The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-06-25

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month.
y MILITARY RULE IN RICHMOND
Strange scenes were witnessed In Rich
(. mond yesterday. The cars were running
up and down the streets much tho Same
4 n usual, except that most Of the passen-
gers were armed soldiers. It was Gu
rious sight. It was q humiliating spec
I tacle to all lovers OF law and order. to
all who are Jealous OF Richmond's name
+. and fame. Many such men, meeting one
change words Of coincidence, as though
some great calamity had fallen upon the
city. And in very truth a calamity has
tefallen us. Our reputation is hurt Tho
I eyes OF the State were upon Richmond.
There have been such strikes In other
cities and there has been riot. Now lot
{ US see what Richmond will do, 4" said our
fellow.citizens in other parts OF the State.
"Let US sec how the people Of the Capital
city Will behave. They have been reared
81 an. atmosphere Of law. The General
Assembly meets there to mako the laws.
ant the Court Of Appeals sits there to
cot lrue them, and the Governor sits
there Is see that they are executed. Sure
lys>Richmond will obey the law, Surely
there will be no riotlns in Richmond dur
Ing the strike
Our neighbors did have the right to
expect we'll Of us. and It would have
been most gratifying to the great major
,ty Of the people OF tho city II these ok.
psctations had been realized. But it was
not to b., and Tho Times.Dispatch con-
fesses to keen disappointment. We
feared there would be somo disorder. for
there are some lawless people In every
community. But We were not prepared
for hot and mob violence We had no
thought that It would be necessary TO
call out the military to preserve tho peace
in Richmond. It was as surprising as 1t
was humiliating.
armed soldiers riding on every street car
in Richmond. Why are the soldiers nec-
essary? What Is the Passenger and Pow
or Company doing that its cars must be
protected by soldiers? Is 1t violating the
law? Arc ats employees doing any unlaw-
full thing? Has not the company the right
to run its cars over tho streets? Does not
tho Council say so7 Does not tho Mayor
say 30. Does not the chief Of police say
SO? Nay. does not the Governor OF the
State say so7
Why. then. arc there soldiers on every
cart Because lawless men are trying to
prevent the cars from running, and are
using force and seem determined to carry
their point, even to the extent Of destroy
Ing property and committing murder. And
these mon are not the strikers. They ara
men who have no sort Of connection with
the Passenger and Power Company. They
are doing this thing for pure mischief,
Tor the love of Excitement, and some OF
them for the love OF riot.
They must be put down. They must
not be tolerated. We beg all law-abiding
citizens to rebuke the rioters and TO aid
tho authorities In keeping them down,
They are doing tho city .ncalculable harm
They are doing the cause OF labor An
caleulable harm They are doing the
cause OF the strikers incalculable harm
Ii Is these men. few though thsy be. who
are making tho presence Of the military
necessary.
Once more let us say that the specta Gle
of armed soldiers on the street cars Of
Richmond is humiliating, Let US as a
community rise up In our righteous In
signation and suppress the lawles.
md restore order and send the soldier.
nome,
We cannot afford az community t
have this state OF things continue TO-
i long, for II ~ most demoralizIng. Law
lessness begets lawlessness. and II th'
germ which has been breeding Is no
stamped out It will make aloathsome dis
essa in the city, which will spread lik.
a contag,on and abide for many day.
Most OF the trouble which has occurred
has grown out OF the gathering o
crowds along thu street car lines. Las
night crowd gathered in tho West End
and disturbance occurred which result
I'd ia the wounding OF several persons
This ought To be warning to the public
IL men Will gather for unlawful purposes
they may expect to gat hurt. for the Law
Win be enforced and those who pu
themselves IN the company OF lawles
gathering. however, innocent they ma!
be, may also expect 10 get hurt by stra.
bullets, should the guards or the soldier
Ere.
Thu Msyor has given warning and ha
y III Il r srFs ~. = T. q