The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-06-30
WORKINGMEN
HAVE A SINCERE FRIEND
IN HARRISON.
HI. Action in the Great Railroad
Strike of 1877,
For Which He was Thanked by
Labor Organizations.
Interesting "Reminiscences OF a
Critical Period.
His Service lOf LaDOF III Iho
United States Senate,
For Which the Printers Union
Officially Thanked Him.
The More tho Republican Candf.
dates Record is Investigated,
The More Brilliant it Appears.
Not a DemagOgue, but a
True Man.
For Which the Printers Union
Officially Thanked Him.
The AorC tho Republican Candf'
dates Record is Investigated,

Iym,SAroLs, June 20.-Starting in
IN, ,a moor man, and having made his
avn way by hard aud persistent labor,
General Harrison has always been a
tirpI Of workingmen. On more than
onc occasion he has shown himself their
,rpe friend. In the great railroad strike
of Julv, 1877, when the business of the
entire country was paralyzed and blood
sbcd seemed imminent, the Mayor OF
This city called meeting of citizens "tO
cousult for the public safety" AT this
meeting a committee OF 100 was made
nm of persons from each ward in the
city The committee was formed OF
"the most prudent men that could be
selected to confer with the committee OF
the strikers in friendly spirit and u.s.
certain lust what their demands are and
what they propose to do; also, to con-
sult with officials Of the various roads
and see what their determination Isl"
and il was specially stated "that the
chief object OF the committee was to see
n some concessions could not be made
an both sides, and TO consult with the
men with view OF ending the trouble
by bypcaceable means II possible"
FAVORED HIGHER WAGES.
The committee was composed OF rep
resentativc citizens, Democrats as well
@ Republicans, and Of whom General
Harrison was one. In the first meeting
of the committee the strikers were re-
presented By the grand secretary of the
Brotherhood Of Engineers, who ex-
pressed himself iavorably TO the strikers
returning TO work at the then existing
prices, on the assurance Of the citizens
that they would make active efforts and
use all possible influence with the rail
road companies to have their wages
raised. In this meeting General Harri-
son made Il speech, in which she cOun-
selled obedience to.law, but at the same
time very strongly expressed the opinion
that the wages stated were too low, and
desired very much that they should be
raised. lie was willing to use his intlu-
ence with those in authority in favor OF
this desired increase"
On the 10Th OF July, the strike still
being on, further meeting Of the COM
mittee with a committee OF the strikers
was held, at which Gen. Harrison made
another speech, counselling the railroad
employees to obedience OF law, and "ad-
vised the strikers to return to work at
the present rates, and pledged the citi-
Iens committee to use all the influence
il possessed TO secure an increase in the
pay from the companies. He
would do his utmost in their behalf II
they would obey the laws"
CoUSSELLRD MODERATION.
At every conference General Harri-
son counselled moderation and conserva-
tism. The trOnble continued, and on the
10Th oiJuly, Governor Williams, n Demo-
crat, issued call, which, after reciting
the situation, reads:
40 the end that the existing
combination be dissolved and destroyed
in its lawless form, | invoke the aid OF
all law.abiding citizens Of the State. l
ask that they denouncG and condemn
and endeavor to dissuade the
offenders against the peace and dignity
Of our State against further acts OF law
lesSncss."
After the issuance OF this call, Cover
nor Williams, Democrat, decided to ap-
point u commander to take charge OF
and organize militia, and appointed
General Harrison to that duty. The
General declined, and recommended
Gen. Dan Macauley, who was thereupon
appointed. In that interview with the
Governor, General Harrison agreed to
accept the Captaincy OF company, and
was SO commissioned by Governor Will
liams.
HARMsoN's ACTIONS.
General lIarrison's company was com
posed Of some Of the best and mos
prominent citizens of indianapolis, o
both political parties. 1t is also a fac
that on the 2Gth OF July, after the issu
ancc Of the Governors proclamation
the railroad strikers senta committee Z
Governor Williams, and rendered theil
services in the formation Of military
company TO maintain the law" thus
doing precisely what the citizens anC
General Harrison were doing.
The men engineering the strike werl
very anxious ior the prevention OF sucl
scenes as were witnessed in Pittsburgh
The Mayor swore in many OF them u
special policemen to assist in the pro
lection OF order and property; and law
and order were preserved. Genera
Harrison's voice was for mild measure
at all times, and in the committee hi
influence was against any rash actioi
that would have been likely to precipt
tate 4 conflict; but when asked by
Democratic Governor 10 become til
commanding general OF the militia fore
he proposed TO organize he could d
nothing less, certainly, than to yolunteC
TO take place us captain, without In!
ing himself liable to the charge OF II
disposition to assist the Democrat
State authorities in preserving the pul
lie peace.
HARRIsoN's PLEA FOR TIE STRIKERS.
Asa matter Of fact, when some OF u
strikers became involved in the troub
with the United States Court and we
sent to jail by Judge DrummOnd, Ge
Harrison personally wrote letter
the Judge, after q small portion OF the
sentences had been served, suggestil
that the men had been punished ful
enough, and that it would be well I
him to come down here and relea
them. This, il will be remembers
Judge Drummond did, and Rs some
the men passed out OF the court roo
they shook hands with Gen. Harriso
thankinghim, and saying that, had til