The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-02-21
IN CLASSIC BOSTON.
FIVE THOUSAND UNEMPLOYED
HOLD \ RIOTOUs MEETING.
They Demand Immediate Aid From
the Legislature, which Refuses to
Entertain Their Petftion-Threats
to Clean Out the State House.

Boston, Feb. 2O-Five thousand un-
employed made a demonstration on the
common this afternoon, which
threatened a riot.
In an ugly mood, they crowded into
the state house and the adjoining
ground, and demanded immediate aid
The governor addressed them from
the state house, and was received with
applause, though he made no promise.
An attempt was then made by the
leader to get a petition before the
legislature, then in session.
A large force of police have been
called out to guard against trouble.
The leaders tried to get into the
Legislative hall to present their griev-
lance, while the crowd remained out
side.
NJ. l. Swift, anarchist and spokes-
man of the mob, appeared at the bal
cony and announced that the legisla-
ture refused to accept the petition.
The crowd broke into yells Of derision,
and contempt
Then Swift launched into a TRADE of
abuse of the legislature. His threat
to clear out the state house was re-
ceived by shouts of appreciation
A large number of policemen soon
gathered on the scene, and Swift was
forced to stop his talk, and matters
quoted down
The agitators then had to be satisfied
with a talk with some of the individ-
ual members and that quieted them
some.
Meanwhile, the house of representa-
tives had remained in session, and upon
the advice of some Of the luggheaded
members, it considered the petition
from the mob 1t was decided to ap-
point a committee OF seven to meet the
representatives of the unemployed to
consider ways and means for relief.
Speaker Meyers sent a message to
the crowd, apprizing them of this de-
cision, and it appeased them greatly
A special detachment of police ar
rived at the side entrance of the state
house. They entered and began fore
ing the mob slowly towards the big
front door. Clubs were drawn and the
disgruntled crowd gave way.
Then there was an uproar, and
many desperate members urged an at
tack upon the legislature; but those
more sensible prevailed and the crowd
slowly reiterated.
The police forced them steadily back,
but just outside the gate the disap-
pointed workmen refused to move fur
ther
Finally, the captains of the various
police divisions held a hurried consul
tation, and decided to drive them still
further back.
The crowd slowly retreated across
Beacon street, and finally halted in
the common. No attempt was made
to take another stand and the men
slowly disbanded
The incidents preceding the outbreak
in the rotunda were rathert ominous.
The crowd assembled on the common
early in the afternoon to the number
of 5000 which soon SWelled to 5000 A
couple of hours were occupied by half
a dozen speakers, all local labor lead
ers-and then the crowd adjourned to
the state house.
a committee was appointed to see
Governor Greenhalge and present to
him a petition asking him to forrnu-
late and put into operation some plan
to alleviate the suffering. They also
asked for a state farm and factories
where the unemployed might work,
and to appoint permanent commits
sion to attend to the wants of the per
manent class of unemployed. His ex-
cellency read the petition and then
went out and addressed the assem-
bled crowd. He expressed sympathy
for them and told them just what he
could and would not do for them. His
talk gave them no satisfaction Some
Missed, but a majority applauded his
REMARKS.
The petition to the legislature. after
reciting the troubles, asked the state
to commence operations upon the pro-
posed Cape Cod canal; to establish the
commission mentioned and to provide
for state farms and factories
When informed Of the legislatures
action, Leader Swift, of the unem-
ployed, withdrew from the state house
and announced the result to the un-
employed. No comments were made
and the crowd quietly dispersed.
Rumors that there was riot and
pitched battle between the police and
the unemployed at the state house
filled the air and thousands of people
hurried to the scene.
The demonstration was complete
surprise. 1t was not expected the un-
employed would gather in such num-
bers. and from the few that were look
ed for to call upon the governor this
afternoon, no such socialistic spirit
was expected. The force of police at
the scene was small, or the disturb
ance would have ended much sooner.