The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1888-07-20
HARRISON AND THE STRIKERS.
His Record La the Troubles OF 1877 One
to He Proud or


The record Of Gen. Harrison in the
labor troubles. so called. of 1877, is the
record of an honorable conservative,
patriotic man. There Is nothing to apol-
ogize for in it. 1t Is not necessary to re-
call the details of that time. Life and
property had been destroyed in Pittsburg
archists, who, in large cities, are always
ready to take advantage of the disturb
ance of social conditions to work their
ruin and disaster, To prevent like scenes
of destruction in this city, Governor
Williams. Democrat, called upon
law abiding citizens to form militia
companies for the protection of life and
property. In this course he was indorsed
by Mayor Caven, by Sheriff Pressly and by
such Democrats as Senator Mcdonald,
Franklin Landers, Gen, John Love, Viii.
liam H. English and others. In response
to this call several hundred citizens, of
all shades of politics, organized them
selves, and to the command of one COM
pany Governor Williams commissioned
Benjamin Harrison. The militia was not
called into existence to settle the strike;
had nothing to do with the strike; it never
came near the strikers. 1t was to protect
the lives and property of peaceable citi.
zens and preserve public order, and in
that work company Of the strikers them
selves aided, to their credit be it said.
The strikers did precisely what Gen. Har-
rison and other citizens. Republicans and
Democrats, did.
There was another capacity in which
Gen. Harrison served. He was q member
of committee that had for it's purpose
conference with representatives of the
strikers and an adjustment of their griev-
ances with the railroad companies. From
beginning to end of these conferences Gen.
Harrison's voice was for peaceable, lawful,
conservative measures. He was on the
side of the strikers, SO far as the justice
Of their demand for increased wages was
concerned He repeatedly said their
wages were too low, and that he would
use all his personal influence to secure
Just increase. Gen. Harrison has ever
stood for and pleaded for high wages for
labor, insisting that anything was too
cheap out Of which labor was not
properly and amply remunerated. While
doing this Gen. Harrison urged the strik-
ers to cease what was clearly against
the law, warning them that they would
get into trouble otherwise. When
some OF them were arrested and punished
by the United States court they acknowl-
edged the Justice and the wisdom of Gen.
Harrison's advice, and were thankful for
his influence with Judge Drummond,
which was exerted to terminate the period
and limit the extent of their sentences,
the general insisting that it was only the
law that should be upheld, and not the
punishment Of individuals. When some
hot headed people wanted to march the
militia against the strikers Gen. Harrison
said no; he did not propose to 90 out and
shoot down his neighbors. Mr.. Melon
aid, who was associated with Gen. Har-
rison on the committee, testifes to the
generals wise and conservative action.
He says:
II was associated with Gen. Harrison
In conferences with the strikers, and
throughout he advised peaceful settle
ment Of the trouble. / have no recollec-
ton Of his using any bloodthirsty Ian
| guage or insulting any representatives Of
the strikers during our conferences"
Mr.. Mcdonald also says Of this matter
II don't think that will cut much of q
figure as All issue in this campaign. The
situation was threatening In Indianapolis
then, and committee OH public safety
was organized. There was sub-com-
| mittee appointed to endeavOr to arrange
| ",
| possible, and to take what measures might
be necessary to protect the public inter.
ests. Ben Harrison Ex-Governor Porter,
Ex-Governor Baker, Franklin Landers
| afterward Democratic candidate for gov
ernor and myself were that committee.
We met committee of the strikers in
the council chamber In q public confer
ence. talked to them and told them
that we sympathized with them and rec.
ognized their right to quit work IL they
were not satisfied with their wages or
their employers; but that they had no
right to prevent other men from working,
and that when they attempted to do so
they became law breakers Gen. Harri-
son and the others also talked to them in
the same strain"
This is all there Is Of this business, and
1t is a record in the highest degree credit
able to Gen. Harrison; not line would he
wish to blot out; not word would he
change, or try to change, even for the
presidency of the United States. The
men who object to it now do so either
from partisan reasons, and thereby show
their bastard lack of patriotism and true
citizenship, or they are cut threats and
assassins, house burners and Anarchists,
lacking only the courage and the opportu-
nifty to put into practice what Is in their
cowardly hearts. The militia was called
out to protect life and property, and 1t
was not used for any other purpose. The
man who objects to Gen. Harrison for obey
ing the call Of Democratic governor like
the patriotic, brave citizen he Is, and who
are trying to manufacture political CAPT.
tai against him for his honorable, con.
servative, law abiding action, thereby
confess themselves against the supremacy
of law and in favor Of destruction Of life
and property by mobs. No honorable
man would so place himself Others are
simply lawless anarchists, who brand
themselves as house burners, pillagers
and murderers. Gen. Harrison does not
expect the votes Of such, and IL they
think to enlist any intelligent working.
man in their infamous crusade, they are
simply mistaken. American workingmen
arc not built that way.-Indianapolis
Journal.