The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-08-28
IT'S WORK GOOD.
SO General Dimond Says
of the Militia.
A REVIEW OF THE STRIKE.
He Gives Details About the Sac
ranento Affair.
A REVIEW OF THE STRIKE
BLUNDERs THAT WERE MADE.
Officers CompIimented for Their De-
cisive Action in Their Respect
i've Divisions.

~ i0Sb VIC WA kinSo Va suO ElOdt
railroad strike in this State as far as the
militia was concerned in it have come to
light in a report that has bean prepared by
Major-General Dimond and submitted to
Governor Markham. All the secrets of
the movements of the troops and the mys-
teries that surrounded orders which were
guarded so carefully whleIthe determined
members of the A. r. U. were arrayed in
stolid masses against what they consid-
cred gross railroad oppression have been
revealed.
The report is volumlnous, consisting of
thirty-seven close typewriter pages. and
deals with all the minute details of every
movement made by the State troops, and
the manner in which such movements
were brought about. 1t shows that if
there were no wheels moving on the rail-
road lines to carry mail matter the tele-
graph service was kept busy transmitting
orders, queries and suggestions between
those who had the direction of affairs in
their hands. In fact, the wires were at
times kept redhot, as it were, with the
multiplicity of messages. The campaign
was largely conducted by telegraph.
The first move made by General Dimond
was on the 30th OF June, when, realizing
the gravity of the situation at the railroad
centers-Los Angeles, Oakland and Sacra-
meDt0-he telegUaphed to Adjutant-Gen-
eral G. {. Allen at Sacramento that he
would establish headquarters at the Occi-
denial Hotel In San Francisco until the
troubles were settled. He also asked Gen
eral Allen to issue orders through him
when possible and authorize General
Dickinson to procure ammunition.
On July 2 he again telegraphed General
Allen suggesting that he secure 1000
Springfield rifles from the Bencia arsenal
through the United States War Depart
ment, and, further, suggested that in case
of military demonstration being made at
Sacramento OverpOweTing forces be used
as during tie riots in Pennsylvania and
New York. On the following day a tele-
gram was sent 10 Governor Markham at
Pasadena urging the Importance of max
ing a demonstration in large force, and
asked that one OF more of the San Fran
cisco regiments be ordered TO hold itself in
readiness TO proceed to Sacramento or
elsewhere when required.
July was busy day IN telegraphing to
General Allen at Sacramento inauirng the
necessity for Immediate and prompt ac-
ton, and exchanging suggestions as TO the
best methods OF handling the troops at
the capital. The First and Third regi-
ments were ordered TO Sacramento, and
the advisability of declaring martial law
at Sacramento was considered.
General Dimond WAS little bit anxious
about tho reliability of the troops. but was
assured by the respective commanders that
the men could be depended upon.
In regard to the much-critlciZed failure
| to provide the troops with two days ra-
lions, General DimOnd says he called Gen.
eral DickinSOn's attention to 1t, but for
some reason the colonies of the regiments
did not carry the idea out. How the troops
were gotten together is described in de-
tail, and also the manner in which
fhav want tn tha canital fHhpro VIVA
hitch on their arrival at Sacramento
which General DimOnd does not want to
take the responsibility for. He wanted to
run the train as close to the depot as pos
sible, disembark the troops and march i'm
mediately into the depot. Instead, the
troops were landed elsewhere and had in
siructions TO march TO the armory at Sixth
and l. streets, where General Allen had
ordered breakfast prepared. As yet, Gen
eral Dimond says be has been unable to
place the responsibility for this serious
and fatal mistake. AT that time the track
was clear to Sixth street, and no OppOsi-
ton would have been met with from the
strikers. 1t was General Aliens idea that
il WAS best to breakfast first, as be did not
think there would be any opposition from
the strikers. Relying upon these reports,
General DimOnd says ne wired the Gov
ernor that 1t would be lnadvsable to de-
clare martial law.
After a conference with the other off,
GERS General Dimond acqulesced in the
proposition to allow General Sheehan 10
have the right of line by seniority of rank.
General Sheehan said he was sure of the
reliability of his Sacramento troops. ex-
cept Company A, which had declared it
would not fire on its friends. This COM
pany was ordered to remain in the
armory, il being deemed best not to dis
arm them at that time.
The report then goes on to describe in
detail the various movements OF the troops
and the incidents that occurred with the
mob at the depot. He refers to receiving
from Marshal Baldwin the order to fire
upon the crowds assem- bled at the railroad
depot grounds and on bridges in order TO
clear the same of unlawful riotous assem-
blages.
Before giving this order Marshal Bald
win insisted that The command of the
troops be given to him. and also before
using the order that force oil soldiers be
sent to guard the bridges on the Sacra-
mento and American rivers. 1t was
Marshal Baldwin that wavered finally
about carving the order out. He first in
sisted ON its being obeyed, and then after
a parey with the strikers gave orders that
nothing offensive be done until O'Clock.
Later the Stockton troops deserted and
also portion of the Third Regiment. The
troops generally were demora lied by the
heat and hunger. -@esSa
Alt6I WdIQ upOU LcCClPb VI u0WS IRON
Oakland, General Dimond ordered the San
Rafael, Santa Rosa and Petaiuma COM
panies to Oakland to ouell disturbances
there.
Soon after General Dimond returned to
his San Francisco headquarters and made
ARRANGEMENTS with General Ruger,
Z. s. A, for having the regular troops
participate in the movements against the
strikers. Reports from Sacramento now
were to the effect that the National Guard
troops were in splendid condition and
ready for service. The troubles at Oak
land. Bakersfield, San Jose and other in
terror points are also touched upon, but
there is nothing concerning them that is
not already known.
In conclusion General Dimond says that
he cheerfully accepts the responsibility
for the management of the campaign re-
sulting from the strike. but does not want
to be held responsible for occurrences due
to matters beyond his control or based
upon information and advice given him
by officers.
BE calls Governor Markham's attention
to the following mistakes:
First-The failure of the San Francisco troops
10 carry rations as directed in his telegram by
the Acknowledgement and positively ordered by
the division commander.
Second-This was due in large measure to
the fact that troops OF the National Guard were
not furnished with proper equipments for car.
rying TatlOns, they having no haVersacks or
canteens. he responsibility for this cannot
rest upon the division commander, for the last
Legislature passed law (see section 1929