The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-11-08
|STR|KE AT new ORLEANS
Business OF All Kinds Is Almost at
q Standstill In Con-
sequence.
A Victory for the Unions Would
Revolutionize Labor In
the South.
IL Would Probably Result In tina Organi-
cation of Negro Workmen on Plan
tattons and Farms.

New ORLEANS. Nov. 7.-Governor Foster
has tho militia in readiness for immediate
action but the belief ia we'll grounded that
no steps will be taken until Wednesday, IA
any serious trouble before would not only
oomplicate election here, but In other Sec
tions. The idlensss of such q large body OF
negroes and the desperation ensuinR upon
the loss of earnings. lead to fear by the
democracy that they will have a hard time
TO maintain supremacy. as the crowds OF
strikers and the absence of street oars Will
serve to keep many of the better ele-
mont away from the polls. In the mean
time the governor 10 using every means
to bring about an amioable termination.
Having procured CONCESSIONS from mar
chants the governor referred the matter to
the unions and they took the matter under
consideration and promised to give an an
swcr by noon to-day. Up to Tonight. how
over, nothing had been heard from them.
Merchants carried on business to-day as
we'll az they could and are determined to
stand firm. They received promises OF
support from other organizations and it 10
said the executive committee received q
letter from Gov. Yarmouth, republican
leader in the state. and q large sugar
planter, saying the planters desired the
merchants to stand firm, as a victory for
the unions would mean the organization OF
negroes throughout the south. and the
supremacy OF the black would be q constant
menace to usiness and the convention OF
producing plantations into grazing lands.
Some of the largest planters of the state are
in the city to-day and said the strike meant
10 much to them that they were willing to
answer the first call for men or money sent
out by the merchants.
As soon as the election ia over the battle
will begin and it is believed the city au-
thorities will throw off a good deal of the
lethargy charged against them. Gov. Fos-
ter received an opinion from the legal
authorities that he can step i'll to preserve
the peace without waiting to be called on
by municipal authorities. BESIDES this
the merchants will determine upon
strong measures on their W account.
The merchants say a number of men
are willing to return to work. but their en-
ployers did not propose to be made targets
for the union men until they are ready for
a vigorous defense, and SO they declined to
take them back for the present. The strike
fails to affect the newspapers to the extent
expected, and the only paper VIII oh 30 fal
failed TO appear ia the Item, the official
organ Of the strikers, although that is OK
pected to appear tomorrow.
During the morning a proclamation wat
issued by the mayor calling upon all per-
Bons to preserve the peace and warning the
people that any disorder would be repressed
BY the sternest measures. The most ser
ious features Of the situation is the auspen-
zion of the two lighting systems, gas and
electricity, and some alarm was felt wheG
the officers of WI electric light companiel
called upon the mayor and said they
A. - - - S,.-t~h 1,rkk - u,-k~
protection for men engaged to take the
places of strikers. This was readily prom
ised. During the afternoon the president OF
the sugar and rice exchange asked the mayor
that protection be furnished those interests.
Nearly 49, 900 barrels of sugar, molasses and
other products lie on the levee at the mercy
of the public tumult, and IL the mayor
could net furnish the force required the
exchange, he said, would tender men to bt
sworn in as special officers. The mayor
agreed to commission all such men. The
board of trade also urged the mayor to dc
his utmost to bring about the resumption
of street car travel, continue the supply o.
gas, electricity and water, int other aotua
necessities.
In reply the mayor announced that hi
powers were restricted to the preservation
of peace, that no could not force, men tt
work, but he could and would maintain
order. Strong influence was brought t,
DtdI Ou tlo clooeAlo Aisus hhcAs y ehoii No
ing out is such a serious matter. and the,
were finally induced to return to work
The gas men are still out. however. as ar,
the telephone line men, but the exchange
bureaus are in, as are the Western Uniol
operators. although strenuous efforts wsr
made to bring them out.
Charity hospital appealed to the direct
ors of the gas company for light to-da,
and offered to furnish the labor required
for the operation of the plants sufficient Il
furnish the hospital, but the directors re
fused, fearing for the safety OF the plant, !
the strikers opposed. The union freigh
handlers quit at noon. but the men en-
ployed in cotton presses and yards are still
at work. but the leaders claim the me
simply worked the day out, and will strik
as soon as positive orders are given.
The cotton exchange is not yet involved
but the cotton trade is affected as it is pro
posed that the cotton men will join in viey
of the strong measures which their EN-
ployers propose to inaugurate Wednesday
nflrra