The American railroad strikb appears to have ended, but a
new and serious one has been begun by the Pennsylvanian colliers, who have occupied Scranton, nearly killing the Mayor, have seized the Lehigh Valley Road, and attempted to upset a train convey- ing the Governor of the State and some troops. It is reported that all available Federal troops will be forwarded to the State, and Governor Hartranft himself takes the command. There are, however, but 5,000 men in the Eastern and Middle States, and they are getting worn out with overwork, while there is a reluctance, as yet not quite explained, to call out the State Militia. President Hayes has acted with great decision, and no Governor in the disturbed States has failed him, but in spite of reassuring statements, it is by no means certain that the troubles are over. The number of unemployed men in the large- towns is very great, they are to a large extent, foreigners ; and they do not see why in a Republican country they should starve. For months past American journals have been full of complaints of the outrages committed by bands of armed tramps, who wander from town to town demanding food and money. Even in orderly States like New Jersey it has been necessary for the townspeople to turn out, armed, as Vigilance Committees, and compel these bodies to "move on." All this points to the exist- ence of serious distress, which is aggravated by the arrival of every emigrant ship and by the effects of every new Protective tax.
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