Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1888-09-05
HarrisOn,s Riot Record.

The Indiana Democrats are making an
unworthy attempt to prejudice the work
ingmen against Mr.. Harrison because OF
his stand in relation to the railroad strk-
ers of 1877, which was entirely credtable
The circumstances have not yet been for
gotten in this country, which for time
saw mob law invoked in dozen cities
along railroads from Maryland to the
Mississippi, in the false guise of vindicat-
ing the rights of labor In that season OF
general alarm, the strikers took possession,
July "a, of the Indianapolis depot, and
would let none but mail trains depart
The mayor had too few policemen should
such riot ensue as that at Pittsbnrg two
days before. He called therefore, mass
meeting of citizens to organize for the
protection of property. 1t was held, and
nearly every leading citizen was there
without distinction of party. A commit
tee of public safety was appointed, one
from each ward. Measures were taken
not only to protect property, but for
ward arbitration of the strike. BENJAMIN
Harrison was member of this committee
so was Frank Landers, afterward Demo
CEdllC iOl SONSiuOIs dUu d Gull
ference was held with the strikers. Lam
ders, Mcdonald (Dem.) and Harrison
made excellent speeches; all recognized
the mems right to strike, but warned them
that they bad no right to prevent Others
from working. Harrison offered to use
his influence to obtain an increase OF
wages, expressing bis belief that they
were too low. But as the peace was still
threatened the committee on public safety
was organized, Senator Joseph E. Nc
Donald, Gen. Ben. Harrison, Conrad
Baker, Gen. w. @. Gresham, Gen. T. A.
Morris, Gen. Daniel McCauley and Gen.
John Love being principal members, and
a large number of citizens enrolled them
selves under orders of the committee.
Gov. Williams, "Blue Jeans" Williams
dem. issued sound and firm proclama-
ton, and, at suggestion of the commit
tee of public safety, appointed Gen. Har-
rison to command the volunteer militia,
but, as he was already captain of one of
the companies organized to prevent riot
ing, Harrison declined, and Gen. Nc
Cauley was appointed. Gen. Gresham
was commander of another company
Gen. Harrison's company was detailed to
protect the United States armory. He
put this important point in state of de-
Tense. 1t is certain that Harrison acted
in thoroughly humane and proper spirit
all through. He repealed any suggestion
of attacking the strikers unless it should
become necessary. and when the strike
ended he exe:ted himself to have the ar
rested strikers treated leniently. About
200 had been sentenced to ninety days
Imprisonment for contempt of court. Gen.
Harrison went to Judge Drummond sug-
costing that the law bad been sufficiently
vindicated by the pronouncing of this
sentence, and asking that the men be re-
leased. Those who had already begun
their terms were released, the others were
discharged, and nothing more was heard
of the prosecutions. The Indianapolis
Sentinel acts not only unworthily in at
lacking Gen. Harrison, but in a party
sense foolishly. sinceithe most prominent
Democrats in the state were as much en-
gagged in the preservation of order as
Harrison. 1t was simply citizens duty.
Republican (Mug,oump.)