
they passed the time In singing and
speechmaking. Acting Superintendent Thorhe,
Commissioners French Matthews and Nichols and
several captains were in consultation in room on
the first floor AS the evening wore on MI Thorne
received information that the Cooper Union meet
ing was qr'et and that there little prospect OF
trouble. Inspector Bymes returned TO Headquar-
| 0.f- farm
had been dismissed quietly. He said that, In his
Judgment the majority Of the people in the hall
were ready to make disturbance and were kept In
check only by the knowledge that the police were
ready to Keep the peace. Mr.. Thorne sent out an
alarm to dismiss The reserves and the policemen at
the Central Office were sent home. The Inspector