The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-01-23
WORK Or BREADI"
A Mob Of Starving Newfoundlanders
Calls on q Warship Commander.

Calls on Warship Commander.
A mob OF the unemployed, carrying ban
ner inscribed "Work or bresdI" paraded the
streets OF St. Johns, Newfoundland, then
called on the captain of the British warship
Tourmaline to know ifhe would fire on them
II they broke open the stores and took food.
The Tourmaline Is housed for the winter
In the upper part OF the harbor. The crowd
filled the pier BY q coincidence about one
hundred fully armed marines and seamen
out for exercise returned to the ship.
marching through the assemblage and
quickly repressing any idea OF forcible en-
try of stores.
There were between three and four thou
sand, and hunger was written In the faces OF
Richard Poore, demanded to know what the
crowd wanted, and directed that represents
tives be sent aboard to statetheir grievances.
Three delegates were sent to the ship and
stated their case. The bank failures occurred
four weeks ago, and nearly every large en-
ployer OF labor suspended the same day.
Nearly every man in the crowd had been Idle
all tsat time. r... ..
Their families are starving, they have no
coal or provisions, diphtherla, scarlatina
and kindred diseases are making their aD-
pearanoe among their children, and they
have no chance OF obtaining employment
before spring.
They pointed to the stores and warehouses
filed with food and demanded why they
should starve when food was to be had.
Captain Poore promised that he would see
no man starve, although he would allow no
riot1ng. He counselled them to be patient
twenty-four hours more. He would write
to the Government and also to the Governor.
Bread Riots at s;t. Johns.
The crowd OF unemployed workin2men
who paraded the streets Of st. Johns, New
Foundland, and later visited the captain
of the warship Tourmallns and made
a statement to him as to their
condition demanding work or bread.
resumed their demonstration next day.
The crowd, largely increased in numbers,
met before the legislative building and hoot-
ed the e1-Premier, Sir William Whiteway,
who was formerly their Idol. After hootlng
to their hearts content the crowd marched
again TO the dock where the Tourmaline is
living, in order to receive the captains an
swer to their petition.
Captain Sir Richard Poole, the commander
of the warship, received deputation and
told them that the matter was In the hands
OF the Governor. Then the march was
taken up to the residence OF the Governor,
who told those who waited upon him that
the Government officers we're the proper
persons to reply to the demands formulated
By the workingmen. The crowd became
deeply exasperated when they learned OF the
Governors reply, and the leaders ,sugges-
tion that the Ministers be seen was quickly
acted upon. Proceeding to the Chamber,
the crowd found that their coming had been
anticipated. for they found the doors barred
against them.
Nothing daunted In their determination,
the crowd set to work to force an entrance,
and doors and windows were soon battered
In and tngress was gained. The police at.
tempted to check the crowd In their work OF
destruction, but the officers Jared badly IN
the seufles that followed, and the rioters
were for the time being masters OF the situa-
tion.
Hoping to pacify them, Prime Minister
Greene appeared and addressed them. When
they were told that 1t was impossible to
accede to this demand the leaders OF the
crowd held a short conference AMI 1t was
decided to attack the stores on Water street,
which were quickly looted OF their pro-
visions. At this point armed police inter-
yened and the mob was driven back at the
point OF the bayonet. Four men-Bussey,
Brown. Coady and King, the promoters OF
the riot-were arrested.