New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-06-29
GEM HARRISON'S RECORD.
HE AIDED IN SURPRISING THE RAILROAD
RIOTS
STERN IN HIS MAINTENANCE OF LAW AND
ORDER KINDLY IN HIS EFFORTS TO oBTAlA
MERCY FOR THOSE WHO HAD
BEEN GUILTY OF DISORDER
inv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE ]

ORDER KINDLY IN HIS fstfOhIo ~ oblhlAt
MERCY FOR THOSE WHO HAD
BEEN GUILTY OF DISORDER
inv TELEGRAPH TO THE rnrBUSE.I
Indianapolis, June 2S.-The enthusiasm In
indianapolis over the nomination OF Benjamin
Harrison for President has been so great and so
persistent that it has seemed as If no man in the
city, Republican or Democratic, would vote
against him. Naturally this popularity Of General
Harrison has been dispeasing to the editor of tbs
Democratic organ here, The indianapolis Sentl-
nel' and for two days he has been at work prepar
ing an article to lessen If possible, the favor with
which General Harrison is regarded The article
appeared this morning, ard instead of being dam
aging TO General Harrison, is helpful to him. as
calling attention to one of the most honorable por-
tions of his career. What is worse in the eyes OF
Democrats, it assais unconsciousy two OF the
patron saints of the Democratic party In this
State namely, Blue Jeans Williams and ex-
Senator Joseph Mcdonald. The article, therefore,
is denounced by Democrats. and the editor is IN
disfavor among them. The editor OF The Sen
tineln assails General Harrison because he came
forward and offered his services in response to o
call issued by Govern n Williams tDemocrat Tor
volunteer militia to protect property in Indian
apolis while the strike of the railroad engineers,
brakemen and switchmen was in
progress in 1877. General Harrison's
course in that crisis was so characteristic,
showing him at once such an upholder of the
law, and so sympathetic with men desiring an
advance of wages, that it is worth while record
ing it in some detail. His friends have no apollo
gies to make for that any other part OF his
career All remember the great railroad strikes
of the year 1877, how they broke out on the
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in Maryland swept
westward and involved the railroads in Pennsyl-
vania, put an end for time to the running of
trains in Ohio, and finally locked up the trains
in Indiana 1t was in that period
on Sunday, July %, that mob in Pittsburg
burned property worth s4,O00,0O0. The people
of Indianapolis on that day had no anticipation
that the railroads centring in this city would be
affected by the strike but on the following day,
Monday, July %, the bralemen, switchmen and
railroad engineers of the Vandalia road TO st.
Louis stopped running their trains and the en-
ployes of the St Louis and Indianapolis Railroad
followed their example. On the succeeding Gay,
July "a, no trains either passenger or 1relght'
left indianapolis The strikers took possession Oh
the Union DEPOT and would permit none hut
mail trains to depart. Mayor Gavin was helpless
He did not have sufficient policemen to protect
the railroad property or the property OF citizens
in case there should be such an outbreak of
mob violence as that which had just occurred at
Pttsburg In this emergency, Mayor Gavin re-
solved to appeal to the Union veterans or the
war and other patriotic citizens to give the au
thorties of Indianapolis their aid He therefore
issued the following proclamation:
indianapolis, July "a, 1877.
To the law-abidlng citizens of Indianapolis
You are requested to meet masse in front OF the
new Court House, Westinghouse, this evening at
40 D. m, to consult to measures for the public
safety. let your numbers be so largo and the adj
dresses of such character that It will be demonstrated
that tho people of this city on the side OF law and
order. Measures for organization for the protection
of life and property will also be adopted.
MAYOR GAVIN.
A COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC SAFETY.
The meeting was a large one, and it was COM
posed of rcsolutc men, Nearly every leading citi-
zen of indianapolis was present. The practical
step was taken of appointing Committee OF Pub
lie Safety composed Of one member from each
ward. One Of the most conspicuous members OF
this Committee of Public Safety was United States
Senator Joseph i. Mcdonald, one Of the leading
Democrats of the State. The movement was not
in any sense partisan one. Indeed, partlsanshlp
was lost sight of in the common peril OF the com
munity The Committee Of Public Safety had
mixture of Republicans and Democrats. AT meet
ing of the committee for organization directly
after the public meeting Senator Mcdonald said
that grave responsibility devolved upon the com
mittec lie recounted the deplorable results of
mob violence elsewhere and said: This city
must be protected therefrom by thorough organiZa
tom But if measures were taken to protect
property, measures were also taken to settle the
strike, if possible by arbitration, and in this con-
ciliatory action General Harrison took leading
part In its report of the meeting called by Mayor
Gavin the statement below is made by " The lndl
annapolis Journal Of July %, 1877:
After remarks by Messrs. j. NJ. Rdenour and
Franklin Isnders Ia leading Democrat Colonel 5. f.
Gray and Dr. P. III. jameson, in regard to the proper
action for citizens to take In this trouble between the
railroad companies and their employees Mr. Ianders
moved that a committee Of ten Of the most prudent
men that could DO selected be appointed to confer
with the committee of the strikers in friendly spirit
and ascertain Just what their demands are and what
they propose do also to consult with officials OF
the various roads and what their determination
IS. 1t was explained that the chief objects of this
committee would be to whether some concessions
could not be made on both sides and to counsel with
the men with view of ending the trouble by peace
able means, II possible. The following were chosen
as the committee: Franklin Landers, afterward the
Democratic candidate for Governor; Benjamin Harrl
SON. Albert G.. Porter, DR.. p. II. Jameson, Hiram b.
McCune, Dr. W. c. Thompson, Governor Williams,
Ex-Governor Parker, Mayor Gavin, Colonel b. c. Shaw
T. d. Kngan, John X. Elder, General T. a. Morris,
General r. 5. Foster, and A. T. sinkcr
The committee will meet at the Council Chamber at
O'Clock this afternoon. The leading representatives
OF tho strikers are earnestly requested TO meet with
the committee at the above mentioned time and place
for the purpose Of friendly consultation.
EFFORTS TO BRING ABOUT ARBITRATION.
The committee on mediation met on the follow
ing day The railway men were represented by
". III Sayrc, grand secretary of the Brotherhood
of Locomotive Engineers, who stated the demands
and wishes of the railroad men and detailed their
grievances General Harrison took a leading part
L" The polls Journal in its report OF the
meeting says:
General Harrison made an eloquent and logical
speech of some length, rplete with legal lore and
sound good sense. lie counselled obedience to the
law but at the same time strongly expressed the oylu