Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-07-28

WASHINGTON, July 22.--The Pinkerton
brothers were given opportunity this morn
ing to explain aud defend tho workings OF
their systoin, by the special committee of
the House committee on the judiciary,
which has been engaged in the investigation
of the labor troubles at Homestead, as
well as the Firkcrton system. Mcssrs.
Hays, Deylln and Wright, of Inc Knights
of Labor, were present to watch the pro-
ceedings. Robert Pinkerton took the stand
and laid before the committee statement
that had been prepared. The two pinker
ton brothers were present with their coun-
tel. The statement in substance say; "Ihe
men employed by rs IN this
strike were selected with great
care, only after fun investigation
OF their character and autecedeuts.
"Not a single instance can 10 cited where
we have knowingly employed unreliable or
untrustworthy men, or where any Of our
watchInen have been convicted Of Il crime.
When first reques ed to send wGtchmeu to
protect tho Homestead plant and the prop
prty Of the Carnegie Steel company, linn
TIED, We refused TO do so unless all our
men should ba sworn in rs deputy sherit,s,
before Going to Homestead. We were then
assured that the sheriff Of Allegheny county
knew that our men were going to Home
stead to act as watchmen and to guard tie
property Of the company and protect its
workmen from violence. No were further
assured that the sheriff had promised, i'm
mediatoly upon any outbreak or disturb
ance. to deputize all our watchmen as sher
IFS deputies, if it became necessary for the
protection Of life and property On that
condition only did we consent to furnish
about 800 Watchmen. 4 large number of
these men were our regular employees, VINO
rould be thoroughly trusted for integrity,
prudence and sobriety The remainder
were men whom we employed from time to
time, or who were known and recommend
ed to US.
"They did not 60 into the State Of Penn
sylvaria as an armed body or force and VIC
should not have permitted or assented to
this, There was no intention or purpose,
whatever. Of arming them until they were
on the property of the company at Home
stead, and until and unless they had been
sworn in as the sheritf's deputies. The
sheriff deputy, Gray, accompanied our
men, being on the tug towing the barges,
and it was distinctly understood that he had
authority to duly deputize them in case of
necessity.
tion were shipped from Chicago and were
to be delivered at the Homestead yards.
The instructions to our men were that they
should not be armed unless previously depu-
tied by the sheriff.
The statement then gives a detailed ac-
count Of the shooting, practically the same
as has Daou already published and continues
rs follows THE acts OF the strikers after
our men surrendered would be disgrace to
savages. Not, because done in the name of
organized American labor, sympathy, if not
encouragement is shown for such deeds by
part Of the press and by political dema-
gogues.
1--WE do not shirk tho responsibility for
any Of our acts IL this or any other strike.
The coming murder trials ought to bring
out the truth and uphold tho law. Our ac-
tions will then be shown to have been legal
from beginning to end. Whatever may be
the present prejudice against our agency
we shall patiently await the sober reflection
Of the country, in the confidence that the
enormity Of wrong and outrage done to our
men at Homestead will be ultimately reoog
nized, although the example will in the
meantime have caused incalculable in jury
10 the community"
Eviction Notices Served.
HOMESTEAD, @2.-Swiftly on the heels Of
the governor departure the serving of
eviction notices commenced on Shanty Hill,
and 80 eXpeditiouaiy was it conducted that
nll of 40 or 90 families subject to notices
We're served before the chief executive was
10 miles on his journey to the capitol. AS
a rule the notices were received in grim
silence, and without any exhibition of feel
ing by the recipients. No distressing scenes
If to na Wit lol
the 10 days notice stipulated in the lease,
postponiug such occurrences.
PINKERTON5 IDENTIFY O'DONNELL
The Charge OF first Degree Murder May
Iie Preferred Against Him.
IITIaHURG, Pa, July 22.-This after
noon eight men, supposed to be Pinkertons
who were at Homestead on the sixth inst
the day of the riot called at the county
Jail to identity Hugh O'Donncl. Tho lat
ter was brought into corridor with a
dozen others confined in the jail and was
identified by each Of the eight men. The
purpose Of this movement on the part OF
the Pinkertons could not be learned, but il
is supposed and surmised to be connected
with possible objection TO Mr. O'Dounoll'
being released on bail. TO prevent this re
lease, a charge Of first degree murder mus
be made against him, and the visit OF tho
supposed IlIkertons is thought to have
Leen made with view to substantiatnc
such charge against Linn. Tho hearing oil
D'Donnells case for bpu will be held to
morrow
The LAST DAY or GRACE.
homestead Iron Workers Would No