Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-19
MONSTER PARADE
At London in Favor Of En-
pIoyer's Liability Bill.
Poverty Of the Workingmen Shown
by Thousands in the Line.


LONDON, March l8.-The trades union
ists' demonstration in favor of the employ
ers' liability bill and against the House Of
Lords was in progress all the afternoon.
and transformed London, between the
Thames embankment and the further side
of Hyde Park, into an indescribable bed
lam. The whole district was filed with
workingmen, paupers, brass bands, proces-
sions, banners and truckloads of spectA-
tors.
The sun was obscured by mist, the
air was raw, it was unusually dirty
under foot, but before IL crowds
from the east and north quarters
began gathering at the embankment and
along the proposed route of the procession.
From the north district came the scum of
all London. The men were but half clad.
Women came with babes in their arms ard
small children clipging to their skirts.
Family parties camped in little open
spaces or doorwsys and consumed fruit or
nuts or hot potatoes. Despite their pitiable
poverty, the crowds indulged in much horse
play, dancing and general picnicking.
The main procession formed on the EN-
bankment shortly before noon. Thousands
took places in the line and thousands more
marched beside the regular parade or
walked in the rear. Mounted marshals led
the line. Behind them came the unions
and societies marching four, eight or ten
abreast. Many women walked with their
husbands. some leading little boys by the
hand and many more filled vans and brakes
which occupied the parades from embank-
ment to park.
The rows of men in the procession were
huddled together and marched with excep-
H. sAI Ax~r<
hours to pass given point. There were
400 banners in the procession. representing
all trades. Vulcsns, Nrptunes, blindfold
justices, brooms, rods and little cOftins
were borne sloft on platforms or displayed
from the tai boards of the carts.
One truck carried coffin draped
with the Union Jack, surmounted
with the sign, 1.-The veto coffin
Of the House of Lords" Before and
after the truck came groups of signs such
as "Down with the Lords" "No Her. di-
tary Law Makers" 1.-THE Lords Threw Out
tie Employers Liability Bill; Let Us
Throw Them Out"
Tne most troublesome part Of the process
sion was the bands, there being more than
100 in line. and each insisted upon march
ing in front of certsin unions. Some time
four were playing within 200 feet of each
other, and raising such discordant din as
to confuse those in the parade and elicit
jeers from the spectators.
In several cases the rival bands fell in
side by side. Some came to blows, but
most of them fought out the contest by
playing bass drums and trombones with all
the furor they could muster. The crowds
along the route were good natured and ap-
nlaudpd and chpered the conteetauta This
bedlam lasted from noon until . o'clock,
when those who had not gone to the park
returned to their homes.
The meetings in the park were attended
by tens of thousands. There were IL plat
forms and more than 100 speakers. The
most notable addresses were made by Ben
Tillett, the Dockers' friend. John Burns,
Labor M. p. Joseph Arch. Liberal M. p,
James Rowlands, Radical M. p, Michael
Austin, anti -ParneIlite M. p, Samuel
Woods, Miners M. r., Charles Fenwick,
Miners M. p, and William Cremer, Rad
ical reform M. p.
All the speakers were interrupted repeat
edly with cheers. At every stand the au-
dience adopted . resolution condemning the
amendments introduced by the peers into
the employer liability act, demanding that
the government take steps TO prevent the
peers from opposing successfully the will
Of the people.
The park looked like . great picnic
ground during the meetings. The grass
was strewn with scraps Of food, bundles Of
paper and broken lunch baskets. A few
well dressed persons were seen, but the
walks and drives were virtually abandoned !,
by all outside the working classes.