The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-05-03
IOWA'S DILEMMA.
What Shall She Do With Kelly'S
IndustrialiStS
Gen. Weaver Heads a Delegation
to the Governor,
ASKING FOR ACTION.
The Governor Suggests Paying
Fare to Davenport,
Thencekg chipping the Men by
BnZt TO Cincinnati.


DEs Mo1xEs, May s.-Kelly's army
was in desperate straits today. Hope of
securing a train except through the
governor was abandoned.
Starvation stared the men in the face,
and the demonstration of the laboring
people as last resort was not success
as to numbers The call issued to all
laboring men asking them to meet and
march to the capitol with the demand
that Governor Jackson secure a train,
brought unsatisfactory results When
the hour set for the march to the state
house arrived, only forty men were in
line, but on the way there were more
added. and about one hundred men
climbed the long flight of stairs and filed
into the governors reception room.
Gen. Weaver marched at the head
of the column and acted master of
ceremonies. Private Secretary Rinehard
greeted Weaver and informed the crowd
that the governor would appear shortly.
least violent as they stood about on the
velvet carpet
Gen. Weaver when Gov. Jackson ap-
peared began his address mildly assert
ing that his mission was a humane one.
He said he and his delegation were
there to make no complaint bat merely
wanted to know if there was any power
IN the executive to secure a train
for the army He said there was
not a laboring man in Des Moines who
would cOuntenance any violation of the
law, but that all were anxious to prevent
disbandment in Des Moines of the suf-
fering Industrial army.
Food Only Wanted
"All we want" Gen. Weaver said, sis
to feed these men-our brethren. Their
condition is not the result of their own
actions"
Vice President Van Horn of the trades
and labor assembly followed with the
statement that the labor organizations
feared disbandment of the army here
and asked that the men be hurried out
of the state. Their presence here would
glut the labor market, he said, and do.
great injury to Des Moines.
NJ. II. King, local labor leader, in a
short address asked that the governor in
unmistakable terms ask the railroad for
transportation, and Chairman Lowry of
the citizens committee, followed with a
similar appeal
Every effort ia secure food had been
exhausted, he said, and the men turned
to the governor in their extremity.
Governor Jackson replied that he had
given the matter the grayest cOnsidera-
tion. He referred to the events since
the army reached Council Bluffs, and
read letter he had written to President
Gable, of the Rock Island road. request
ing that official to furnish tram TO Dav-
would transport half of them if the St.
Paul road would carry the other half.
Later he said the offer of Gable was re-
called. He then read requests he had
made to all Iowa trunk lines and the re-
fusals from each road to carry the men
for less than full fare. In conclusion the
governor said:
The Executive Council to Consider
Il VIII lay this matter before the ex-
ecutive council of the state and see
what can be done. There is only
one hope and that is of securing suffi-
clent funds to carry these men to the
Mississippi unless Kelly will take route
down the river by way of Cincinnati. If
Mr. Kelly will take boat, if we can get
him to the river, have hopes that he
may be able to get them out of the state''
A local leader James Meredith became
anarchl5tic and demanded that the rail-
roads be compelled to furnish a train.
lie was promptly silenced by the dele
CATION end the men quietly walked away.
There was no excitement attending the
interview and the governors assurances
OF sympathy, not for Kelly but for Iowa
met with hearty applause.
The efforts OF Gov jackson will be
directed towards securing funds to paw
Tor transportation out of Des Moines
over the Des AIoines & Kansas CITY and
the heokuk q Eastern railroads to the
river and thence by boat to the Ohio.
which would make the plan feasible
Kelly was visited by a committee
which requested him to consent to such a
plan and it was thought probable that
he would accept, as he can probably Sc
cure boats up the Ohio which will carry
him well on his way to Washington.
Ready to Aecept Anything.
"A committee appointed to confer with
Kelly found the general In a mood to ac-
cept almost any proposition "If 1 am
furnished railroad transportation to the
Mississippi" he said, Il will accept it
gladly We can go down the river to the
Ohio and then up that stream towards
Washington"
Gov- jackson was informed of Kelly's
decision and efforts will be made to get
the men out Of Des Moines. MANY In
dustrials had only bread for breakfast
and only 200 pounds of meat was secured
for dinner, but the citizens COMMITTEES
hopes TO get sufficient food for tomorrow.
Henry Brown Of the army, attempted
suicide today BY gashing his throat He
Will recover He is thought to be insane.
COXEK