The morning call., 1894-08-02
HIS SIDE OF 1T.
Governor Markham on
the Strike.
LAW AND ORDER PREVAIL.
What He Did to Settle the
Trouble.
AID OFFERED TO THE PRESIDENT
The Whole Force of the State Held
Ready to Battle With
the A. r. u.

ham to-day gave out the following letter:
To the People of the State: Now that the
strike Is virtually over, so far as the railroads
OF the State are concerned, and the troops out
of the field, do not hesitate to say to the peo-
pie what l have done. 1t is safer to await the
result of events than to attempt to foretell con-
sequences which it is impossible TO foresee.
have been obliged to suffer somewhat from
those who have honestly felt that l ought TO
disclose my motives, acts and pursoses hourly
10 the general public. Results have convinced
me that my course was the best. My only
apology ia that my desire and aim have ever
been to do that which would rebound to the
best interests OF our whole people, regardless
OF its effects upon me personally.
Now that our people can breathe easier, and
reason has been restored to those who are re-
spOnsible for this great calamity, there will be
many who can say what should or should not
have been done by the Governor. The fact
that we are out of ii, with the loss OF so few
precious lives and the destruction of so little
property, causes me to accept my personal
censure without murmur.
Let me say, without egotism, that but two
important events have occurred since smy occu-
patton Of this Office that 1 have not anticipated
and been ready to meet. The first was the
great bank run in 1898. / left the State for the
banks were as safe as any In the country.
Imagine my surprise when the people made the
mad rush at these institutions and my great
qualification at the outcome. Only very few
defective banks were found In the State, and
had these been weeded out, as they should have
been, this calamity would have been averted.
The second surprise was when left the city
of Sacra mento on the 20th day Of June to wit
ness the graduation of my daughters from the
public High School Of Pasadena. 1 had prom
ised to deliver Fourth OF July Grafton at
Nevada City and was therefore making this
long trip TO encourage the one and prepare to
respect the wishes OF the other. Again imagine
my surprise when, without the slightest warn.
ing, the wheels Of our great internal commerce
were stopped by a single stroke and every
industry paralyZed to greater or less extent.
had left the capital sincerely believing that
no city on the coast had so many honest, In
telllgent. welLpaid laborers proportionate to
its population as Sacramento. i had never
heard comp tint from the employees Of either
of the great railway systems of the State. They
appeared to be well paid and well treated.
Many complaints had been made against our
railroads by their patrons, but none by their
employees.
Had this strike been confined to California 1t
would not have been alarming, but when the
same sad facts were made manifest In one Of
the greatest railroad centers of the world was
at once satisfied that II the great city Of Chi
cago was to be Daralyzed, and that, too. with
its proximity to the seat Of the National Gov.
ernmenf, and at time when every function Of
its executive, legislative and judicial branches
were being performed, discretion at least
should dictate that should pause and listen to
their words. AS soon as they were received
wired as follows:
PASADENA. July TO- 1894.
Hon. W. @. Gresham, Secretary Of State, Wash
f7,oton. 1 have just received the Presidents
proclamation as reported in the papers. Please
convey TO him my hearty approval or the same
Chicago is the source and center OF this most un-
fortunate affair. Strikers in California refuse to
sanction any proposition not sanctioned by Debs.
With the strike broken in Chicago this State will
soon resume It's peaceful pursuits. Please assure
the President Of my earnest support
II. n. MARKHAM, Governor.
But in the meantime was not idle. Dozens
Of honest men were employed to ascertain the
cause Of these strange proceedings, and within
twenty-four hours after the strike was declared
1 was confronted with the fact that new
president had leaped into power and that his
will ana his dictates were set up against all
the established laws of this country and that
thousands were blindly submitting to his I'M
perious dictates, scarcely knowing why. and
with smpathiZers enough to constitute almost
a majority OF our people. The leading strikers
would listen to no one, nor TO any proposition
that did not emanate from their improVised
leader-Debs.
There were but TWO courses for me to pursue.
One was to declare martial law and assume
control of everything, and the other TO assist
all the civil authorities to the fullest extent Of
my power In the enforcement Of the laws.
adopted the latter course. On the I'd Of July
f0 In a q N IA on
upon from the National Guard Of California
From all sections except Sacramento the re-
port was positive and assuring. Acts Of law
lessness were being reported to me hour by
hour from so many places In the State, and
especially from Oakland and Sacramento, that
1 sent General Dmond this order:
PASADENA Juy 8, 1S94-12 US r. N.
Major General W. Fl. Dfmond, San Francisco:
Exercise your best judgment as to number and
time Of your command In condition for work.
Do this without further orders. 1 will advise
Allen of this order.
b. 81. MARKHAM. Governor,
Again on the same day sent him these un-
limited orders:
PASADENA, July 3. 1894
Major General ". II. Dfmond, San Francisco:
Yours reached me at IL 80 NJ. The suggestion
to ascertain at once the condition of all troops in
that part of the State You should at once ascer-
tain what facilities Will be given for rransporta-
tion from the various points II called upon at all.
Your efforts must be made In such 3 manner as to
become effectual. Post me frequently as to the
situation together with any suggestion you deem
important. You should know the strength and
caliber OF your men better than
II. II. MARKHAM. Governor
PASADENA. July 8, 1s94-4:56 p. M
MaJor- General ". FL. Dfmond, San francisco
You Will send troops TO Sacramento, as per your
advieas to date. You Will exercise your best
Judgment as to number equipment and mode of
transportation. Advise General Allen and my
self of your movements. The larger the force the
surer the success. Wire Allen your plans at once
so that he may know what TO expect.
II. a. MARKHAM. Governor.
These orders gave him the power to com.
mand the entire force of the National Guard
This was done that he might be left untram
meled in every way and free to act as bis judg.
ment should dictate without awaiting permis
sion from me. TO impress upon him the
necessity OF acting firmly and imperatively ]
sent the following telegram:
PASADENA. July 9, 1894.
Major General w II. Dimond, Occidental Hotel
San Francisco: Your two dispatches received al
sos A. N. Owing to the condition of affairs al
over the country 1t 10 dificult to tell Just wha
should be done. 1t seems strange that the Genera