THE LABOUR TROUBLES TN SAN FRANCISCO.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume VI, Issue 272, 19 July 1878, Page 7

THE LABOUR TROUBLES TN SAN FRANCISCO.

[From the San Francisco Monitor.']

We can perceive, from the remarks of many of our eastern and foreign contemporaries, that they do not properly understand the nature of the so-called Workingmen's Movement "in this State, and that they have very erroneous ideas respecting its condition and prospects. It is our intention to set them right as briefly but as thoroughly as we can, and explain the agitation as it now exists. The Workingtnen's Movement in California owes its origin directly to the labour strikes and riots in Pittsburgh, Chicago, Baltimore, and other eastern cities. We had a weak repetition of those disturbances in San Francisco, and a body of men was organized, somewhat after the style of the old Vigilantes, to preserve the peace r of the city. Many think they were illegally brought together, and directed by irresponsible parties. However, it seems to us that it was a weakness on the part of the authorities to allow them at all, seeinothat the proper and legal forces at their disposal were not called into requisition, much less overpowered ; and the general opinion at present is that they did more harm than good, though they claim the credit of having saved the city from destruction. After these disturbances were quelled, some numbers of workingmen began to assemble occasionally on a vacant space of ground near the new City Hall, and made famous as the " Sand lots" to discuss their real or imaginary grievances, and to argue about some, (according to them) much needed reforms. Here it was that Denis Kearney came first to the front and rendered himself notorious. Destitute of education, deficient in intellect, with nothing attractive about him, he nevertheless had a rough vigour of speech which attracted auditors. He was joined in time by other agitators, with more ability and even loss principle than himself, and soon the meetings became largely attended. Immunity made the speakers bold, as they fancied they could override the law, and before long profanity, sedition, threats of incendiarism and murder, as well as openly avowed threats of revolution, became the chief ingredients of the " sand lot" oratory. The excitement grew rapidly and soon became intense. The public mind was profoundly disturbed, business decreased, and uneasiness became general. The city authorities made one effort to stop the incendiary talk, but it was so awkwardly done that the victory was left with the agitators, and

they became bolder than ever. Kearney assumed dictatorial airs, bullied all who opposed him, took possession of meetings called by reputable citizens., and would let nobody speak but men of his owa choosing. Then Vigilantes began to organise and arm secretly to "put down"' Kearney, and it was generally rumoured that they intended taking him from his home at night and. hanging him, together with some of the principal leaders. Thus the would-bo defenders of law aid order were as critainal in intent, and as illcg.il in formation as the " Kearney ites.' 1 A dreadful collision was apparently imminent — the safety of our city was gravely imperil led. At this critical juncture there spoke out one man who was not terrified by the danger, who bowed not down before cither Vigilantes or Kcarncyites. _ His Grace the Archbishop issued a pastoral forbidding his faithful children from associating themselves with any secret organization?, and also from attending any meetings at which sedition was spoken or threats of violence indulged in. "This was the fira serious check put to tho mad course of the disturbers. Many of the 1 ; workingmen of the city, probably a majority of them, are Catholics, and, of course, they listened respectfully to tho voice of their beloved prelate. In consequence the attendance at the '• sand lots' began to diminish ; then the leaders fell out among themselves, and iturled charges of traitorism, corruption, etc., at each other, and the whole movement appears on the down grade. The action of the Archbishop was warmly endorsed by the Press of the whole State, almost without exception, and was most gratifying, we might say to tho entire community. Numbers of the better classes of workingmen saw tho perilous road they were treading and retraced their steps. Kearney and his gang, however, kept up their old tactics, brcakii g up meetings and intimidating their adversaries wherever they coul i. Last evening the quondam dictator, Kcarnej-, was violently thra^t out from a meeting into which ha had tiled to obtrude' himself unbidden. He formed another meeting oC his own in tho street, aivl blocked up the thoroughfare. Tho police, fearing a conflict between the rival factions, as also desirous cf cl oaring the street, dispersed Kearney's crowd and had to use their clubj very freely to do so. For some time the scene was one of intense excitement and terrible confusion, when the officers charged upon the tumultuous assembly, and the slightest accident might 'have precipitated a riot that would have made the streets run with blood. The conduct of the police was admirable. They were cool, brave, and not inclined to use more violence than was absolutely necessary. And, in this connection, wo feel impelled to urge upon the Board of Supervisors the prebsirg necessity of their at once filling up the ranks of the police to the number allowed by law. We demand that thoy do so on the part oC the community, whose lives, peace and property are endangered by their inaction. It is well understood by the public that petty quairclings over a small question of patronage are at the bottom of the deadlock now existing between them and tho Police Commissioners. Will these gentlemen Supervisors be good enough to lay aside their bickerings and listen to the call of Uuty? That is precisely wh.it the citizens expect from thorn, and wo trust that they will pay attention. They incur a fearful responsibility unless th"y take speedy and effective measures to secure tho peace and good order of the city. Au.l they may rest satisfied they will be held to strict account for it.