The Unemployed in London.

Thames Star, Volume XVI, Issue 5092, 13 May 1885, Page 2

The Unemployed in London.

.:■■■■ :, ■'#■?;■ Riotous (Demonstration —G c oyERNM,isNT

Offices Besieged.

A late English newspaper records that an extraordinary scene was witnessed at the offices of the Local Government Board in connection with a deputation of unemployed workmen, who sought to obtain an interview with Sir Charles Dilke with the view of urging the Government to institute public works in order to give employment to the thousands of men seeking it. The deputation, accompanied by some three thousands persons with bands and banners, marched to the Government offices and caused considerable tumult in the neighborhood. Several of the deputations forced their way into the Local. Government Board Office, and were received by Mr G. W. Russell, M.P.' Permanent Secretary, in the absence of Sir Charles Dilke, who was attending a Cabinet Council. After hearing the views of the deputation, Mr Russell said the Board , could do nothing for them. The crowds outside were, in the meantime, addressed i by several speakers. ' ; Another account says:— A very stormy scene took place on Monday afternoon outside the offices of the Local Government Board. The Democratic Socialistic , Federation had called a meeting of unemployed workmen, and a deputation was appointed to obtain an interview with Sir Charles Dilko in order to urge the | Government to institute publio worka so i as to assist the unemployed. After marching down Parliament street from the Embankment, with red flags and banners inscribed with " We demand the right to work" and similar mottoes, the .crowd proceeded to Downing street and broke through the cordon of police who are stationed at the end of the Street.. The individuals who had been selected as the deputation made their way into the Local

Government Board Office, where they were received by Mr Russell, the Permanent Secretary, in the absence of Sir Charles Dilke, who was attending a Cabinet Council. Mr Russell listened to the spokesman of the deputation, but pointed out that the Board was unable to ' assist them. Meanwhile the crowd oatside, which numbered about three thousand, was being addressed by sereral improvised speakers, and considerable excitement prevailed. When the deputation returned with the information that they had been unable to see Sir Charles Dilke, and that the authorities would do nothing for them, the agitation of the crowd broke out into violent tumult. They rushed down the street in front of Mr Gladstone's house with shouts and angry gesticulations. The Cabinet Council had been sitting for some twenty minutes when the- disturbance arose, and all the gates which led to the Foreign Office quadrangle were immediately j closed. Messengers, were despatched for reinforcements of police, and these soon arrived on the "scene from King street station, under the direction of Superintendent Geron, and quickly dispersed the , mob. Before Downing street was cleared, however, one of the Queen's messengers opened a window and a heavy pipe was immediately thrown at him, which struck him on the forehead and hurt him somewhat severely. The mob continued to hang about the Home Office shouting, hissing, and assuming a generally defiant attitnde. Presently they turned round,after making disrespectful demonstrations outside the Chapel . Royal, and endeavoured to go round to the. Board of Trade offices. This the police prevented them from doing, and finally they moved along Whitehall Piace and passed on to the embankment. The incident csuied considerable anxiety at the various Government offices and created great alarm in the neighborhood. The gates of the several establishments are now closed and are well guarded by a. strong fore* of police. , . -i

A disgraceful hoax has been perpetrated in London, resulting in riotous proceedings. It appears that an advertisement was published in a daily paper stating that 40 or 50 men were required by Messrs Roberts and son, builders, Lordship lane, East Dulwich, to dig trenches, &c. .Nearly . 2CO men, some of them provided with spades and pickaxes, put* in an appearance, And found that the advertisement in question' was a hoax. Many of them had travelled long distances, and were naturally indignant at finding themselves the victims of a practical joke. Notwithstanding that the foreman explained the matter to the men, some thing closely approaching a riot took place. Windows were broken, a vast number of chimneypots in the yard were smashed, ..some scaffold ing removed, and a considerable amount of damage done.- Some time ' elapsed before the -men could- be got away,, and Messrs Roberts. generously announced that they would not take'legal proceedings considering the provocation and exceptional circumstances'- of the -• case, One man had his arm broken.