Washington

This article from the July 28, 1877 issue of the Pittsburgh Daily Post notes the actions of the federal government in response to the strike at this point, including instructions to military commanders and the president's policy.

WASHINGTON.
Labor Troubles Again Considered by the Cabinet.
All Reads Importuning Aid From the Government.

THE GOVERNMENT YESTERDAY.

WASHINGTON, July 27.-The Cabinet, for about an hour and a half to-day, considered the labor troubles. The telegrams showed the condition of affairs throughout the country to be more hopeful. It was determined that additional instructions should be issued to the military commanders to insure the utmost watchfulness and immediate action in case of an outbreak. Brevet Major General John Pope, commanding the Department of Missouri, is the senior officer in the military division of Missouri, and during the absence of Lieutenant General Sheridan will consult with Adjutant General Drum and General Sheridan's staff as to the plans and movements of the troops, etc. General Pope has been ordered to Chicago, and will leave Fort Leavenworth immediately.

CALL FOR MORE BONDS.

The treasury Department to-day issued the fifty-third call for the redemption of 5-20 bonds of 1865. The call is for ten millioe [sic] dollars of consols, of which three millions are registered and seven millions coupon bonds; the principal and interest is to be paid at the Treasury on and after 27th of October next, and the interest will cease on that day.

AS TO THE PRESIDENT'S POLICY.

All roads are importuning the President, not only to protect their property from mob violence, but also to open their roads for travel, which would require an army ten times as large as the Government now has. The Cabinet again met to-day, but no further movement of any kind was decided upon. The policy of the President will be to protect property and keep the peace. It is not his present intention to use troops to any further extent than to see that the mails are given the right of way, and he is convinced that this service is impeded more by the railroads than by the strikers. The fact that the Erie Railroad to-day decided to rescind the order reducing the wages, is regarded here as the beginning of the end of the troubles; and beside that other companies will take a similar course. There is a good deal of excitement over the news from Chicago, and the Administration is somewhat alarmed over the serious turn affairs have taken in that city. The President is in receipt daily of a number of letters advising him what he ought to do in the present emergency, but the writers disagree very materially in suggesting the proper remedy. Many of these letters are the merest drivel, and evidently the emanation of rattle-brained Socialists who have a panacea for every social ill. Each mail also brings to the President letters congratulating the Administration for the decisive effort it has already put forward to restrain the mob and preserve the peace.

THE LABOR LEAGUE DISCOURAGE RIOTERS.

WASHINGTON, July 27.-The Central Council of the Labor League of the United States, with headquarters in this city, to-day transmitted a petition to the President of the United States urging steps to be taken immediately to end the present labor troubles and restore traffic, law and order. They oppose any compromise with actual rioters or those countenancing riot.

The strikers have received instruction from the Postmaster General that the Government's contract with the railroad companies is to carry the mails on passenger trains only.