Part 94
Q. Did you have any difficulty in getting extra police to serve?
A. Yes; the paid specials I wanted to put on for the protection of the company's property, whom I placed for the purpose of relieving the city from any legal liability, after having received these notices, of which I have given you a copy. It was with difficulty I could find men who would accept the position. Quite a number who came and were sworn in on the morning before stopped at noon, and served half a day; but in regard to those that were specials--were paid--those were probably gathered through and by Colonel Hitchcock--a large number of those--quite a large number came to me; that is, volunteered first, and enrolled themselves.
Q. Offered themselves?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And were sworn in?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Was there any difficulty in getting men to serve in that way?
A. No, sir; not in the least. Had all that I deemed was necessary, and more, too.
Q. Had no difficulty in that respect?
A. No, sir.
Q. In getting the paid police that you spoke of first, what was the reason--what objections did they have in serving that way?
A. That was on account of the resolutions that had been passed in some of the meetings of workingmen, in which this vote of censure against me for placing these special policemen on had been passed. These resolutions had been passed without the men having any knowledge--report had it that I was putting five hundred or a thousand special policemen on the city, and putting them on pay. I didn't deem it to be my duty, nor the interest of the city, to let everybody know what I was doing, and this report got it, and this series of resolutions was afterwards passed by the council--first started under a misapprehension.
Q. Then I understand you to say, that it was not on account of any unwillingness of the citizens of Scranton to serve and aid in keeping the peace and good order of the city?
A. There are the facts, just as they are. It was with difficulty that I could get them.
Q. What powers are given you as mayor by the city charter or organization?
A. We are acting under the law of 1874, the Wallace act, where the mayor has the same power as the sheriff to call a posse comitatus, and so on. I might state right here, in regard to the passage of that very act, that I was before the committee, Mr. Merryfield and myself, asking that very power of the sheriff to be given to a city. Or town, as an instance, where we were so far from the county seat, in the case of outbreak, under the old charter the mayor would be helpless.
Q. Did you make any regular call upon the citizens to serve as a posse?
A. I made this call, in which I called those enrolled--my posse. When I went up the street, I might state right here, that Mr. Thomas, a gentleman who will be here, who was one of the committee from the workingmen, came and guaranteed me any aid I might need.
Q. How many did that posse number?
A. One hundred and twenty, sir, enrolled.
Q. Were ready to come at the signal?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. You speak of legal liability. Is there any law by which your city is made liable for damages done within your limits?
A. Nothing more, I suppose, than any neglect upon the part of the officers of the city to protect property. It is nothing further, sir.
Q. Any act of Assembly?
A. No, sir. I am not a lawyer, but I presume, if the officers of the city should fail to render abundant protection to property, when notified of its danger, that then the city would be held responsible, in case the property was destroyed.
Q. In the interview that you had with the executive committee of the railroad employés, did you learn what their grievances were, and their reasons for striking?
A. On account of wages--desired more wages.
By Mr. Larrabee:
Q. Were they the first that struck?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Had there been any reduction of wages on the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western, or any of the roads leading to your town?
A. Well, sir, I cannot tell you that, sir. The superintendent will be here.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. What grievance did the railroad men complain of when they did strike?
A. Only in regard to reduction of wages.
Q. Had no other complaint?
A. I understand that the miners themselves and the laborers in the mine didn't strike. They were forced out of the mines on account of no work the very moment that the railroad ceased operating. That morning, or the next day, at least, mining had to cease, because there was no place to put the coal that they mined; but, upon their coming out, they then assembled together, and asked for an advance of wages.
Q. Had there been any reduction of wages among the miners prior to that strike?
A. The wages had been under a reduction for some length of time.
Q. For several years past?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Do you know when the last reduction was made?
A. No, sir; I don't know the date.
Q. Did you have any interview with the miners?
A. This committee of eighteen represented miners, engineers, and laborers--represented all connected with the mines and all of its parts.
Q. What did they complain of?
A. The engineers of the pumps had some complaint to Mr. Brisbin in regard to not fulfilling the agreement made at the long strike.
Q. The long strike was in what year?
A. In 1872, I think.
Q. I would like to know whether they were railroad engineers or engineers at the pumps?
A. Pumps and collieries.
Q. Any railroad men in this delegation?
A. Not in this delegation of eighteen.
By Mr. Larrabee:
Q. I understood you to say they were miners, engineers, and brakemen?
A. No, sir: the committee on Monday was firemen and brakemen, not engineers. The engineers were not in the strike.
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. The committee of eighteen was composed of who?
A. Composed of miners, laborers, engineers, and pumpmen at the mines.
By Mr. Yutzy:
Q. Not railroaders?
A. No, sir.
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. Did they state in what respect the agreement had not been carried out by the companies after 1872?
