The herald., 1895-01-09
STARVING PEOPLE
BATTLE WITH
THE Police
Bread Riots Follow Famine
in st. Johns.
Government Buildings StOrmed
by the Mob.
BUSINESS HOUSES SACKED.
A Desperate Crowd Charged With
BUSINESS HOUSES SACKED.
A Desperate Crowd Charged With
Swords.
The Governments Refusal to Heed the
Plea of tho Starving preaipttntse
. Conflict = The End
Not Yot.
special to TEE HERALD.

ST. johns. N. F., Jan. 8.-Ths desti-
tu.e unemployed assembled this morns
ing and again marched to the war ship
Tourmaline to ascertain what answer
the commander, Sir Richard Poorc, had
received from the governments. In re~
ply to his letter the governor had stated
that hs was bAing imposed upon; that
ths condition OF things was greatly OK
aggsrstsd: that there was nothing like
the destitution represented. and that
the government WAS fully prepared to
relieve everyone requiring relief.
In view of this. Captain Poore could
only advise the mon to call upon the
governor and represents thsir condition
TO him. This they decided to do, and
the crowd marched to the executive
mansion. The governors aid said that
Governor O'Brien could not see them,
but they insistcd that he must, and des-
iansted two Of their number to see the
governor.
sroaMED THE GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
This was done, and the governor told
hem that the government was doing its
best to deviae means to help them. and
hintsd that if they should personally APP
peal to the ministry there might be
more speedy action. The crowd
crossed TO the legislative building. but
wss refused admistancs. Tho doors
were closed and poase OF police was
stationed within.
This enraged the crowd, and thsy
coon burst open the doors and scattered
the police and doorkeopers. One OF the
policsmen was kicked in the face and
all were moro or less injured. Mean
while the ministers deoamped. Extra
police arrived and ths intruders were
driven cut.
FIGHT WITH THE POLL CE.
Back to the government houss they
went. investigating it on sll sides. The
governor appeared, urging them to be
patient and orderly. He sold them to
appeal in proper form to their repre-
sentstives and then. ii their appeal was
fruitless, to return to him. Another
march on the colonial building was
ordered and deputation WAS appointed
to wait on the premier and obtain the
governments intentions. but again the
doors vera closed and this Tins so
strongly barricaded that entrance was
impossible. Large detachmsnts Of police
were around and Captain Poore was re-
ouested to be ready to asnd party Of
marines If needed.
The more desperate advocated storm
ing the building. This counsel Was not
followed, but the police were attacked
and one officer had an eye nearly
knocked out. Tbs crowd, under threats.
compelled Premier Sir Joseph Grsen to
appear and make a speech. Hs prom
issd to either give the msn work within
two days or to resign. This was greeted
with cries of "Reeign." The premier.
continuing, said ms was in as desp erats
straits as they, but they shouted back
that he had bread 60 eat, while they had
not.
LooTING THE STORES.
Finally some one sung out. ITS no
uss listening TO him lot rs 20 and take
what ws want"
At this the vast asacmblags made for
the businass portion of the city. Curl
ouely enough they did not uolest any OF
the solvent firms. but directed them
selves to tho bankrupt ones. Edwin
Duders & Con- warehouse was whore
they made their frat attempt. They
claimed they had right to property OF
such firms, as their commercial notes
ers worth only 20 cents on tho dollar.
Duders' warehouses wers quickly en-
tered. but no provisions could bs found.
Then they attacked Steers premiass
and In five minutes 500 men were ram
aacking 1t. while thousands tille5 the
square.
MARINES ON DuTv.
At this juncture 8 squad Of 80 polics
arrived and tried to stop the rlunderinR.
but the destitute peoplewere aroused and
were helping themselves literally 70 al
they could lay handa on. The officers
had to draw their sid~ sym. end >e.~-<