The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1901-05-08
NEW YORK DRAFT RIOTS

ON Saturday, July II. 1868. a draft for
men TO serve In the army was begun In
New York city in a locality largely in
habited by poor people. Ii was carried
ON without interruption or disturbance.
but on Sunday secret meetings were held
and the plans OF resistance formed When
the draft was begun on Monday morning
mob surrounded the building I'm which
IL was held, broke down the doors, and,
finally set the building on fire. All OF the
officers escaped uninJured but one. who
was hurt by stones.
Thes uccess OF the rioters here added
large numbers TO their ranks. and IN a
few hours a great army re-enforced by
all the roughs of the city, was trampng
through the streets burning, destroying,
plunderlng and numbering wherever re-
slstance was offered them. Crowds OF
women were with them, melting their
husbands 20 lawless deeds. At first a de-
tachment of marines was sent against
them with muskets and blank cartridges
When It was known that their firing pro-
duced no effect the crowd set upon them
and beat them, seriously injuring and even
killing several Police sent against them
were treated in like manner.
Through race hatred or political malice,
the mob was disposed 90 vent a special
animosity upon negroes. They attacked
these unfortunate people on the street. i'm
restaurants and at their homes. The Coll
Ored Half orphan Asylum. ON Fifth ave-
nue., was attacked by an army OF ruffian
hnN oh MA.
dered and fired The Tribune building
was sacked There was no force at hand
10 defend the city from the rioters but
the police. which did valiant service,
though they were not al all able 10 check
the disorder on the second day the riot
ing was even worse than on the first.
Governor Seymour having arrived i'm the
city issued proclamation I'm which he
partially condoned the outbreak by ad-
mitting that the people were apprehen-
siYe OF injustice on the part of the gov
ernment and promised them that the
rights of all would be protected. while
he warned the people that he would use
all means I'm his power 20 preserve order.
few hours later he issued another proc
lamation In which he declared the city
In state OF insurrectiou. and ordered the
dispersal of the mob. These proclama-
tons, however. did but little good. General
Wool the head of the department OF the
cast called out all veteran volunteers,
but there was SO little time for organiz-
ing that, though large numbers respond
ed. they could not be used effectively.
A small command OF regular troops from
Fort Lafayette did more effective service.
The riot lasted three days during which
business was entirely suspended The
draft was for the time given up. and the
city council passed relief bill 10 pay $500
communication or substitute money for
every drafted man of the poorer classes
who had family dependent on him
1t was estimated that the number killed
during the riots, or who died OF injuries,
was nearly 1000, but this was probably
an exaggerated estimate. The mortality
statistics recorded an increase OF $50 over
the average weekly mortality of the year.
There was much destruction, of property,
ana claims for damages caused ny the
riots were brought before the county au-
thoriueS 10 the aggregate or $500. coo.
Many. however. We're dsallowed by the
examining committee. but almost 81 5OO,-
600 was finally paid.-Exchange.