A. They did, sir; in the interview with Brisbin they did very clearly. It was in regard to the _pro rata_ reduction. I didn't take interest enough in it to explain it to you thoroughly, sir. It was a matter between them more. While it was at my office, and the parties were got together at my suggestions, I was there during the whole time, but the matter was more immediately for them to discuss, as I didn't consider it my place to take any part in the discussion, and did not.
Q. What did you ascertain subsequent to the conflict of the 1st of August? What did you find out about the cause that induced that assemblage at the silk-works?
A. They were called together, as I understood, to hear the report of this committee of eighteen.
Q. In the interview with you, did the committee of eighteen state what their purposes or objects were for the future?
A. On this Sunday interview?
Q. Yes?
A. Nothing more than they believed that the companies had been cutting down their wages too much, that they had been extravagant in the management of corporations, that it had come a time for retrenchment, and the retrenchment was all coming over on them as laborers, that they believed they could, by a proper way of disposing of their coal and so on--they had some grievances in regard to that--that better wages could be paid.
Q. Did they intimate about what they intended to do?
A. Nothing more than they wouldn't work until there should be an advance in wages.
Q. Did they give any intimation of any intention to make an attack upon the city and disturb the peace in any way?
A. Directly the opposite, sir; gave me every assurance to aid and support. This question in regard to the large number of strangers that were here, was brought up and discussed, and they felt an anxiety in regard to that very point, that an overt act might bring them into disgrace.
Q. The miners?
A. This committee of eighteen.
Q. What was the object of this delegation calling on the mayor and making this statement? Did they make any demand of you?
A. I sent for them when the companies asked of me. This is a notice I didn't read, and this will more clearly show why I sent for the delegation:
SCRANTON, _July 27_.
R. H. McKune:
The men employed by this company to fire and operate the engines at our mines for pumping the water therefrom, have by threats and intimidation been driven from their works, and notice given, that any person or persons who should attempt to perform such service would do so at the peril of the lives. This action involves the flooding of the mines, which would cause immeasurable loss and damage to the company. I therefor call upon you for such protection as employés are entitled to under the laws of this Commonwealth.
Signed by
WILLIAM R. STOORS, _General Coal Agent_.
It was after receiving this from Mr. Stoors that I sent for this committee.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. Did you know that that committee was in existence at that time?
A. By the papers, sir. The meeting was a public meeting, and the names of this committee were published in the papers, sir. Nothing secret about it so far as to the gentlemen who were going upon the committee. This committee had also called upon Mr. Stoors, making a request for more wages, which my scrap book that I have, if I had it here, would give you still fuller than that.
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. What did you advise them in the interview, Mr. McKune?
A. I advised them--they disclaimed of having any knowledge of these parties who were sending letters or attempting to intimidate these men who were at work at the pumps. They disclaimed any knowledge of that, and at this interview stated clearly and distinctly that it was against their wish and desire, and as I said about the proclamation which I issued in regard to this very matter--the proclamation was framed by us there, jointly. The language, if you will read it, you would see that it is very careful--that it is very guarded--there is no implication of anybody being in the wrong--there is a difference of opinion. The whole thing was carefully gone over. Our interview lasted from one until between four and five o'clock. The whole of our interview was extremely pleasant, and they seemed just about as anxious as I was for the protection of property, and in the first draft of the proclamation that I made, there might have been an inference drawn that they were at fault, and we worked until the proclamation which was issued met their views.
Q. I understood you to say that you put persons at the pumps before that interview?
A. No, sir; I had nothing to do with putting them at the pumps. I notified Mr. Stoors, the general agent, in regard to the interview that I had. This was on Sunday, sir, and on Monday the men went to work.
Q. To work at the pumps?
A. Yes; there was more or less intimidation in different parts, even after this. I might state that, sir, and Mr. Stoors probably will be able to give you a better account of the reports that he received.
Q. I understand the pumps were working at the time of the assemblage of this crowd, on the 1st of August?
A. Yes; the pumps were working more or less.
Q. And trains had been started?
A. Yes. The pumps were not being worked by the regular engineers or regular pumpmen.
Q. By whom were they worked?
A. Mostly by men--foremen and other men that understood how to work the pumps, but were not the regular men--were not the men who had previously operated these pumps, in no single instance.
Q. By whom were they sent there?
A. By the company.
Q. The trains were run on that day also?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Were the freight trains run?
A. Oh, yes, sir.
Q. All trains?
A. Oh, there was no coal going out, because there was no coal mined. What freight there was through freight, and passenger trains were running on schedule time.
