New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-08-14
LABOR TROUBLES AND THE MILITIA.
hAihiElh>CE AT PITTsBURG WITH CITIZEN SOL
DiERf IN QUELLING RIoTs-THE NEGRO AS
AN ELEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

DlERf IN QUELLING RIoTs-THE NEGRO AS
AN ELEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Pittsburg Aug. 10 (speciaD-Two important ques.
tions are the relations Of the labor unions to the
militia and 10 the negro. This city. In proportion
TO lis population is probably the greatest labor
centre IN America. and is a good field in which 10
study these two questions. The negro Is debarred
from membership in the unions and is being ut
lied by the thousands to break the strike In the
Connellsvlt coke regions.
During the recent coal miners and railroad
strikes there was much speculation as to the con-
Duct OF milItiamen IT. Of the necessity for
prompt action on their part and the relative values
OF the militia OF several States was clearly deter
mined The two Pitts5urg regiments have seen
more labor riot service than any other military or
CARNATIONS in the United States not excepting the
regular Army. which. since the Rebellion. has had
Its time occupied with Indian wars. Then Pitsburg
is good point from which study the negro prob
lem because the first Of their 20 be brough;
from the South came here in charge Of agents NJ
teen wars ago 20 break strike AT the Black Dia-
still here.
The records Of the 18th and 18th Regiments OF
his city, which form the Second Brigade Of the
Pennsylvania National Guard enviaOe COM
pared with the OF the militia Of several
Western States The only possible chance OF CEN
sure is their experience in the Pittsburg railroad
riots Of 1877, when thirty people were killed. the
greatest number yet slaughtered in one day in
any American labor dispute. But the regiments
We're completely reCrganzed after the riots Of lS.
1t disappointing to lovers OF order who look
upon the militia as safeguard against anarchy. to
read that California company during the 'Debs
rebellion" threw down their arms and Joined the
strikes; that company, composed OF Ohio boys.
surrounded and disarmeG by striking miners.
who laughed and jee.ed at the discontinue OF thr
young soldiers and that the only thing that restored
order at Hammond. Ind. was the departure Of the
regulars who had done some shooting. ana the
arrival OF the militia with whom the law breaker-
fraternizei /; a dangerous and uncaed FOR
expression Of extreme fr.endliness at such time.
1t was reflection on the Indiana miltiaineh as
well
There have been more labor riots In the vicinity
Of Pittsburg when one includes the adjacent Con
nellsve coke region, than IN any other locality In
this country ny 70 the time OF the Homestead
trouble and for some time afterward. There has
been no blood shed hereabouis since the memorable
July b Homestead. except at the Sickle Hollow
mine a few weeks ago. WHEN half-a-dozen strikers
were shot dead by deputies
During the strike OF 1877 men Of the IIttsburs
regiments were much in sympathy with the rail
roaders and were practically valueess for the pur
pose OF preserving order. Desertions were oehoer-
ana 10y the wholesale, and finally, II VIII he re-
called. the Philadelphia troops were sent for They
fired on the mob. were Imprisoned In roundhouse.
and on the next Sunday morning fought their way
through the streets 10 the city line harassed py
sharpshooters from windows and housetops. and
finally found haven OF rest behind the Walls OF
the Allegheny County Workhouse.
Then a erea, change Of popular sentiment. awed
by the destruction OF tv0oo worth OF property dor
which the taxpayers are SIN paying, and tho ar
rival of regular soldiers. put an end to the law
lessness.
During several seasons o. service IL the Conn-iis-
VIII. coke region. the dark and bloody ground %
Pennsylvania the militia have restored or4er with
out the slightest hesitancy. The great coke strike
.xf.. .fs.v Nh f.F "A
Norwood. when Captain l-oars comIany o. i.h-
tia shot and killed tWenty-one ftunsafihiis VINO
returning from night mass meeting 4heSr
same foreigners In the coke regions are noS arms
ana drilling. and have adopted 1eheiaI S'eItt1s
eompahes' piofnlsh,gI ,,civ 80, tosrd inct rr
Gently. Air Hayes authority for the siais meit
evervv,here throushoai Eastern Nebraska.
Al Homestead two OF the rural regiments re-
ralned on duty during the entire s,rlke OF lh.ee
months and their members ~ere un4eistool 10y ~
reporters as having a greater desire 70 shoot than TO
regiment which was nlthdI~~l AZ a.. N ~ifn
the great body OF troops rom Honi.S'ra,, "a, Mo
posed almost entirely Of anthracite Goa! il4h'i. W.
had never before been west OF tne ssrienS Eel
Ing for those striking steel workers, who mace
W nSs G ,peN vert Wei on Outside the OF
Private LAM who VIZ -. sim, ,. wo Gi ~ assassin OF
n ,.rI1reS Unset unsriendly 10 the Of law
si- oeC r|aT H. RESIDED in small town. ana ms
fr~ouent remark thnt h would present his muske
c 20 iedi from his commanding officers. 49,.
In the Two P,ttsburg regiments me ~ra''r a. a.
CONT - the Homestead affair. and be vas mNs-
clan and a non-conl ba ;ant o,,, n, .helr
ron neciion Win the National Guard. wear IN" plaln
g.. mn form among a.! American Ul+itlhWrN an =.
ac. counterpart o: the regular infantry sum -
President ei inaugurat!Ons at dsh.HsIoh ar az
,ial,deS foT thelr great resemblance . Uncle Shn
sodlers They were just a. gager ior a 80, AN =.
Chicago during the late railroad rlots az my a., a.
,n-day IN their preparations for tn STATE Lh,,ih,
,nent AZ Gettysburg beginning Angus w. -.
NJ a
fate which met several menbeis OF lhe ~.
regiments when they ~en' 10 49, !, being the
Wa-vIand mItla's first call 10 arms since me ran
Tier Is nothing exclusively social about ne Penn
svvanla militia regiments, unlike indeperdent mil
C3S,lngen. n OF Pittsburg. which next month joins
Contingent a, OF Ph"aoe'pn'a' ''' '"
Tse negro ha wing been put under the ban OF The
ale The lob OF the white man and ne can hhIIuy
be- blamed He is shut out Of the r, nunIo.nf
trades A nrs-class negro painter from f'lcg no
Va came 10 PIttsburg and secured work SevsiH
sets OF employers were comPeIIeI 10 1,Spg y,",k
hs services rather than oiienf th.t , XIV" ,b megro
men, r,a vi desire 10 Join Following tn PARK
Brotheis experiment. southern negroes VIZ en0uxt
Burg iron works. The Carnegie Steel Comp1hR!
idsrkies' soon Tired OF the hard work ana intense
heat Of the furnaces and went ,i hone Ihefe was
rdward Everett Hale while recently pass!hH
through Plttsburg advanced he theory maj III ~
negro lies The solution Of the labor problem ~ ime
region evidently agree win Inc irDers ere com
FOR at some plants the srits io ~ ,h4 negro@s
who handle revolver ana razor IN delian, mailii
and on OF three occasions ia,e % n,ssed by
on the public road the way 70 mass meetings