RIOTS AT CINCINNATI

Temuka Leader, Issue 1182, 24 May 1884, Page 3

RIOTS AT CINCINNATI

In the Cincinnati riots the number of persons who were killed and wounded amounts to upwards cf 209. Only the overwhelming force of 'State troops prevented further disastrous demonstrations. The Gazette of Cincinnati commenting on the affair, says—" Ihe excited people had real grievances. To begin with, the administration of the criminal law has been damnable, and the influence of sheer criminals in public affairs is alarming, That which had happened, we may hope, will create an irresistible influence that will lead to better ways." The Socialists of the city met on the

night of April 3rd, to declare the true cause of the riots in Cincinnati, which is declared to have been a premature explosion of general discontent caused by firebrand and inflammatory speeches made by so-called leading citizens, who were seeking to divert the attention of the people from the real differences existing among the nationalities (which >iave become almost unbearable), by pointing out to them an individual murderer as ont of the causes of the existing evils and of human degeneracy. The resolutions lurther declare that the militia wantonly killed fifty 01 more citizens and encouraged others to retaliate, and deprecate the bourgeoise for being led by the rich, who are declared to be the national criminals. They also repudiate the allegation that it was the Socialists who led the mob, and demand the disbanding ot the State militia, as being a menace to popular liberty. A leading citizen of Cincinnati says in a telegram, dated April 7th, that the papers dare not tell all their reporters know about the riots, and the coroner dare not hold an inquest, because the testimony would show that there was no mob in the full sense of that term, and that there was no need for the -military and no need of them to open fire ; that they poured on an unoffending people, and such of policemen and militia as were shot by the militia ; that Sheriff Hawkins lost his head ; that the firing was uncalled for and cowardly, and tie bystanders could not believe balls were being fired till they saw men fall. The letter criticises th« entire management .. of the Governor and his military staff, speaking with the utmost sevrity of the fear and foolishness and bloodthirsty irenzy of the sheriff, and with which he infected the militia.