The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-02
AT EAST ST. LOUIS.

out interference.
AT EAST ST. LOUIS.
The Blockade Not Yet Raised-Speeches by
Oglesby and Irons.
EAST ST. Louis, April lowing to the alb
sence of any definite orders from their executive
committee as to the exact time when they shall
return to work, the strike Of the yardmen and
switchmen in this city still continues. The
strikers have assembled in great numbers this
morning in the railroad yards and around the re-
lay depot, but no serious disturbances are antici
pated They have expressed their intention of
not resorting to violence, however great
the provocation and will pursue the same
course as that Of yesterday, in the attempt to
render freight traffic an impossibility by per-
suading the engineers to desert their posts. In
view of the determination the necessity Of calling
upon the State militia to protect the railroad
property is not now seriously considered The
presence of the Deputy United States marshals
has restraining influence upon the more de-
monstrative members of the crowd, and the
efforts of the Wabash road, which is under con-
troll of the United States Court, to start out
freight trains, are not interfered with. The
knowledge that the Governor of the State and
Adjutant-g Vance are watching their every
move in order to determine whether or not it
shall be necessary to call out the militia, also
restrains the strikers from violence. and the
crowds are, in consequence, unusually orderly
Governor Oglesby, after breakfasting this
morning, proceeded to the relay depot, where the
largest number Of strikers were assembled and
addressed to them some well-chosen remarks bear
ing upon the strike. He cautioned them against
resorting to violence in any case, and informed
them that the laws must be obeyed and enforced;
that If the county authorities were not equal to
the task of preserving the railroad property,
there was power still stronger which would be
called upon to prevent its destruction. The
Governor then invited them to meet him at
Turner's Hall at ii o'clock, where he desired to
talk with them upon the general situation. One
Of the crowd intimated that such meeting
would be acceptable to them provided the
strikers could have chance TO talk back" and
present their side of the case. To this the Gov
ernor agreed, and the strikers appointed one of
their number to act as spokesman for them.
The men are enthusiastic the proposed
meeting, and are gathering in large numbers at
the hall
The crowd of strikers increased until their
number reached 600 men. awaiting the arrival Of
the Governor. Judge Messick appeared before
them at 1890 o'clock, and informed them that,
owing to the great pressure of most important
business, it would be impossible for the Governor
to meet them until o'clock this afternoon, to
which hour the meeting adjourned.
The meeting of strikers at Turner's Hall
greatly increased the number Of strikers congre-
gated around the relay depot and the railroad
yards. and the officials of the Vandaia road
thought they would take advantage of this by
sending out freight train. One was according
ly made up, but upon starting from the yards
the engine was approache By number of strik
ers, who persuaded the engineer to desert his
post. The engine was then detached from the
train, and run back to the roundhouse At the
same time freight train was made up on the
Illinois d st. Louis tracks, and was about to
start out, when several strikers requested the
engineer to abandon his engine. This he refused
to do, and the train departed without further in
terference
In the afternoon Governor Oglesby addressed
a crowd of three thousand people from the steps
of the Jail in East st. Louis in regard to the
diton of affairs, and the crowd
gave him very respectful attention.
His speech was general elaboration Of his re-
Exchange Of st. Louis this morn
ing, and the emphasizing of his purpose
to preserve the peace and to again put the
wheels of commerce in motion by the running
of trains and the moving Of the products of the
country.
After the Governor concluded, Martin Irons,
chairman of District Assembly 101. Knights of
Labor, was called out, and spoke briefly. He
denied that the present difficulty was on account
of the discharge of one man; it was for a
Hall in a Job, it would be better
for the Knights themselves to pay him his
wages than to strike. He took issue
with the Governor about this being the best
the government was perverted. Jay Gould and
Hoxie, and his like, run it. He asked if it
was Jay Gould or the bone and
slnew of this land that made this country,
and then demanded of the Governor to
like Jay Gould should be permitted
to own this country and hold the liberties and
destiny Of the people in his hands. 1t was tha
thriving of such men as Jay Gould that enslaved
all countries and nations He desired to correct
Knights favored violence or lawlessness This.
be declared was not true, but quite
the contrary. There were no COM
plants against Jay Gould for violating
the law, which ne was doing every day; nothing
was done with him for breaking the laws. He
filed the poor houses and houses of infamy by
robbing labor of its just dues. II tell
you," continued the speaker, "if the railroads
force us to violate what they call law,
the time will soon come when the
and government will all be overthrown. The
Governor says arbitrate; that is just what we
are battling for, and there should be no militia
called out against the laborers for asking what
the Governor advises US to demand; The rail
roads, in treating with the laborer, do so as an
organized body, and why should they deny the
same right to the labor INTEREST," He closed by
severely criticising Mr. Hoxie and demanded
that the Knights of Labor be recognized as q
body.
The Governor left for home tonight His visit
and speech had a marked effect for good, and
Sheriff Ropiquet states that he thinks it will
cause the lawlessness to subside
The general managers and superintendents of
the East ST. Louis roads held meeting this
evening, discussed the situation and
criticised Governor Oelesby. They finally
what effect the Governors visit would have, and