Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-07-09
LONDON'S POLICE.
The Strikers Seem To Be on
the Retreat.
PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST THEM.

Young Men Principally Responsible for
the Demonstration-Smali Pay of the
Men = Riotous Doings in Bow Street
Promptly Queiied-Bismarck Visited by
German-American Rifemen-The Ex-
Chancellor Talks Kindly Of America,
and Lunches His Visitors.
LONDON, July yesterday mornings
newspapers were unanimous in condem-
nation of the police strike, which senti-
ment is shared by the public generally.
Public opinion has condemned Sir Ed
ward Bradford's policy since his appoint
ment as chief of public police. but is over
whelmingly favorable to him in its esti-
mate of his conduct Monday. On all sides
his course is applauded and nobody ques-
tions its necessity. The police were placed
at a decided disadvantage, as regards just
ification, in attempting to strike upon the
short notice they gave of thek intention,
since every member of the force Is bound
by an agreement to give two months no
tice of his purpose of abandoning the
service.
The Young Men Were the Leaders.
The agitators of the strike were mainly
novices, who had everything to gain and
little to lose. The veterans of the force
hesitated to sacrifice the benefits and ad-
vantages of their past long service by fol-
lowing the lead of their hot-headed juniors,
and their hesitancy in the future will Ger
tainly be greater. 1t is unquestionably to
the GOODNESS and better judgment of the
older men in the service that the failure of
the strike is due These men had never
committed themselves to an out and out
strike. and their reluctance to take the
step Influenced many of their colleagues
who otherwise would have responded to
the call for general outbreak.
Meetings of the Discontented.
Several meetings of policemen were
held yesterday, the chief feature of
which was the general disposition
displayed by the men to quarrel
among themselves. 1t is quite evident
that what little of the spirit of organize
ton their movement possessed has en-
tirely disappeared and the entire force is
at skies and sevens The ringleaders are
blaming one another for the failure of the
attempted strike and the younger men are
berating their elders for not supporting
them at the critical time. The men on
duty are restless and sullen. II is true
they are to all outward appearances obey
ing orders with their customary prompt
ness, but the discipline of the force has
been seriously shaken and their work is
being done perfunctorily.
Salaries Of she Police.
The police are not without sympathizers
in parliament in their efforts to better
their condition. Pickersgill, member for
South Bethnal Green, points out that the
ordinary dockman at pence (12 cents) an
hour, if he worked the ordinary number
of hours that a London policeman is on
duty, would receive more pay than many
of the constables The metropolitan po-
lice receive from "a to 20 shillings (S6 to 81
a week and the city police an average Of
shillings more than the metropolitan
Disorder in Bow Street.
A discrderly mob filled Bow street last
evening, but were prevented from com
hitting acts of violence by the mounted
police, who finally dispersed the crowd.
The night police were punctusl in report
ing for duty. At 10 o'clock In the evening
the police cleared all the taverns and pub
lie houses in the vicinity of Bow street and
occupied them to prevent their reopening
The mob resented this action and sixteen
of their number were arrested The crowd
attempted to rescue the prisoners, but
were unsuccessful. In the conflict four
constables We're injured. The crowd was
then dispersed, and at midnight all was
quiet.