The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-10-09
THE VALLEY VIRGINIAN
sTAUNTON, VIRGINIA.
Gov. Mathews and Mob Law.

Gov. Mathews and Mob Law.
We observe in the VALLEY VIRGINIAN
OF the 18th inst q long editorial upon the
subject of mob violence in West Virginia, in
which Gov. Mathews ia sharply arraigned
for direlection OF duty in the matter Of the
disturbances which have taken place during
the past few months along the line Of the
Chesapeake and Ohio Railway. We have
taken the pains to make some enquiry into
this matter, and we have yet to learn where
in Gov. Mathews failed of his duty. We are
informed that no application for interior
ence upon the part of the executive has ever
been made; that he has had nothing before
him to indicate either the unwil!ingness Or
inability of the local authorities TO deal with
these disturbers OF the peace; and that no
communication even has ever been made to
him upon the subject by officer orindividual.
The disturbances at Hinton were made the
subject of investigation by the last grand
jury there, but with what result we are not
as yet informed; and, under the circum-
stances, we do not see that Governor. Mathews
could come to any other conclusion than that
the local authorities at the other points men
toned had taken the proper steps in the
matter. For him to have ordered the State
troops upon mere newspaper report OF mob
violence, without any application from the
local authorities or any complaint against
the local authorities, would have been, in
our pinion. censurable In the highest de-
gree Greenbrier Independent.
We give Gov. Mathews the benefit OF the
defence presented by our contemporary. We
do not question the accuracy OF the state
ment as made, and recognize the force OF
the position taken. But 1t is remarkable
that no formal information has been COM
municated to Gov. Mathews OF the persis-
tent notification OF the laws OF West Viz
ginia. when the deeds Of crime committed
are so fragrant that they attract the attention
of the whole country. 1t will not answer
h, purposes of justice to interpose such
flinsy technical excuse as this. 1t was known
to the Executive, if not through the technl-
cal forms of procedure in communicating in
formation, certainly by common fame, that
mob law rules with an iron hand in por-
ton OF the Third Congressional District OF
the State-that two murders have been COM
united by lynching that important public
industries have been compelled to suspend
operalions that the railroad has been taken
possession of by force. and the nominal au-
thorites OF the vicinase detled and oyer
awed, and other outrages have been COM
mitted in utter contempt Of the dignity ana
nc wer of the Commonwealth. These things
Gov. Mathews cannot be ignorant OF, and
therefore it seems to us, the duty is imposed
upon him to vindicate his authority and the
GOOD name OF the State over which he pre-
sides as Chief Executive. If the SYM
pathes Of the people, where these wrongs
have been perpetrated, are so FAR in accord
with the wrong doers. or they are so much
in fear of the mob as not to feel safe in for
mally communicating Information to the
Governor, that officer should himself insti-
stute such inquiry as would result in moving
the technical obstruction to the vlndication
of the dignity OF his State and protecting the
lives and property of the citizens thereof.
We have no disposition to do Gov. Mathews
injustice. persaaalls we have tl;e highest.ns--
speet for lin.and it Is only in the interest OF
law and order and the security OF property
along the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio
Railroad. that we have feltit duty to call at
tention to affairs in the ion OF country
complained of, This portion Of Virginia is
directly interested in the protection OF vest
ed riuh and the maintenance Of law, in West
Virginia, and it is natural for this reason, II
for no other, that We should direct the att
tention Of the proper authorities to the fla
grant wrongs which have b, en- perpetrated
in territory beyond the jurisdiction of the
authorities of this State. but affecting us as
much as though they had been committed
among us.
There are times " hen officials should take
responsibility, even if the red tape Of stat
mes is not severely observed. The object OF
government is to protect life and property,
and when these are invaded in violation OF
law, the dignity of the Commonwealth In
suited, and the law officers defied or over
awed, the Governor should Use to the i'm
portance OF the situation and maintain his
authority at all hazards.
1t would be no more difficult for him to
become officially cognizant that tho great
est wealth producing district OF his State
was virtually at the mercy OF the mob,
than for him to have learnedthat the m Do had
taken possession OF the "a lroad at Martins.
burg, in 1877. Ocular dem onstration in
that case was the evidence upon which he
acted, in calling upon the President for as
sistance to protect property and enforce law
and the same proof could be furnished him
| to Justify the interposiion of his authority.
if lie would take the trouble to visit the in
| dustries along the Chesapeake and OHIO
Railroad, where important operations haye
been suspended at the command of the mob.
| We hope the Governor himself has not in
spired the flinsy technical excuse our CO.
temporary Of the Independent has present
ed. 1t would be simply trifing with matters
seriously affecting not only the character OF
| his administration, but the vested rights OF
others, and bringing reproach upon the
Commonwealth over which he presides. The
disorders and mob rule exist, and it is his
duty to assert his authority in snppress!ne
hem, in whatever way the information Of
their existence may reach him, and until he
does do SO, a serious reflection will rest up
| on his adAlinslr ition.
| A TRAGEDY IN WEST VIRGINIA.-!n
Gree.btier county, w. Va , last Sunday eve
ming, man named Fredr rick Harvey ap-
preached his stepdaughter, took her by the
hair and told her that be intended to cut hel
throat, and at once plunged a knife in hel
neck. A struggle ensued, in which the cir
was fearfuly cut, receiving six gashes or
her head and neck, two Of which partly sew
cred the windpipe, and several cuts in the