The morning call., 1894-07-23
EMPLOYERS ARE IMPATIENT.
Threats of Dismissal Spread
Gloom Over Camp.
OFFICERS SPEAK OF BoYCoTTs.
Men VIII Be Pr detected and Oppro-
brium Cast Upon Citizens Who
Discharge Them.

a VISlt0r 10 I0e DTlBnt anu DuSy camp OF
militia at West Oakland when music
floated over the tents and officers and
privates were occupied entertaining vIsi-
tors yesterday would never dream that
dark cloud hung above it. And yet such
is only too true fact. for beneath many
blue coat there bitter feeling ranked.
Many face wore troubled expression. be-
cause National Guardsmen are threatened
with dismissal from their positions for re-
N aiming away two weeks from business
The lack of patriotism or friendly
spirit toward the National Guard as shown
by large number of men who employ the
amateur soldiers has aroused a strong
prejudice in camp. It began to appear
early last week. and grew in proportions
daily, until now it really looks as if the
whole militia may be without employment
if camps are not broken Immediately.
Guardsmen declare it is 10 ost disgrace
full exhibition of selfishnesS and danger
ously unpatriOtic.
But all this is only an expression of
sentiment. 1t does not remove the ban
received curt notice that nothing but
prompt return to their respective voca-
tions can avoid absolute dismissal.
There is one ray Of hope left for the
threatened militiamen in movement
started yesterday by staff and brigade off,
GERS which promises 10 make itself felt.
Colonel Smedberg, in conversation with
Lieuten ant Colonel Geary. stated with
| considerable warmth and determination,
that list of employers who discharge
members of the National Guard on &C
| count Of service now given the State will
be kept and combine will be made In
every conceivable way against such IN
| krIg, in In ia hat 81
| A. r. U. medicine will be applied where
| needed, or. in other words, that boyc0ttiBg
| will be done.
There are various ways in which the
militia can resent dismissal, which they
consider an open afrOnt. Politics and
business boycotting, they say, will be COM
| bined, and besides. the opprobrium which
would follow an act of summary dismissal
may materially injure an employers pros
| pects
Colonel Smedberg was excited about the
subject.
ut is an Internal outrage" said he,
''that any Of these men should be dis
charged There is no law in California
| to punish the person guilty Of such
mean act. The commander has received
discourteous letters from employers in
| San Francisco stating that employees at
| present in camp must return TO work at
once or suffer dismissal Those men think
that this is picnic and that the EN- Dloyes'
| service here can be dispensed with. But
in this thew are mistaken. Il is ali hard
| work here, doing sentry and guard duty,
| guarding trains up and down the railroad,
protecting property and preserving the
| peace
| 'If any of the men lose their positions
| because of this strike they will be provided
with as good. If not better. places and we
| intend that they shall not suffer.
st is just like the spirit that showed it.
| self In 81 when young men shOuldered
| their muskets and marched away to fight
| for the country.
Even the employers complained. But
what would become Of them if these young
| fellows had not been patriotic enough to
| leave home and position for the union?
What would the employers have then
| Why is it the very people who are CON-
| planning now and threatening to dismiss
their National Guard employees that have
received most benefit from this enforced
absence from business. The blockade
| was absolute until we came here on July
3. The first day after we struck camp
fifteen engines were running, and now the
whole system is open for freight ana pas
senger traffic. But for the militia in Oak.
land this would have been impossible and
freight and mail matter would still he tied
up and the employers in San Francisco
could do no business. These men ought
to remember the benefit they got from
opening up the railways. OF course it is
distressing to some employers, but still a
sacrifice should be made on an occasion
like this"
Colonel Geary said he was sorry there
was no law on the matter in California,
and expressed the opinion that there
should be some law to protect the men.
IF the State calls out men to protect
State property and maintain the peace and
dignity of California" said he, 1T would
be disgrace to throw them out of en-
poyment. firmly believe they ought to
have some kind of protection.
Colonel Castle told me to-day he want
ed to have all cases of dismissal reported
by the men to him, and he will have il
advertised far and near He is an inf1u-
entail man, and has many more influ-
entail men behind him. If man loses
his position they will see that he gets
good place"
The letters received by commanders
kept secret, but the advisability of having
them published is now under c0nsders-
ton.
Lieutenant McIver, Seventh Infantry,
u. S. A., appointed from Washington to
inspect the State militia. made an exami-
nation of the camp over which Colonel
Geary presides. He stated that he was
very we'll pleased with the camp. which
compared favorably with the best regular
camps. Colonel A. d. Cutler, division in
spector, n. G. c., also made an inspection
and reviewed the troops. He was also
we'll pleased, and complimented the CON-
mander on the health of the men and ar
rangemsnts for messes. hospital, ventila-
tion, policing, etc. There were no Chinese
lanterns, but the camp looked like bust
ness and the soldiers like veterans.