Middletown transcript., 1894-07-14
NEWS OF THE STRIKE.

A Memorable Week in Chicago and the
West-Presfdent Cleveland Acts.
The widespread railway strike continued
to be the most important and interesting
event this week. There were on Friday
and Saturday twelve thousand armed men
on the field, yet the strikers and mobs con-
tinued their depredations. Hundreds Of
cars, stations, signal towers. telegraph
Offices and other buildings were wrecked
and burned, and tracks torn up. In order
that the mails might be protected President
Cleveland ordered a force of troops to
Chicago, and against this Governor Alt
geld protested vigorously, that there was
very little trouble and that his men were
quite able to control it. Mr.. Cleveland re-
piled, that his action was in strict accord
ance with the Constitution. He then
ordered more troops to Chicago and the
vicinity, and directed still others to hold
themselves to march on two hours notice.
The mobs became utterly reckless. On
Friday two men were shot by detective
at Kensington, and on Saturday the troops,
who were protecting a force of men who
were handling what was left of the burned
cars were assaulted by the strikers. One
of the soldiers was shot, and then the order
to fire was given. About twenty-five per-
sons were seriously, if not mortally, in
jured. and many escaped with slight
wounds. On Sunday the seat of war was
transferred to Hammond, Ind. Here mob
violence rained supreme. At late hour on
Sunday night Mr.. Cleveland issued a
proclamation, in which he warned all law
abiding citizens to retire peaceably, and to
abide in their homes. He said that order
must be restored and the mails moved, and
for this purpose he intended to use every
means in his power. He said that those
mobs were regarded rs public enemies, and
must be treated as such. The effect of this
was most beneficial. Governor Matthews,
of Indiana, acted promptly when the out
break commenced at Hammond. He i'm
mediately sent a force of militia to the
place, and then offered arrangements with
Governor Altgeld, temporarily disregarding
the State line, in order that the combined
forces might establish peace. While the
greater part OF violence has taken place in
and around Chicago, large portion West
has been in difficulty from the same the
cause. The railroad officials have appealed
to the Federal forces for help. The freight
service of the Central, Western and South
western States has been practically sus
pended. few passenger trains have been
rnn, and the mail carried only through the |
protection of troops. OF course this con-
dtion of the railroads has affected the food |
supply Throughout the country. In New |
York at one time only two days supply of
advance in price.
On Tuesday Debs. President of the Amer |
lean Railway Union was arrested being IN
d.cted by the Federal Grand Jury; the |
charges were irciting to insurrection and |
Government troops have had the desired |
effect, and though business is still paralyzed
order and peace is once more restored.
The latest reports are that the back bone
Of the strike is broken. The fear that
strike would ensue has been dis
PEELED, and the great sympathetic strike
did not materialize. The N. Y.World says:
An empty treasury is bad foundation for
a strike. 1t is foolhardiness. not bravery
to throw up job out of sympathy with
L1I, /
ing striker put it, "only two weeks fIom
The poor hou Sc.
President Cleveland will appoint COM
mission to investigate the strike.