Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-06-12

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo-. June IL
Governor Stephens to-day gave out the
following statement regarding the St.
Louis strike:
Vigorous action has been taken BY
the State government and ST. Louis
police department TO enforce respect
for law in ST. Louis and protect life
and property. The Republican Mayor,
however, who is candidate for re-
| nomination, not desiring 10 offend, pos
ltlyely refuses TO cooperate with us,
which lends encouragement to the law
less element and impedes our progress
| towards restoration of normal condi-
tons. The president OF the board OF
police commissioners writes me under
date of the Tth instant as follows:
Henry Ziegenhein, Mayor Of ST.
Louis, has persistenLly refused 10 at
tend the meetings of the police board,
of which he is a member, or TO give us
assistance of any kind at this critical
period. His Honor, in spite OF sundry
| requests, has persistently refused TO
assist the board in any way, and il is
my belief that his failure to do so has
worked great harm to us in this crisis.
president of the police board, that he
refused TO issue proper sort OF procla-
| nation TO keep the peace and for the
dispensing of mobs.
AS Governor, / have conscientiously
and fearlessly done my duty as my
Judgment directed. | have requested
| that $500 emergency policemen be
sworn in and that the sheriff summon
a posse of $500 additional able-bodiee.
and law-abidlng citizens to serve under
the direction OF the police commission
ers. Up to this hour II has not been
deemed necessary by the police COM
missioners of st. Louis TO order out the
militia, the commissioners yet believ-
ing that they are equal 10 the emery
ency. There have been only spasmodie
outbreaks which the police and deputy
sheriffs have been able to manage The
stripping of the women was done by
three girls, between the ages of four
teen and sixteen. A saloon keeper
was also arrested on suspicion OF being
implicated. 1t was not thought best 10
order out the militia to shoot them
| The girls have been tried and sentenced
TO terms in the Industrial Home for
Girls. Most OF the newspapers In st.
Louis endeavor to stand In with tho
lawless element as well as with the
better class, and think 1t popular TO
withhold support from State officers
and constantly criticise every act of
the police authorities.
"A similar strike upon the street
railways was ordered in Kansas City
about the same time the ST. Louis
strike was ordered, but proved fall
ure because the mayor, the newspapers
and the sheriff all co-operated with the
police department.
Eve have four regiments IN Mis-
souri,, consisting of about $500 men.
The First regiment. with two hours
notice, will be ready for duty. The
three other regiments can be modified
IL st. Louis inside of ten hours Camp
ing sites have been selected in the city
and details are arranged, and as soon
as | am informed by the proper per-
sons that tumult exists In ST. Louis
and that a condition of lawlessness
and disorder prevails with which the
city authorities are unable TO cope
the National Guard will be called out
to enforce the law and prevent further
disorder and acts OF violence without
delay
Conditions are indeed bad enough,
but exaggerated reports have reached
the East. feel the worst is over. IL
was demonstrated in St Louis yester-
day. when four or Ave strikers were
shot and killed, that our authorities
mean business. / believe that law and
order will soon be restored and the
good name and dignity OF st. Louis
and the State OF Missouri will be pre-
served. Ninety per cent. OF the good
people OF Missouri endorse my every
act since this strike was declared. and
oppose the calling out Of the militia
until ST. Louis admits, even with her
police force and unlimited number Of
aeputv sheriffs. she cannot at this
time take care OF herself