The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1875-01-14

fui necessity of employing troops to enforc,
compliance with law and the wisdom O
providing for like contingencies can no long
er be doubted. Men sinar.ipg under {
sense of wrong, or corporations in pursui,
OF what they conceive to be their rights
sometimes seek their remedy through VIC.
lence and in disregard of the law and its
process. No government can tolerate this
mode of redress and exist The supremacy
of the law must be unques.ioned and Jus,
tice obtained through the proper and es
tablished channels in the manner prescribed
by the people themselves Bodies of men
or corporations have no more constitutional
rights than individuals, and they cannot be
permitted to use their aggregate strength
to procure what is denied to the individual
and what through weakness he could not
obtain. All alike must resort to the law
and abide by its DEGREES, and if there arc
any who refuse and seek to accomplish
their ends in an illegal way, the Executive
power must enforce obedience to authority
without fear or favor, and for this purpose
the Constitution wisely provides body of
citizen soldiery. But if there are grave
emergencies when it becomes necessary to
use troops to secure peace and respect for
law, it certainly never was intended that
the National Guard should constitute a
State police force to perform the duties i'm
posed upon the local civil authorities, and
that upon every breach of order its aid
could be invoked to suppress the affray.
In no event and under no circumstances
should a military force be used until the
power of the civil authorities is exhausted,
and the outbreak assumes proportions of
such magnitude that these officers would
be powerless to overcome it, Two suffi-
cient reasons will at once suggest them
selves for this policy. Our people are sensi-
tive to, and keenly rescntful OF interfer-
ence by any authority that essays to take
the place of their local or home rule, espe-
cially if this Intervention comes in the stern
and unreasoning shape of bayonets and
again, the cost of transportation and SUBJ
sistence of troops involves the State in i'm
mense expense. The civil officers in any sec
ton of the State who, through indisposition,
neglect. fear or any other than an ire
sistible cause, fail to apprehend or make an
effort to apprehend those who transgress
the law and break the peace, are liable to
the outraged law, and should be punished
for their delinquency and citizens who
supinely witness this failure to perform
their duty are morally if not criminaly re-
sponsible for any fatal results that follow
A determination to act with promptitude
and vigor, exhibited at the beginning of
these disorders, would often iutimidate
those concerned therein, and cause them to
abandon their unlawful enterprise. There
fore, if through any remissness or neglect
of duty on the part of the local authori-
ties the State is compelled to adopt the
costly procedure of moving troops to sub
due those engaged in riot, l respectfully
submit whether the county or counties
where this disturbance took place should
not be made to defray the expense? No
apology is necessary for the urgency with
which these views are presented to you,
for it is of vital Importance that the civil
and the whole body of our pco-
pie should have proper understanding of
the uses for which the National Guard are
30 that by no misconception of
duty the safaty Of citizens or the honor of
the State may be imrcrillcd.
RIOT AT ARMSTRONG MINES.
The unfortunate and prolonged conflict
in Westmoreland county, between the Ital-
ian and resident miners, wherein four of
the Italians lost their lives and number
were wounded, is sad Illustration of the
fatal consequences Of want of decision
and energy, when spirit of lawlessness or
disposition to riot discover themselves
The contest between these miners was pro-
tracted over period of weeks, with almost
daily use of firearms. During all this
time, life and property were greatly endan-
gered, the public peace was broken, women
and children were driven from their homes,
and yet inquiry fails to reveal the fact, that
4 single warrant was issued for the arrest
Of any of the parties implicated. There is
nothing to show any efficient interference
on the part of the local authorities to check
these unlawful proceedings, and there is no
evidence that any regular or official investi-
CATION in relation to these troubles were
had, until loss of life made it necessary. II
feel confident that prompt action on the
part Of the authorities in the vicinity would
nave speedily terminated, if not entirely
the disturbance.
STATE ARSENAL.
Under authority conferred by the last
the old arsenal, formerly
tuated on the Capitol hill, was torn down
md removed, and the grounds shaped into
! more symmetrical from. An eligible site
vas purchased for a new arsenal, at short
distance from the city, and the erection of
building thereon commenced without
lelay. This structure now nearly finished,
s handsome and substantial, and admirably
uited to uses for which it is intended. 1t
las superior facilities for the storeage of
rms and munitions of war in large or small
Quantities, contains blacksmith and carpen-
er shops, and the necessary work of an
rscnal can all be done within its walls.
The site secured consists of a gIiIare of