The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-02-21
THE POLICE CALLED UPON
To Drive Angry Unemployed
from Bay States Capitol.
Causes the Governor TO Show Signs of
Anger-He Boldly Faced the Mob,
Upbraided the Leaders and Checked
Their Incendiary Utterances.

BosToN. ft0. 2i.--About 1900 men as
sembled on the Common yesterday under
the auspices Of the association for the
unemployed and listened 10 semi-an-
archistic speeches made by Morrison l.
Swift and Herbert N. Casson. Under the
influence and II sry ardor OF the speeches
the crowd. headed by the two speakers,
marched to the state house, where these
self-apponted leaders interviewed Gov
ernor Greenhalge, while the crowd re-
mained outside. They demanded that
work should be given TO the men they
represented.
The governor signifed his willingness
TO do all in his power 10 help the unem-
ployed. and he had no doubt the legisla-
ture would do the same. Upon the invi-
tation of the delegation the governor adj
dressed the crowd. He told them that
personally he would do all he could and
that he would recommend action by the
legislature. He pointed out that the
general court had no power TO give work
to the unemployed exceptit had money TO
pay them and that such work must be for
the public good. The governor insisted
that the first duty Of every citizen was
obedience TO the laws.
This speech did not meet with the ap-
prevail Of the crowd, and they surged into
the state house to present TO the legisla'
ture petition, but which was couched in
the terms OF demand The petition
stated how the unemployed have starved
for months with patience after making
many appeals for employment, which the
city and state were alone competent TO
furnish, and should have supplied In the
beginning. They ask the legislature to
provide farms and factories where the un
employed at all times may work to sup
ply their own wants. This petition was
presented to the Legislature by Represen-
tative Mellen.
Swift Backs Down.
On their return the mob assembled in
Doric hall, where Swift made an incen-
diary speech, in which he threatened that
il the petition was unheeded they woeld
clear the state house.
Governor Greenhalge met Swift and
Casson directly after this speech, and in
plain language told Swift that his speech
was grossly obnoxious and improper
Swift saw that the governor was angry,
and immediately tried to crawl by say
ing that he meant ito clean them out 10y
ballots" and apologized and denied that
he had made utterance of such words.
AT the close of this incident the mem.
bers of the state police and so Boston
policemen were called upon the scene.
After consultation with the governor
the order was given TO clear the s.ate
house. The crowd was defiant, and shouts
went up of xiii the police" and Down
with capital" The sight of the clubs in
the hands of strong men, however, soon
tended to disperse the Kissing and yelling
mob.
1t is said that only in few instances
had the police to use force.
Swift was seen last night by a reporter,
and denied having made the statement
accredited to him, but afterward qualified
1t by saying: IF / did say it. ! meant by
the ballot. am not displeased with the
outcome; this is the first of a series OF
meetings which will be held until the un-
employed get work"
What the Governor Thinks of It.
In answer to aquery of reporter as &c
What he thought of the demonstration