Q. In the crowd of men that were assembled there when you went down to the Lackawanna office--Delaware and Lackawanna was it?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Did you see any men that you knew--railroad men or mechanics--about the city--the men you were accustomed to see?
A. Oh, yes; saw quite a number standing about. A large number even upon the railway, and a large number of our business men and prominent citizens drawn there to look upon the crowd.
Q. Were any of those engaged in riotous conduct that you knew?
A. No, sir.
Q. Railroad men?
A. No, sir.
Q. Miners?
A. No, sir. The first of the parties who had swept through the shops and who came out from under the shops, there was not a man of them that I recognized as a man I had ever seen before.
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. These men that you knew were simply standing about?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. Were they the men that undertook to protect you?
A. Some of them probably did, sir.
Q. Did any of your mechanics in the city engage in the riots when it was once precipitated?
A. Well, sir, they were among the crowd that passed me as I was coming up Lackawanna avenue. There were quite a number of those that I had passed in going down, and while the cry was being made, "Now for Lackawanna avenue; now for the company's store."
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. They joined with the rioters after you returned?
A. Yes, sir.
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. I wish you would state whether the action of the council in refusing to pay extra police was justifiable. Whether at that time the condition of affairs here was in a condition to warrant them in taking that action?
A. No, sir; it was not, because I had, as I said, but eight special policemen, whom I had sent out to the different parts and to the different properties upon which I received notification, I placed these special men. You, gentlemen, can judge whether a city of thirty-five thousand inhabitants, the larger portion, or a larger per centage of that of the laboring element--whether a force of twenty men is any too great a force as a police and protective force. I leave that for you, gentlemen, to judge.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. Do I understand you to say that you called your council together with a view of then taking some action on this subject?
A. On Wednesday I consulted with a number of the council in regard to whether we had not better call a meeting, and what was best to be done in the matter; but this meeting where these resolutions were passed, I think, was a regular meeting. I am not clear in regard to that.
Q. They declined to meet. Is that what I understand you?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. What reasons did they give?
A. They thought it was not necessary--the one or two I talked to.
Q. Did they say why they thought it was not necessary?
A. No. Everything was quiet and peaceful.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. Then, at this regular meeting, what action did they take in regard to disturbances?
A. There had been none at that time.
Q. But afterwards you said there was a regular meeting?
A. No, sir.
By Senator Reyburn:
Q. This crowd that swept through the shops was headed by a man who was a stranger?
A. They all were strangers.
Q. Was that the same crowd that was fired on in the street?
A. I should judge that some of them were the same.
Q. Were those men that were killed strangers?
A. Two of them were not residents of the city. I believe one of them was.
Q. Were any of your posse killed?
A. No, sir; but two of them were wounded, sir, with pistol shots.
Q. With pistol shots?
A. With pistol shots and with clubs. Two were wounded with pistol shots, and one with clubs.
Q. Did you ever ascertain where those two strangers that were killed came from?
A. Yes; I think one of the killed was from the Sixth ward, and two from the adjoining township--Lackawanna township.
Q. Were they railroaders?
A. Men employed in the mines--around the mines.
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. Were any more of the rioters wounded?
A. There was one man--a young man--was wounded. A one legged Welsh boy that had formerly worked for the Lackawanna Coal Company, and he recovered.
Q. Did you, in your first correspondence with the Governor, did you think that you were able to control matters here in the city, and did you so indicate to him, without the aid of the militia of the State?
A. The following is a copy; I am not clear whether the date is right: "Governor Hartranft, in consulting with my advisory committee, they do not deem troops necessary, and advise against home troops," and further, on the 28th I telegraphed to the Governor again, as follows: "All quiet. I expect to get the pumps in the mines going to-morrow." I telegraphed to the Governor, "The employés of the railroad company have just informed me that their difficulties have been adjusted, or have been settled," and again, on the 29th, I telegraphed to the Governor, "Pumps will start to-morrow. Send no troops until you hear further from me Am in hopes of a peaceful settlement."
By Senator Reyburn:
Q. That was at the time of this agreement.
A. Yes, sir.
By Mr. Larrabee:
Q. What date was that dispatch?
A. The 29th, sir.
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. What date did you call upon the Governor to send you troops?
A. The 1st day of August, sir.
Q. After the conflict?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. As part of our duties is to find out about the conduct of the militia, I wish the mayor would just state what was the conduct of the militia during their presence here?
A. I can say, in regard to the militia--I don't know much about them, for I have very little knowledge of General Brinton's command that was here, for I was quite severely unwell, and was not out much, any further than going down in my carriage, and calling on General Lyle. In reference to those that remained, you are aware some of them remained here for three months, the Nineteenth, under Hartley Howard, and the First Pennsylvania. Their conduct was most excellent, so much so as to receive the encomiums, upon all sides, of every person.
