The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1885-03-06
LABOR TROUBLES.
Collision Between Strikers and
Policemen in Philadelphia.
The Outcome Of a Long Strike and a
Hard Winter.

A Philadelphia dispatch says that the stu
alton in the mill districts of Kensington and
Manayunk is growing serious. At night
there was another riot, more formidable than
the ones that have precedel it. The two dis
tricts are far apart. One is up the Delaware
river, and the other up the Schuylliill. In
both are thousands of persons almost on
the verge of starvation. 1t has
been the hardest winter experienced for
years These starving unemployed workmen
readily join in the cry of the strikers of the
carpet mills, and are desperate. The long
strike of the weavers of Kensngton began in
November A month later the manufacture
ers, finding that the strikers were determined,
began to look around for non union weavcrs,
and gradually got TO work again. 1t is
against these "scabs" that all the fuss is
made.
The main point of attack is tho carpet
mill of Thomas Leedom ~ Co., at Howard
and York streets Tho two men against
whom tho strikers vent their greatest hatred
are Walter Cameron and Morgan Stevens
Both wore formerly Knights OF Labor,
but are now rencgadcs, and have been
using their influence to bring weav-
ers from Fall River, Lowell and
Providence. Five thousand men generally
collect about the IecIom mill at short notice,
but no violence was attempted until two DAYS
ago, when the operatives were dismissed.
Last night Cameron alone came out, and was
escorted home by the police after n severe
struggle. Two departments of the mill
are affected by the strike, and are
being operated by twenty hands. After
Cameron left the mill last night
and was assaulted by tho strikers, these
twenty men and women decided to remain in
the building all night. Supper was cord
ingly furnished them by the firm, and they
Slept on cots. Their breakfast and dinner
were also served in the mill to-day Thi,
morning Cameron appeared in court against
eight rioters arrested last night and they
We're all held for trial
more trouble was anticipated tonight and
every preparation was made for it. This af-
ternoun the chief of police issued n procama
ton commanding the rioters to disporse, and
followed 1t up by sending 800 policemen to
surround the mill. They took possession oil
Howard street, leading from the mill to Cam
crunS house, few squares away, and fO
a timo kept back the immense mob that
chOhed every street in the neghborhoDd. To
ward = O'Clock a party of men broke int,
Howard street. AMI then like magic the mol
assaulted the long lines of policemen. Thel
followed n struggle in which the policemen
charged the rioters with their clubs. Head
were cut, and blood flowed freely. Two O
three times the assaults were repeated Fiv,
men We're arrested and sent off in
III patrol wagon AT about
O'Clock Cameron came out of the mill IS
corte by special policemen in rough clothes
Anil ieers and boots and threats they pro
ceedcl for short distance, when the police
men were taken for strikers and charged upor
by the police The rioters took ADVANTAGE OF
the break, and closed in on all sides. A fierc,
struggle ensued in which men We're knocked
down and tramped upon i'll all directions
III" police finally fought their way out anC