The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-13
new ORLEANS.
The City Paralyzed by the
Labor Mobs.
Foreign Consuls Hold Meeting to
Arrange Statement.
Governor Foster Has Ordered the State
Troops to the Armories.

NEW ORLEANS, March 13.-At a meet
ing Of the council last night, Governor
Foster said that The State troops had been
ordered to report at the armories at 8
o'clock in the morning in case of emer-
gency.
After further debate, the following ad-
dresses were adopted:
To the people Of New Orleans: The acts
OF lawless violence that have been
| witnessed on the levee front during
the past as hours, coming on the
heels of events covering many months
which have seriously injured the fair
name of this city throughout the world,
call for expression on the part of the mer
| chants OF New Orleans. We have patiently
witnessed, as in trance, outrages from
frenzied labor which will cost tho city and
| State many hundred thousands of dollars.
With our business drifting from us, born
| of labor troubles, Of Interruptions, we have
| quietly stood by, hoping against hope that
we could by moral suasion and fair offers
bring about an amicable solution.
Every effort in this direction has failed,
and we find that mistaking our for bear
ance for fear, an armed mob has taken
possession of our wharves and landings,
determined TO uphold minority who in
sst that the mere hAnts of New Orleans
shall give the conduct of their business
TO them. 1t is not question OF wages or
compensation, but simply and sole
ly one whether the merchants
of New Orleans shall conduct
their own business in their own way or
whether they shall be dictated to by a
handful of employees. We say handful,
as the men who insist on running our
business methods are 1000 Of 500 900 male
adults OF this city. Two thousand insist
that the means Of subsistence of $4,000
and their families shall be stopped unless
they are allowed to dictate. 1t is useless
TO enter into the details. The facts are
too we'll known to every man, woman aud
child.
The foreign consuls stationed in this
city held a meeting to arrange a state
ment of the condition of affairs which
they forwarded to the representatives of
their governments at Washington. The
British consul received instructions from
the British Ambassador at Washington of
the shooting OF the purser OF the
Engineer.
The bureau of freight and transporta-
tion held special meeting to discuss the
troubles and decided, the local
authorities having failed to take steps to
repress the lawlessness, to send delegates
to general meeting to take the necessary
steps to protect commerce and the lives
and property of citizens. The response
to the call was unanimous.
The meeting opened in the Office OF the
treasury of transportation and lasted
until nearly midnight. During the first
session the debate was heated and finally
resulted IN the adoption OF a resolution
appealing to federal authorities for pro-
lection and requesting the President OF
the United States to intervene in the in
terest of both law aud order, the Govern
mont of the State and the local authori-
ties having unanimously failed to meet
the situation and preserve quiet.
The bodies represented in the meet
ing are Louisiana Sugar and Rice Ex-
change, Maritime Association, Tropical
Freight Importers, Board of Trade, Cot
ton Exchange, Mechanics, Dealers OF
Lumbermen's Exchange, Wholesale Gro
GERS Association, Clearing Association,
Stock Exchange, Chan Der OF Commerce
and Industry, Auctioneers Exchange and
and Underwriters Insurance Bureau.
Later the resolution to appeal to the
President was rescnded
We say to those men that tho COM
merce of this city shall be protected, cost
what it may. And that every honest man
who performs his daily labor shall and
will be protected.
We are willing 60 meet them amicably
if they will return TO peaceful methods
and accept work, according TO all men
equal rights. II not they must stand
aside and let Others work who will. The
Governor asked for time to consult with
his staff OF advisers to form a plan Of
action.
The meeting adjourned after appoint
ing committee to wait on the Governor
and learn his desires. Up to o'clock this
morning no disturbances had been re-
ported Most of the troops quartered in
the city are still at their armorIes.
Governor Foster said early this morn
ing that he did not anticipate any more
trouble. There - a rumor going Tho
rounds that the street car employees will
go out on a strike today at noon. For
some time past there has been trouble
brewing between the employees and the
company.
There is we'll defined suspicion that it
will take place. Should this strike be
ordered It would greatly intensity that
feeling among the labor element Of the
city.