Los Angeles herald., 1892-11-08
THE NEW ORLEANS STRIKE
A Serious Situation in the
Crescent City.
Labor and Capital Arrayed in
Mortal Combat.
The Principle of Unionism Put to a
Severe Test.
Employers Determine Not to Recognize
Organized Labor-AIl Quiet Now
but Violence Is Expected
After Election.
By the Associated Press. !

| New ORLEANS, Nov. 7.-The effects of
the strike were more apparent this
morning. Few drays were on the
streets; small spring wagons were in
general use. No street cars were run
ming. The city was remarkably quiet,
very little business being done. At 7
q. m. the printers struck. and the out
look for the morning papers is not very
bright, though they will try to get out
editions tomorrow. The Daily States,
being non.union Office, is not affected,
and published as usual this afternoon.
The decision of the printers to ioin
the strike braced up the other wavering
organizations, and the result is that ali
the unions which signed the call for
general strike are now out, except the
cotton laborsrs. These have been al
lowed to remain at work, notwithstand-
ing that they are an important factor in
the situation, in order not to arouse the
opposition of the powerful cotton ex-
change. 1t is understood, however,
that the men are ready to quit when
ever the word is given.
Not street car 10 running. No work
is beirg done, and the only sign OF
activity is in the Wholesale grocery dis.
trict, against which the strike is chiefly
directed. The new men there are will.
ling to remain at work till violence is go
general as to make it unsafe. The
grocers say, if necessary, they will close
80 to 80 days.
All the papers are closed by the
strike OF the printers, except the Daily
States. which is heavily guarded against
| q or mt tn -
coming out.
The proposition made through the
governor last night to arbitrate the
| question of hours and wages, but to
let the question of unionism alone. has
not been replied to by the labor side.
but it is hardly thought it will be ac-
cepted, as uDionism is made the rallying
cry for the labor bodies. The merchants
say they will not recede further.
The militia are ready to come out at
short notice. There has been very little
violence go fer and nething has oc-
Cured to warrant the ordering out of
the troops to the assistance of the
police.
The mayor this afternoon issued a
proclamation warning all citizens of his
intention to enforce the law, and de-
claring that any breaches of the peace
will be followed by arrest and imprison.
ment.
NEW ORLEANS, La, Nov. 7.-Governor
Foster has the militia in readiness for
immediate action. but the belief is we'll
grounded that no steps will be taken
until Wednesday, as any serious trouble
before would not only complcate the
election here but in other sections. The
idleness of such large body of negroes
and the desperation ensuing upon the
loss of earnings is feared, and the
Democracy will have hard time to
maintain its supremacy in conse.
quence, as the crowds of
strikers and the absence OF
street cars will serve to keep many of
the better element away from the polls.
In the meantime the governor is using
every means to bring about an amicable
settlement. Having procured conces-
eions from the merchants, the governor
referred the matter to the unions and
they took the matter under advisement
and promised to give an answer by noon
today. Up to tonight, however, nothing
had been heard from them.
| The merchants carried on business to-
day as we'll as they could and are de-
termined to stand firm. They have
| AOSCiNOu RlOAt6Cb VI 6uppOTb ITOm OUQ6I
organizations, and it is said the execu-
tive committee has received a letter
from Governor Yarmouth, the Republi.
can leader in the state, and a large
sugar planter, saying the planters de-
sired the merchants to stand firm. as
victory for the unions would mean the
organization of the negroes throughout
the south. The supremacy of the blacks
is constant menace to business and
| the convention of the producing planta-
tions into grazing lands. Some of the
largest planters OF the state were in the
city today, and said the strike means 80
much to them that they are willing to
answer the first call for men or money
| by the merchants. AS soon as the
election is over the real battle will be-
gin, and it is believed the city authori-
ties will throw off good deal of
lethargy charged against them,
| Governor Foster has received the
opinion of the legal authorities that he
can step in and preserve peace without
being called on by the municipal author
tiles. Besides this, the merchants have
decided upon strong measures on their
own account. The merchants say a
number of men are willing to return to
work, but do not propose to make targets
for the union until they are ready for
vigorous defense, and SO they have de-
clined to take them back for the present
The strike fails to affect the news
papers to the extent expected, and the
only paper which has so far failed to ap-
pear is the Item, the official organ of
the strikers, although that is expected
to appear tomorrow.
During the morning proclamation
was issued by the mayor, calling upon
all persons to preserve the peace, and
warning the people that any disorder
would be repressed by the sternest
measures. The most serious feature of
the situation is the suspension of the
two lighting systems, gas and electri-
city. The officers of the two electric
light companies called upon the mayor
and said they thought they could fur
nish light if granted protection for the
men engaged to take the place of the
strikers. This was readily promised.
During the afternoon the president oi
! the sugar and rice exchange asked the