Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1892-07-13
Affairs at Homestead.

Carnegie mills are now IN possession OF
the owners and guarded by soldiers.
Some of the self-constituted leaders
of the mill men, who have been very
ollicious all along in their espionage of
strangers, and particularly offensive to
the newspaper men, were much sur
prised and cllagrined when forced back
at the points of bayonets, after hav-
ing blatantly proclaimed who they
were.
The coming Of the troops has had a
perceptible effect upon the strikers.
They are sullen, but subdued, and have
evidently begun to realize that this new
deal has not been made in fun. The
severest setback they have yet received
was administered by Gen. Snowdcn.
Hugh O'Donnell and three leading
strikers visited headquarters and stated
that the object of the committees visit
was to confer with him in behalf of the
strikers, and to offer assistance and CO.
operation with the militia in preserving
order in Homestead during their stay
in the city. Gen. Snowden, after they
had made known the object of their
visit, distinctly and unequivocally gave
them to understand that the militia
represented the supreme majority of
the law of the commonwealth Of Penn
svlvania. He said ''The National
Guard of Pennsylvania have been called
here for the express purpose of restor-
ing order in this community. We have
not asked assistance, as we do not need
it. Therefore, we do not propose to
accept it. We recognize no authority
or assistance from the strikers here.
They are subordinate to Sheriff Nc
Cleary, of the county of Allegheny.
We came here to keep peace, and we
propose to keep il, too In addition,
Gen. Snowden told the strikers that the
mills were now in possession Of Sheriff
McCleary, and were open to anybody
who had business there.
Mr.. Coon, of the citizens committee,
was the spokesman, and, coming to
Gen. Snowdcn, he stated that he rep
resented the association and the citi-
zens; that on their part he welcomed
the troops to the town, and he offered
the cooperation of the citizens in pre-
serving order.
Gen. Snowden said: 81 thank you
for your welcome, but l do not need
your cooperation. The only way that
good citizens can cooperate with us
is to 90 peaceably about their business y
Coon said: 1.-THE citizens wish to
know at what time they may give you
public reception Snowden replied:
Il can accept no reception, sir. 1t
would be most improper. 1 thank you
for your courtesy, but a formal wei
come is not needed. 1t would be an
amazing thing if the national guard OF
Pennsylvania was not welcome in any
part of Pennsylvania"
Mr.. O'Donnell here took up the con-
versation and began: On the part OF
the Amalgamated Association, l wish
to say that after suffering an attack
from illegal authority, we are glad TO
have the legal authority of the State
here"
II do not recognize your association,
sir" General Snowden replied. II
recognize no one but the citizens of the
CITY. We have come here to restore
law and order, and they are already re-
stored"
"But we wish to submit O'Donncll
began, when the General cut him short,
saying: 'Then, sir, submit to the gen.
tleman behind you" O'Donnell wheel
ed around and saw Sheriff McCleary
standing in the group. 81 do submit
to him." he said. ''We have never
questioned the sherih7s order"
The General smiled rather sarcasti-
cally and said; II am glad to hear it.
But you must understand our position.
We are here to preserve the peace. We
represent the executive arm ofthe State
of Pennsylvania. and | have nothing to
say to you further than that the sheriff
must be obeyed."
"But we have obeyed the sheriff.
O'Donncll said. Haven't we, Mr.. Nc
Cleary?"
'No, YOU have not" said the sheriff
''You refused to let my deputies enter
the works"
The committee leftin no good humor.
The feeling of the strikers is very bitter
against General Snowden. He was de-
nounced in unmeasured terms when the
result of the interview with the COM
mittec became known. There is no
doubt but that the strikers are i'm
pressed and subdued by the heavy show
of military. They seem to feel that
they have been beaten, and no longer
boast so loudly of what they intend to
do in case non-union men are brought
| in
The strikers guards have been with
drawn from about the mill. Their
places are being taken by the provost
patrol, which guards all the streets lead
ing to the mill and about it. The rep
resentative of the company, led by Mr..
Otis Childs. took possession about ten
o'clock, but so quietly was this done that
their presence was not suspected until
after noon.
1t is believed that the Carnegie Com
pany has over a thousand non-union
men ready to go into the works as
soon as their safety is assured.
The troops will remain ten days. AS
it costs the State about 81 900 day to
keep them at Homestead, the total cost
will reach anywhere from 500, 900 to
100000. This will compel the ADAM
donment of the State encampment this
year. Instead, the troops will be drilled
at Homestead daily as they would have
| been at State camp.
It has not yet been decided whether
to put the borough of Homestead itself
under martial law, but this will proba-
hI1- MT he done unless some outbreak