The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-11-06

men In disguise, taken out of his bed, and car
rled about five miles into the country TO a
smiths shop, where he was stripped, tarred
and teathered, burnt in several places with
hot irons, and set at liberty at daylight to find
his way home in this condition. In this out
rage some individuals of high standing and con-
sideration in the community were said to be en-
gagged. Soon after, person of the name of
RossBERRy was tarred and feathered for ex-
pressing himself in favor of the law; and an
| armed band seized and carried off two persons
who were witnesses in WILSON'S case. Many
| attempts were made about the same time against
the person of General NEVILLE, an inspector,
to compel him to resign his office.
These things We're permitted to pass without
notice by the Executive; and on the 9th of
May, 1892, an act was passed by Congress
| reducing the duties to a very moderate rate,
and making other changes favorable to the dis
tilers
| The effect of this course was for while ia
| vorable, but the agitation was soon renewed
The act of 1892 required the establishment of
an office for collection in every county. Threats
| and actual violence were resorted to, to prevent
the establishment of these offices, and it be-
came almost impossible to find suitable places
for them. After much difficulty, General Ne
VILE succeeded in obtaining for this purpose
the house of Captain FAULKNER, of the United
States army, in Washington county. This
gentleman was soon after assaulted by mob; a
knife was put to his throat, and his captors
| threatened that they would scalp, tar and fea-
ther him. and burn his house, unless he would
prevent its further use as an office He was
| compelled to make the promise.
| meeting was soon after held, at Pittsburg,
of persons styling themselves sundry inhabi-
tants of the western counties of Pennsylvania,
who passed resolutions condemning internal
taxes, and concluding with the sentiment that
| they think it their duty to ''persist in remon-
strances to Congress, and in every other legal
measure that may obstruct the operation of the
law" Committees were appointed to prepare
memorial to Congress urging repeal of the
law; to correspond with similar committees in
other counties; if necessary, to call meetings of
| the people; and, lastly, to declare that they
will, in future, consider those who hold offices
for the collection Of the duty as unworthy their
friendship, that they will have no intercourse
or dealings with them, will withdraw from
: them every assistance; withhold all the com
s forts of life which depend upon those duties
that, as men and fellow citizens, we owe each
other, and will, upon all occasions, treat them
with contempt, earnestly recommending to
Z the people at large to follow the same line of
conduct towards them.'
All these proceedings of hostility were re-
ported by the Secretary of the Treasury to Pre-
sident WASHINGTON, who issued an admonitory
proclamation on the 9Th of September, 1892
1t earnestly admonshed ''and exhorted all per-
sons whom it might concern to refrain and
desist from all unlawful combinations and pro-
ceeding whatsoever, having for their object,
or tending to obstruct the operations of the
laws aforesaid; inasmuch as all lawful ways
and means would be put in execution for
| bringing to justice the infractors thereof, and
| securing obedience thereto: and charged and
| : required all courts, magistrates. and officers
whom IT might concern, according to the du-
ties of their several offices, to exert the powers
in them respectively vested by law; and there
by also enjoined and required all persons
whomsoever, as they valued the welfare of
their country, the just and due authority of
government, and the preservation of the pub
lie peace, to aid and assist therein according
to law " 1t likewise directed that prosecu-
tons should be instituted against the offenders
in all cases where the law would support
them, and the requisite evidence could be OBJ
tanned.
No prosecution was commenced against the
persons who took part in the Pittsburg meeting,
from doubt on the part of the Attorney Gen
eeral whether their proceedings contained in
dictable matter. Indictments were found against
two persons supposed to have been engaged in
the attack on FAULKNER but the testimony was
not sufficient to convict them, and the matter
was dropped.
This result emboldened the agitators; the
outrages were renewed; and the efforts TO pre-
vent the establishment of inspection officers re-
doubled. In April, 1893, the house of WELLS.
a collector Of the excise in Fayette county. was
attacked by party Of armed men in disguise.
WELLS was absent, bat his house was broken
open, and his family were menaced and abused
Warrants were issued for the apprehension of
the rioters. The sheriff refused TO serve them
for which he was afterwards indicted; but the
rioters escaped.
In June, Mr.. Inspector NEVILLE was
burned in effigy in Allegheny county, on a pub
lic election day, in the presence Of the mapis-
trates, without any interruption from the au-
thorities. In November, another party of armed
men in disguise went to the house of WELLS
and compelled him, under threats of death. to
surrender his commission and his official books.
and ordered him to publish his resignation
within two weeks. In January, 1894 the
barns and grist-mils Of certain unpopular per
sons were burned or otherwise destroyed. and
they were ordered to publish an account of their
sufierings in the Pittsburg Gazette. These
scenes continued till, on the 9TH Of June. 1894.