The sun., 1895-01-17
DEMAND WORK OR DREAD.
Three Thousand Ne. Be.isse the Montreal
city Hail.

MONTREAL. Jan. l6.-Three thousand unem-
ployed workingincn gathered outside Of the
City Hall to-day and threatened to invade
the building and proceed TO violence II
their demands for work were not COM
piled with. The demonstration was the third
OF its kind within a few weeks, and
II shows the alarming condition Of affairs In
Montreal. Thousands OF workingmen have
been thrown out OF employment by the closing
OF the Canadian Pacific Railway ahops, and
many Of the men who have families TO support
have grown desperate. There would have been
serious trouble to-day II It had not been for
some cool heads among the leaders.
After brief conference n delegation OF about
thirty men were selected to interview Mayor
vlleneuvr, whilo vast crowd remained on the
outside. a strong guard OF police was on duty.
but they were unable To prevent hundrcdso Of the
mob from packing the corridors.
X. Ouinct, who acted no spokesman. remind
ed the Mayor that ut two previous demonstra-
tions the unemployed men had been told that
work would soon he provided for them Ivy tho
city. They had waited patiently, but in vain
They were growing tired. and wanted to know
whether they were to get work or not.
William Darlington, labor leader. who fol-
lowed, said thousands OF workingmen of Mon
trcal were in n desperate franc of mind
because OF their impoverished condition.
Many cases Of death by actual starvation
had been brought to his own per-
sonal knowledge. Doctors gave certificates cay
ing that tho unfortunates had succumbcd TO
pneumonia or consumption or some similar
com plant. but the real cause was the lack
OF necessary food and medicine. As n repre-
sentative Of the knights of Labor. he would
tell tho Mayor that tho men were not going
10 lie down peaccably to die from starvation In
u country where there was plenty OF food and
where others were living in luxury. IL the
Council refused to give the unemployed assist
ance by providing them with work he would not
be answerable for the consequences The Qucs-
ton was, shall VIC have starvation or an
archy?"
Mayor Villeneuve expressed his sympathy
with the men. and said the city had done Its
best to give employment, and suggested tnat a
requisition be presented to him to call mass
meeting at the Board OF Trade rooms on Fri
day. The requisition was Immediately signed
and presented to the Mayor.
In tho mean time the crowd outside became
impatient and was addressed by several speak.
ers. who soundly denounced tho Mayor, who, on
being called for, repeated what he had said to the
visiting add ing that Montreal was not
worse Off than other cities on this continent. He
said he did not believe they were all in want. He
hoped capitalists would attend the meeting on
Friday and either provide work or subscribe &c
q relief fund
The mob stopped traffic on the streets and
several cars which attempted to pass through
were blocked. Fire engines were called out tc
dispcrse the crowd. but they stood their ground
and the firemen retired without having accom-
plshed anything.
The mob remained around the City Hall al
the afternoon. and only dispersed when i'm
plorcd by their leaders to await the result Of
Fridays meeting.
The leaders threaten to repeat the demonstra-
tion IL something is not done then. Tho sltua.
tion creates great excitement and serious
trouble is anticipated II relief measures a.e no,
soon adopted,