The Labor enquirer., 1886-04-24
if the riots we're likely to develop into


the least. There was fairly strong
force of constables at the meeting, COM
manded by the chief of police. This of
fetal and some of his immediate subor-
dinates were dressed in plain clothes
and seemed to have truly wonderful
capacity for getting out of the wa7 when
wanted by some of the distracted under
lings. At the meeting the police had
only to look on in a severe and (more or
less) digniied manner. At anything of
this kind the London police aie incom-
parable. But when tie crowd dispersed
and required to be looked after then
was seen an exhibition of official man
agement that seems incredible. For
about two hours the crowd rioted to
their hearts content in one of the chief
thoroughfares of London, and were
never seriously interfered with. 1t is to
be presumed that the ordinary stray
constable discreetly SUNK of-and who
can blame him? A few hundred yards
from the scene of riot strong body of
policemen were marching and counter
marching and lodging about in all di-
rections but the right one.
At one point of their progress the
crowd was attacked by some twenty
seven constables who seem to have con-
siderably checked the disturbance. But
they seem to have shown good deal
of discretion. So far as fighting the
roughs goes, no record of brave deeds
will be handed down to posterity. But
have the authority of an eye witness
for stating that four or five policemen
brutally i'll used an unfortunate old per-
son whose appearance gave no ground
for believing that he was desperate
character. So brutal and uncalled for
was the injury inflicted by these valiant
guardians of the peace that at length
even the shopkeepers-who surely were
not likely to have much mercy on
bona fide rioter-interfered and saved
him.
Some days after affairs had quieted a
state prosecution of H. M. HYndman,
John Burns, H. H. Champion and John
Williams was announced, and it was
then determined to hold great demon
stration IN HYDE Park on Sunday after
noon. This meeting was held and was
one of the most successful ever seen in
London. The police amply sustained
their reputation for wooden headedness
On the former OCCASION the criminal ele-
ment in the crowd had the upper hand
and rioting was was matter to be ex-
pected; therefore firm action by the po-
lice was necessary. On this occasion the
great crowd was in perfect order and
no reasonable likelihood of disturb
ance; therefore the police ought to
have merely shown themselves in the
way usual at such demonstrations. But
the guardians of the public peace hav-
ing formerly left undone what they
ought to have done now determined to
do what they ought to have left undone.
To the surprise and Indignation of the
spectators the crowd, as it was leaving
Hyde Park, was ferociously charged and
tranpled on by mounted constables,
while the ordinary policemen made a
good deal of havoc among innocent
people. 1t is to be supposed that the
authorities thought to make up for for
mer negligence, but in reality they
showed new phase Of their incapacity.
Even the capitalist press felt the need of
censuring the authorities. But the af-
fair soon blew over and of course no
charge of melting to riot was brought
against the police, although it was plain
enough that they deserved it.
From some points Of view the riots are
to be regretted; from others they are
very interesting and in some ways they
will turn out to be real public benefit.
There is slso decidedly comical aspect
of the affair which should be enjoyed by
all enemies of so-called Claw and order" "
The spectacle of the centre OF "clVlllza-
ton" in fear and trembling for couple
of DAYS because a few roughs disported
themselves when the police were out OF
reach is intensely amusing. What an
amusing study is the braggart bourgeois
Yesterday his SCOTS and sneers were
thrown at the prophets of Revolution
and his pledge given that come what
may the sanctitY of public order and the
rights of property would be maintained.
To-day his knees knock together as a
sign of his abject terror at the prospect OF
London being attacked by few OF its
own lnhabltantsl Who knows but to-
morrow this same type of person may
willingly surrender his tights of prop
erty" to Revolutionary committee and
beg to be allowed to serve the Com
mune2
The greatest evidence of the terror
spread by the riots is to be found in the
immense sums given to the relief of dis
tress funds. In few weeksOver ESQ,
900 is subscribed. What fine lesson
| for the rioters
The aspect of the affair which should
cause regret to Socialists is that greater
skill was not shown hv the Social Demo-
cratic speakers. In the first place it was
lsmentsble blunder to lead q mass OF
.h noonla hronrh streetS lined with