The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-09
GREAT MOB IN LONDON

One Hundred Thousand Men Listen to
Sociaiistie Speeches and Smash Win
dows.
LONDON Feb. 9-The meeting of uncm-
ployed wolilmen in trafalgar Square Monday
was the largest of its kind ever held The
estimates a5 to the number of participants
vary, but good judges say that fully 100, ,600
We're present. The square was densely
packed as was also many of the streets lead
ing thereto. The crowds were
harangued by speakers of all kinds,
among them several of evident socialistic
tendencies The latter warned the govern
ment that while the unemployed were pas
sIve now. if not relieved they would atiacs
the bake-shops next Motions We're ma !e
and adopted demanding the opening of reliaf
WORKS by the erIment ami the appoini-
ment uf a mini ter oi commerce
On dispensing the crowd smashed in the
windows of the Carlton and other clubs and
also those of the Pail Mail Gazette Office. Ii
is believed that the smashing OF the win
dows was the work Of foreigners
Conspicuous among the leaders of the ml.l-
titude at Trafalgar square was Mr. Burns.
who ran as the Socialist candidate in Not
tiEgham in the recent election He sneered
at the police and acted generally as if he
wished to bring about a conflict between
them and the people Finally he as
cended the pedestal OF the Nelson
column for the purpose OF delivering Il
harangue. He was we'll aware that this act
would not be tolerated, and the police
politely ordered him to get down. This he
TefuTed TO do, appealing 10 the crowd to re
sist Interference with the exercise of popu-
lar rights. The officers, however, We're de
termined, and they pushed their way
through the excited and resisting mass OF
humanity, and by force removed Mr. Burns
from the pedestal By this time the crowd
had vastly augmented, and the streets
adjacent were packed with urging
mois. The stir in the elevated spot where
the Burns incident took place was easily
perceptihle over almost the entire area
covered hy the concourse and the sight of
helmets and uniforms in the struggle was
accepted as visible proof Of the commence
nient of the fight against the law
The intelligence was reported with a
general and fearful howl and an attempted
rush from all directions TO the point of
interest
The workmen, after the meeting in Traf
algar square had broken up. formed in a
body and marched through Pic ;adilly. Re
gent and Oxford streets smashing the win
dows of the houses along the route On ar
irving in front of the war Office some of the
leaders made rush as if to enter, but were
deferred by the threatening attitude of the
sentry stationed there, who brought his
bayonet to charge Several shops along
the line OF march were looted by the mob.
and windows of the Devonshire club, the
houses of Mr. Arnold and Mr.. John Morley,
the new chief secretary for Ireland, and
other private dwelling were smashed.
Peaceable citizens sought refuge from the
mob by fleeing into the stores and houses
The police appeared to be utterly powerless
Several of their number were severely han
died by the rioters. The mob came to halt
at Hyde park, where another meeting wa:
held.
Socialists and other speakers addressed
the meeting, using the most violent and
abusive language against the government