The morning call., 1894-10-19
LET OFF EASILY.
Ruger on the California
Militia.
HOW THE STRIKE ENDED.
Trouble Saved by the Presence
of Troops.
HAD BECOME AN INsURRECTlON.
But for the Regulars the Event
Might Have Been Very
Different.

WASHINGTON. Oct. 1S.-The annual re-
port of Brigadier-General Ruger, COM
manding the Department of California,
made public to-day, is devoted largely to
the recitals of the stirring events of the
great strike. After describing the condi-
tion of affairs at Los Angeles and the dis
patch of Colonel Skaters troops to that
place. the report goes on: The result of
the presence of troops was that the mail
train service was soon resumed to the East
and later to San Francisco The trains
we're guarded by troops from the 7th until
the 18th of July, when they were discon.
tinued. With the exception Of the over
turning by the strikers on July 10 of some
cars on the railroad crossing to interrupt
the running OF trains. no overt act was
committed during the strike; but there is
sufficient evidence for the belief that the
strikers would have resorted, in the ab-
sence of military force. to any degree of
violence to prevent the operation of the
railroads operating at this point, except
upon terms dictated by themselves"
General Ruger touches lightly upon the
conduct of the militia at Sacramento in
these words: July force of State
troops in California. composed of two regi-
nents and part of another, were assem-
bled at Sacramento upon a request made
for their assistance. as il might be neces-
sary in the resumption of the operatiOn Of
the railroads for the carriage of the mails
and for the purposes of interstate CON-
merce. For reasons, and owing to facts
which it Is not within the purpose of this
report to state, the object was not accom-
plished."
Regarding the wreck Of the train carry
ing troops from Sacramento to San Fran
cisco July II and the killing of four SOL
diers, the report says: "There is no doubt
that the murder Of the four soldiers and
The engineer was the act of strikers. who
left Sacramento before the train started,
and also there is little doubt that 1t was
known beforehand to a considerable num-
Der of the other strikers that the track had
been tlmpered with for the purpose of de-
railing the train. The place selected for
the throwing of the train from the track
was at a trestle crossing water and ap-
preached by narrow causeway. That
loss to life would occur In case the train
was thrown from the track was almost in
evitable. Proceedings are pending in the
courts against the men charged with the
murder by the wrecklDg OF the train."
General Ruger pays high compliment
to the naval forces landed at Oakland,
saying they were of essential assistance.
Great praise is also accorded Colonel
Shafter and his command and Colonel
Graham and his troops at Sacramento.
General Ruger says: "At Sacramento
the phase of the trouble upon the arrival
of the troops had passed the limits implied
by the word Strike The acts, manner of
procedure and intent. as evidenced thereby
OF those engaged, were distlnctively insur-
rectionary. Except for the action of The
troops the disorder would have been pro-
longed and in all probability would not
have ended without serious bloodshed and
after the destruction of much property"
Attached to the report of General Ruger
are reports from Colonels Shafter and
Graham and Commander Reeder. depict
ing in great detail the most iuterest ting
phases Of the struggle.