The record-union., 1894-07-21
sacrament from Trustee Lawton.

The criticism Of the actions of the Trus-
tees during the past three weeks induces
me to make statement as to what part
they took IN the railroad strike.
1t should be borne in mind that the
charter says that s'the legislative power
of the citv of Sacramento shall be vested
in a Board Of Trustees" j. e., TO pass
ordinances, authorize the Mayor to do
certain things, TO make Investigations
and other similar things.
The Mayor ia the chief executive officer
of the city. he has a general supervis-
ion over all departments of the city. he
phall take all proper measures for the
preservation Of public order and the sup
preston of all riots ana tumulte. for
which purpose he Is authorized and en-
powered to use and command the police
force, and If such police force is 1nsuth-
cient he shall cali on the Governor fer
military aid.
AT shortly after noon Of June 29th
received q message from Colonel J. b.
Wright, requesting me 10 call st his Office
as aoon as possible l did as he re-
ouested and be informed me that the en-
ployeS Of the road had quit work, ana
that they could not move any trains, IN
fact every track was blocked with trainss
and that the men would not allow them
10 be moved De stated ii the property
of the railroad should be destroyed the
city would be held liable tor damages,
which might run into millions OF dollars,
if the men did as they have done in other
strikes in several cities Of the United
States. Mr.. Wright said the men were
orderly and good -natured. and no dlo not
wish ne to understand that he was max
ing any complaint, but that he desired
me 10 understand the true situation as
the chief executive officer of the city, IN
the absence Of Mr.. Stelnman, who was
IN San Francisco.
It was easily to be seen that my hrst
duty was to become thoroughly informed
of both sides of the situation. there
tore held consultation with Chief Drew,
who informed me that on the day before
he had, at the request of Colonel Wright,
placed his men in charge OF mail tram
containing Pullmans; that he then got
on the engine and told the engineer to
pull out. The engineer said he would noL
take the train out, but that be would take
care Of the engine until another engineer
was put ia charge Of the engine. Mr..
Drew reported this to Mr.. Wright and
waited awhile for an engineer, put no
one at that time offered to take the train
out. We then held 8 consultation with
Mr.. Knox and later in the afternoon
with the Mediation Committee.
Both Mr.. Knox and the committee
stated they had no intention OF using
force to prevent the running Of trains;
also, that they had men stationed through
the yards to prevent destruction OF prop
erty. I then lett and went among The
mensand found q number whom knew.
/ soon became convinced that there was
bad advice from outsiders than from the
employees of the road.
On Saturday, June 30th, I had several
consultations with Mr.. Wright, as well
SIS members of the American Railway
Union. There was no disposition shown
On the part of the railroad officials to un-
dertake to move any trains. The men
were peaceful and orderly, and. as Mr..
Wright said, there was no fear of harm
from the railroad employees, but from
bad advice from outsiders. The railroad
company's water train was in such a
position that in case Of fire it could not be
used. We offered to send one of the city's
nre-engines, fully equipped. to the rail-
road buildings and keep it there until all
danger was over. Mr.. Wright thought it
not necessary, as ne did not consider
there would bs danger from any source.
Mr.. Steinman returned to the city Sun
day night, and on Monday, July I'd, there
was q great deal OF excitement. The
Trustees held an informal meeting and
advised the Mayor to increase the police
force TO as great number as he deemed
advisable; that there was large number
of the tough element coming to the city,
and we wished him to have all the force
he needed to preserve the peace and en-
force the law, and the Trustees would
pay the bills; also, to fully equip the re-
lief fire-engine and station II at the rail-
road shops. This was done, and it is still
there, On Monday. July I'd, met Mr..
Baldwin, United States Marshal; during
the conversation he informed me that he
did not anticipate any trouble whatever,
IS he found the strikers very Intelligent
set of men.
Tuesday morning. July Sd, at the
depot everything seemed quiet, IN fact
not as much excitement as the day be-
fore, and it looked as though Marshal
Baldwin would have no difficulty in
sending out the train he was having
made up. 1t was nearly noon when one
of the strikers, property owner, said TO
me: "Lawton, the men here are con-
siderably excited; they have just learned
that the business men Of this city, whom
we have made rich, are passing resolu-
tions condemning U.s." That afternoon
when they attempted to start the train,
the strikers separated the Pullmans
from the train. Mr.. Baldwin pushed 10
the ground and the militia were called.
"Wednesday morning, July 4th, the
militia from San Francisco and Stockton
arrived In the afternoon they marched
to the depot, and found awaiting them
8 crowd of two or three thousand excited
yet good-natured but determined men,
who sent up cheer after cheer for the
soldiers. I think it was about O'Clock
when the soldiers were wisely with
drawn, as nothing could have been ac-
complished at that time without great
loss of life. Marshal Baldwin notified
the railroad men that the soldiers would
be returned at P. n, and would take
the depot at any cost. The Trustees
were hurriedly gotten together for the
purpose of consultation. was hurriedly
sent TO the depot to confer with Mr..
Wright and Marshal Baldwin. DR..
Huntington and ]. 0. Coleman were at
the depot. It WIS agreed by these gentle
nlen that while the soldiers could cap
ture the depot, il would cost = number Of
lives. and probably the destruction of
million dollars worth Of property.
The Trustees met again in the evening
and decided 10 have standing committee
of three, which was to consist of Messrs.
Braggsand Davis and myself
We were directed by the Trustees to do
everything ia our power TO prevent
bloodshed and destruction of property,
and bring about settlement of the diff
Guilty If possible.
We had g conference with Mr.. Baldwin,
the Mediation Committee, Mr.. Wright,
1Ir. Fillmore and large number of the
employees Of the railroad. The result was
when the United States troops arrived on
the 11th inst. they entered the depot with
out resistance.
On the 18th inst. the soldiers stopped
the Chief of Police, interfered with the
Police Department, the Justice Court,
pulled a gun on the Chief Engineer OF
the Water Works while on duty, pre-
vented the coal wagon from hauling coal
10 the Water Works building, tired two
shots at the City Jail; IN fact, the COM
plants made to the Trustees were en-