The morning call., 1894-07-07
WROTE AN ORDER TO FIRE.
MILITlAMEN HIGHLY INDIGNANT.
San Francisco Boys Resent the Inn
putatiOn That Their Conduct
Has Been UnsoIdieriy.

SACRAMENTO. July 6.-The Southern
Pacific Railroad depot down near the river
has not been cleared yet Since yesterday
there has been utter stagnation here. as
far as the strike and the strikers visible
operations are concerned. Down at the
railroad yards unemployed trainmen ara
in possession aud hold the place quietly,
and so far without any kind of further in
reference from the military authorities.
Over where the capitol looms up majest-
cally over the fowered park militiamen
are encamped and are enjoying themselves
as best they can within the small area in
side the sentry lines. General Sheehan,
who has command of the military forces,
has ordered that the soldiery be required
to remain at their quarters and he awaits
the pleasure OF the United States Marshal
in the matter of proceeding against the
strikers. Barry Baldwin Is the directing
power of the situation. No man but he
knows what is going to happen, and il
Baldwin tells half OF what he knows he is
not altogether Ger tain himself about things
liable 10 happen.
For two days there has been quiet in the
town. Neither soldiers nor strikers have
asserted themselves in any manner. There
has been a deal of thinking and talking
going on in both camps, but more than
that nothing. At the railroad-yards MEM
bers of the American Railway Union
stand about and discuss and conjecture.
At the Capitol grounds camp National
Guardsmen stand about and discuss ana
conjecture, too. In town every one talks
of the strike Clever critics are at every
table In the restaurants, and labor leaders
expound the results of their superior in
teligence at every damDening-up place.
All kinds of theories are let loose, and
possibly more kinds of solutions of the
problem are advanced.
So completely has the reality of affairs
come upon the people here that persons
who talk of ordinary torics are lacking
woefulIy in listeners. You must talk of
railroads and strikes and things if you
would venture to do any enlighteDing up
this way. The affair begins 10 become
serious from the very dearth of develop
ments. News from the Eastern cities is
generally sought for, and crowds fire.
quently gather at the telegraph offices in
quest of veriication of the widest kind of
rumors.
There is only one style of summing up
the situation. The present stagnation
means some thing. The something cannot
come. because the troops to bring matters
to the desired shape are not available.
True. the militia are here, but the militia
have already failed after sufficient trial to
prove themselves equal to the occasion,
and it is little likely that they will be
tried again unless in cooperation with
regular army men. This is plainly the
point and purpose OF the delay existing
now.
Elm the failure of the militia to accom-
plish what was required of them. Baldwin
has been left without troops to effect his
purpose. Another attempt with the
militia now here 10 clear and take possess
sion of the railroad property would be
suicidal. The strikers have sized up the
militia in the town, and while some portion
of it is worth something. there is not
enough Of this worthy portion to create
any fears among the striking trainmen.
Baldwin is evidently waiting for the ar
rival of Federal troops, and doubtless
hoping, as is everyone else, that before
they arrive the great strike may be ami
cably ended.
Although Baldwin claims to know moth
ing about such possible aid or the
very probable advent of United States
soldiers. the general aspect of the situation
makes it plain that he can never accom-
plish his purpose without them unless the
strike is declared off
There can be no uncertainty about the
truth of the statement that the strikers
will not act on the offensive. The men
are ably handled by Knox and others in
power among them, and they have dis
played commendabIe adherence to the
counsel of the knowing chiefs. The strik-
ers are waiting for the militia ani the
militia is waiting for Baldwin; but Bald
win is in ticklish position, without much
difference in the kind of disagreeable ways
TO get out of It,
The general opinion here is that Sacra-
mento is doomed to a more serious dis
turbance than any city in the State; but
all things seem somewhat tame here, and
the streets are bright with colors remain
ing from the Fourth of July celebration
and the girls are gay in the whitest kind
of dresses. AS far as appearances go, no
stranger in the city would ever imagine
that the place is nearly under martial law
and that riot is i'm pending.
Reveile sounded at the camp on the