By Mr. Larrabee:
Q. You say that you were at Ocean Grove at the time you heard of the Pittsburgh riots?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. How long had you been there?
A. I had been down a week previous.
Q. Had there been any rumors of any difficulty here, prior to the commencement of the Pittsburgh riots?
A. I telegraphed, on Saturday, to Mr. Halsted, superintendent, like this: "Do you apprehend any difficulty; if so I will return home." He telegraphed me, on Saturday: "I apprehend none; if I do so I will wire you." I have not got a copy of that telegram here.
Q. Did you, from any source, receive any intimation that there was liability to be any strike here, prior to the outbreak at Pittsburgh?
A. No, sir; not in the least.
Q. In your judgment, was this trouble here precipitated by the news of the rioting at other places?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. You think it grew out of that? That, the news of what was going on at other places, stirred up the workingmen, and incited them to do as they did?
A. Yes; permit me to say that I do not believe the miners would ever have come out of the mines, had the railroad men not suspended, and if the coal had been taken away from them as they mined it, the men would not, in my opinion, have come out of the mines.
Q. You think, then, it was a sort of a fellow-feeling that animated the workingmen here?
A. You might call it an epidemic.
Q. Will you state whether there were any symptoms of any difficulty or uneasiness among the men here prior to the news having been received of trouble?
A. There was none. Everything was the most perfect quiet when I left home.
By Senator Yutzy:
Q. The fact that the railroad was not carrying away the coal, was not that the cause of the miners coming out of the mines?
A. That is what I say, sir. I wish that to be on record.
Q. Did you ascertain who these men were that were interfering with the pumps at the mines?
A. No, sir; I do not know as I did.
Q. Were they miners on a strike?
A. No, sir; there were no arrests made of those. There were arrests made, afterwards, for an attempt of riot somewhere along about the 20th August, I should think, sir, by one of the companies of Colonel Howard's command--I think some five or six--my record book would tell the date, and soon--who were tried, and afterwards convicted at our county court.
Q. Men engaged in interfering with the pumps?
A. I don't know whether it was that, or an attempt. I think that was an attempt at riot about that date.
Q. Were any of the rioters arrested that were engaged in this riot here, on the streets, afterwards?
A. I think there has been some, sir.
Q. Were any of your posse arrested?
A. Yes; thirty-eight were.
Q. Arrested on information of some of the rioters?
A. The finding of the coroner's jury, sir. A coroner's inquest was held.
Q. Were they tried?
A. They were.
Q. By whom--the court?
A. The court, Judge Harding presiding.
Q. On what charge?
A. Upon a charge of murder--manslaughter.
Q. Were they acquitted?
A. They were.
Q. Were any of the rioters tried, that were arrested?
A. I think there has been, sir. There are other gentlemen here, who had charge of that matter, that will be able to testify better in regard to that than myself.
Q. At the office where you found the young lady, state whether any assault was made upon that by the crowd or mob?
A. None, that I know of.
Q. Was there any made after that time, or where did the crowd go, and what became of the inmates of the office?
A. The attention of the crowd was drawn away from that part over towards me, and the party who came out from the shops.
Q. Had you been informed they were in danger?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And that is the reason you went down there?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And after you got there, and found the young lady in a fainting condition, you did not consider it advisable to take them away from there, and didn't do so?
A. I didn't? consider it advisable to take them away, and made no effort so to do.
Q. You did not consider it advisable?
A. No, sir.
Q. Did they afterwards escape from the office, and reach their homes?
A. Without any difficulty.
Q. Why didn't you consider it advisable to take them away, if they were in danger?
A. I did not consider they were in danger.
By Mr. Means:
Q. I suppose you considered them more safe, than taking them away in the street?
A. Yes, sir.
* * * * *
Joshua Thomas, _sworn_:
By Mr. Lindsey:
Q. State where you reside, if you please?
A. I am residing at Hyde Park.
Q. What is your occupation?
A. I am a blacksmith.
Q. Were you here in July last, when the difficulty occurred?
A. I was.
Q. On what day was it that the disturbance took place in the streets here?
A. On the 1st of August.
Q. Will you please state whether you had any previous knowledge of the intention or existence of any disturbance, prior to that date?
A. No, sir; I had none.
Q. And what was the first thing that you noticed or discovered?
A. At the silk-factory meeting?
Q. Yes. State whether you were at the silk factory meeting?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. For what purpose was that meeting called?
A. As near as I could learn on the streets, the men anticipated hearing the reports of the standing committee of the Delaware and Hudson Canal Company, and they all went down there expecting to hear the committee report as to the result of the intercourse with the company.
Q. That was the committee that had been----