The Great Railroad Strike of 1877
Document 4B: Matters at Albany Quiet

Transcription of
The Albany Argus:
Monday, July 23, 1877, Vol. LI, No. 18.986
(original spellings & punctuation maintained)

Editorial Page: THE GREAT RAILROAD STRIKE

Matters at Albany Quiet - Vague Rumors Afloat, but Nothing Definite.

Considerable excitement was manifested in this city yesterday and last night, relative to the great railroad strike. Alarming rumors were prevalent all day and crowds gathered around the telegraph offices devouring with avidity all the rumors and telegraphic reports. Nothing as yet had transpired relative to a strike on the New York Central and Hudson River railroad. One rumor has it that twelve hundred men had gathered at West Albany, which was killed by its own absurdity. It is true that the railroad managers here have been unusually active for the past few days, but this is caused by the enormous amount of freight now passing over the Central railroad. There are more freight cars at West Albany than there has been before at any one time in many years and they are being forwarded to their destination as rapidly as possible. Rumor states that there are now 800 stock cars at West Albany; this fact, however, it was impossible to substantiate last night.

The men at the West Albany shops have stood five reductions, and as far as we can learn do not intend to strike. The above statement was made by a railroad employe, at the telegraph bulletin board yesterday.

An Argus reporter visited West Albany last night, but all was quiet and there was nothing to indicate any trouble.

A rumor has it that Mr. Vanderbilt (owner of the New York Central RR), who is now at Saratoga, has stated that he would rescind the order reducing the pay ten per cent, rather than have a strike. The rumor, however, is not credited, and we give it only for what it is worth.

The bulletins of dispatches displayed in front of the telegraph offices were surrounded by interested groups all the afternoon, and when darkness came on the exciting intelligence was read by the light of matches. Every feature of the situation was anxiously discussed and commented upon, and further extension of the difficulties generally predicted.

Wherever the information was disseminated throughout the city it formed the engrossing topic of conversation, and frequent expressions of sympathy with the violent acts of the strikers were made by persons who evidently took a very superficial view of the matter. The rumors of strikes to take place last night or to-day on the roads passing through this city contributed nothing to allay the excitement, but were listened to with avidity and to some extent credited.