The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-15
THEOHOIOEOF THE HOLSTERS
Harrison and tn. workInrmsn.

W. 81. in CT ncinnafi Commercial 0azetts.
An effort has been made IN some quarters 20
prejulics General Harrisop's candidacy By
claiming that the laboring clauses we're against
ferred to and misrepresented. 1t has been
charged that he was the commander OF the
troops called out on that occasion, and did his
utmost to put down the strike by force The
true history Of those times show General Har-
rison In . very creiitable light, and in one that
will make him friends instead Of enemies among
the workin emsn of the State aud Nation. The
strikes caused great alarm among the people,
property-owners to fear that the lawless sle-
ment IN this city would try TO seize on the oc-
casiou To destroy property.
The strikers had the sympathies of the people
and NO one feared they would join in such a de-
structiou. unless led away by the criminal class.
TO protect the city and not TO interfere directly
with the strike, except in so far as 40 enforce
ment Of the laws would do SO. committee OF
safety was organized. of vbch General Harri-
son, Judge Gresham, Governor Por5 er and
others were members Govsrnor Williams
called out the militia, and Gen. Dan Macauley.
and not General Harrison. was appointed 20
command. General Harrison and judge Gresh-
am each commanded companies or patrols Ell
forts were being made to run trains. aud as the
strikers did not desire 70 prevent the prompt
aud regular carrying OF the mails, trains for
that purpose were permitted to arrive and de-
part, but il was attempted to keep any one from,
olence was used. and men and women were
forcibly taken from the cars.
In consultation between q subcommittee OF
the committee of safety and of the strikers,
General Harrison pointed out that such action
would tend to ALLEVIATE from the strikers the
eympathies of the people, that it was an inter
ference with the rights of the friends of the
strikers. as some Of them were compelled 70
seek transportation.
The General was the attorney for the receiver
Of the o. 81 NJ, one of the roads affected by the.
strike. Several parties were arrested for inter
fering with the running of trains on that as we'll
other roads Mr.. Harrison. as attorney for
the receiver. appeared and prosecuted the cases
before Judge Drummond. The parties were
convicted and sentenced to term in the county
jail
After they had been there few days General
Harrison went 10 Judge Drummopd and told
him he thought they bad been punished enough.
and that they ought to be released from the rest
OF the sentence. Upon his representation the
Judge did release them. When released. sever
al. IL not all of them, called upon General Har-
rison and thanked him for his efforts IN their
behalf, saying at the time that If they had taken
his advice they would not have been punished
at all, and pledged him their future friendship.
No visit that was ever paid to him gave him
half so much pleasure.
In the above have given the true history of
his connection with the strike Of 1871 Since
then he has twice been q candidate before the
people. and twice has been supported by the
workingmen. While in the Senate several OF
the Knights OF Labor assemblies Of this State
passed resolutions of hanks to him for his ef-
forts in behalf OF American labor.