The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1888-09-05

this connection he used the assertion "that dollar
day was better than doing nothing at all, and that
wOrkingman ought 10 get along on that much" Al
though may not use his exact words, that Is the
impression that he gave He also said that if this
powers Of the state and federal government in order
TO move the trains and carry on the commerce OF
the country. That the trains must at all haz-
ards and at this point he became much excited
He offered no arbitration; would listen to none.
Nothing would be accepted but absolute surrender
on our mart. Before he had finished he became so
Chairman Sayer tried to get back, aud after Har
MI. MURPHY.
Patrick II. King another of the strikers.
Patrick IL. King, who lives at 151 Meek-st.,
indianapolis, Ind, 10 conversation relative to
the great railroad strike of 1877, and Benjamin
Harrison's connection Herewith, made the fol-
lowing statement:
In July, 1871 was a conductor on the Bee Line
road and had very lively interest in the things
that took place during the strike, being of the
road committee representing the men. On the morn
ing OF July D. or 26 as l remember the date, an en-
game the j., NJ. q l. with two coaches filled with
soldiers, well armed and equipped landed at Michi
gan-st crossing; threw out picket lines; unloaded
nal. They were under the direction OF Gen. Har-
rison, who took them to the arsenal. At this
other time there the slightest occasion for
troops. Every department OF the road employees had
selected large number of its sober conservative
men, TO watch and protect property and there was
not the slightest danger or disposition TO permit any
harm to be done. was later in the council chamber
at the meeting OF strikers and the committee of
safety at which Gen. Harrison made talk The gem
era drift of his speech that the boys were law
breakers; that they we're stopping commerce that
the roads unable pay better money; that they
(the strikers) should first return TO work at what
they getting before they had any right to talk
about better wages or anything else that II they
kept the thing up they knew that the militia would
take charge OF the railroad property and compel them
submits in the midst of his remarks he got hard
on that the boys got excited and yelled him down
and good many went out / among the rest, before
he got done. PATRICK II. KING.
We will examine the narration given by Will
liam Miller.
William Miller, living on John-st., Indianap-
oils, Ind, and acting as switchman for the |. Il
st. L., had a very distinct remembrance OF the
railroad strike, and what Mr. Harrisons con-
duct and utterances were during those days 50
far as he came in contact with him. His state
ment is as follows:
In July, 1857 was a switchman in the /. 4 ST. L.
yard, and was very we'll acquainted with what was
going during the strike l active partici-
pant in the matter There was disturbance
the part Of the at any time. In TACT night and
day they Watching the property of the roads.
Atthe conference meeting in the old council chamber
now MannecbOr hall, was present. We had been in
vited there for arbitration TO meet the "com-
mittee OF safety" Gov. Porter spoke and was very
kind in his talk 10 the boys. He was followed by
Gen. Harrison, who was severe on us from the be-
ginning lie used the term Flaw breakers with rel
elencc to the strikers and in discussing the matter
of wages, said "A dollar day is good enough for
any working man." These are just the very words he
declared that We must know, If we further carried
the strike and stopped traffic would be put down
by the militia; that they would the bayonet, if
necessary, TO force the men 10 time He got the boys
mad and lots of them went out. Before he GOT done
lot OF us began "Saw my leg oh'-a song the rail-
readers used 10 sing in those days. Saycr came out
and tried 10 get back, but didn't want to hear
any more OF such talk, and soon after the meeting
! broke up W. MILLER
The next witness is William Shook William
Shook, residing at Brightwood, and at pres ent
employed as a switchman in the L. L. q w.
yard was talked with and found to be very
clear in his remembrance of the strike and
ridiculed the idea of poor man giving Gen.
Harrison his support-certainly after knowing
his record. He said:
was at the meeting held in the council chamber
in indianapolis during the strike of 1877 and heard
Harrison make mis- speech 10 the strikers" He
talked about the wages paid TO the different men on
the roads and told the fellows You bad better work
for dollar day than what YOU are doing. 4 dollar
day is good pay for laboring man" might not
every exact word he said it, but that Is Just
as remember it, and | am sure give the meaning
Soon alter this our committee got mad and some or
the boys commenced singing, "Saw my leg of, and
ing. WILLIAM SHOOK.
Let us call John Hoskinson as the sixth wit.
ness,
john A. Hoskinson, now employed at the L.
+. d w. round house, and residing at the Ger
mania house, gave the following version of his
recollection of Harrison's speech at the con-
ference meeting:
In 1877 was working for the l., P. & C. folks as
switch engineer and knew much OF the strike. was
at the meeting in the old council where Ben Harri-
son made his speech. / know that his remarks we're
bitter against the boys and that they stopped him
several times during his talk, which was all one
sided far the strikers interests concerned
On the question he made the claim that the ds
were not able TO pay more aud that the employees
ought TO be satisfied with what they were getting
and said chat dollar a day enough for any
workingman" Finally the fellows got so hot that
they went out and left aim talking The expression
''saw my leg off, was used By number of the boys
when he was talking. j. A. HoSKINsoS