oration laws. Holding a sheet
of paper in his hands he read, "The Harrisville Iron & Steel Company
claims the fundamental right to manage its own business in its own way,
in accordance with and under the protection of the laws of the land."

The board voted its approval of the attorney's position, and also voted
that a petition be drawn and immediately sent to the mayor of the city
asking protection for their property. The board then adjourned.

Colonel Harris, his manager, and Mr. Webster entered a carriage, and
drove rapidly to the mayor's office, while superintendent George Ingram
drove back to the steel works to execute his orders, though he did not
believe in harsh measures. Harris presented the petition to the mayor,
who hastily examined it. Bands of music were now audible on the street,
and a long procession of workingmen, bearing national banners, was seen
marching towards the city hall. Citizens on the streets held their
breath, and policemen feared the outcome.

Colonel Harris rose to go, but the Mayor seized his arm and said,
"No! you and your friends must stay here and meet a committee of your
employees who have an appointment with me at three o'clock.

"Already I have said to the same committee, who called at ten o'clock
this morning, that I should expect them to influence your employees to
keep the peace, to aid in protecting your property, to disperse quietly
and remain in their homes. Colonel Harris, please be seated, you and your
friends must remain."

"Well, Mr. Mayor, since you insist, we will remain, but our company
demands the protection of all our property, and the preservation of peace
and lives in our midst. You are the city's executive officer. The payment
annually by our corporation of thousands in taxes, calls for an
equivalent, therefore we ask that you maintain the dignity of the city
and her laws."

The mayor stepped to the telephone and called Major Strong, the chief of
police. "Send at once a captain and twenty-five policemen in patrol
wagons to the city hall. Hold fifty more men in readiness."

A great throng of people occupied the sidewalks and the windows of
adjoining buildings. Thousands of workmen crowded the pavement from curb
to curb. The vast crowd below, though impressive was not new to Colonel
Harris nor did it alarm him.

Four years before, his employees were out on a strike for several months.
Then the issue was, "Will the company recognize the demands of the
Amalgama