The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1880-09-14
From the N. Y. World. 7th inst.
HANCOCK DURING THE RIOTS.
The Relations of Regular Troops to
the Civil Authorities.

Mr. R. n. McKune, of Scranton. Pa,
who was Mayor OF that city during the
railroad riots of 1877, is now stopping
in New York. He was called upon yes.
terday by reporter, who asked him
what were his relations TO Gen. Hancock
during those days Of trouble. MIR.
McKune said: DAT the time Of the riots,
which began on August !, 1877, / had
posse comitatus composed OF thirty
FIVE citizens which had been summoned
by nv command, as / believe | had
powers equal to those of the Sheriff.
NV posse vert on duty on August l
On the morning of the secona two regl-
ments of State troops arrived, and on
the third one or two companies OF reeu
lars By the 18th of August there was
a regiment of Stale troops and regl-
ment of regulars stationed ut Scranton
by Governor Hartranft for my assist
ance if they should be needed. Tue
fact that there were Federal and State
, troops stationed in the town raised a
question with me as to how l should
use them. Major Morrow commanded
the Fed, raj troops, and he did not feel
willing to give me such Information re-
, garding my right to call upon his troops
, as deemed satisfactory. Therefore on
the 18Th of August | wrote to General
Hancock requesting him to give me
: such information as to my status as
8 Mayor of the city in relation to the
$ Federal troops stationed in the city as
y would enable me to perform mg duties
In answer he scot me the following let
| ter.
HEADQUARTERS
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ATLANTIC}
New YORK, August 20, 1877.
ton, Pa.
n "sSIR: have the honor to acknowl-
edge the receipt of your communication
d of the 16ih inst.
= "'The United States troops were sent
3 to Scranton, on the application OF the
y Governor of the State. to assist in pre-.
a serving the peace. They were reported
e to the Governor and ale subject to the
). same legal service as the State troops
~ there. They should not be called upon
y however, until the civil posse and the
J. State troops have proved insufficient, ol
unless they are insufficient without tht
assistance of the Federal troops.
+. "'The commander of the Fedora
p. troops on the spot is responsible fo
q bis legal action in the premises. HI
I has been advised on the su' ct hereto
m fore and is no doubt fully aware of hi
n, duties under all circumstances. l dt
o not wish to embsrrass him by givinI
te him any further advice or instructions
h. directly or indirectly. If he wishe
v. such be will doubtless call upon me 70
them.
AS the preservation OF order j
primarily in the hands of the Governo
OF the State, l think it wDu'd be bette
t. for you to communicate with him whe
r. the circumstances are not Of so iupeTa
tive o nature as to make it necessary 70
le you to communicate directly with tn
to commander OF the troops Cn the spot.
es "'Who may be the legal conservato
ed of the peace in Scranton whether tn
Y; Mayor or Sheriff, or both) l cannot sag
ly That is question Of law, and you an
or tue commander of the troops can readil
,i- determine it, Either the Mayor or th
ms Sheriff, or both iii they have co-equ'
or power under the law in that respect
We the city, have legal authority to ca
in upon tue United States troops in &C
e; tam contingencies to assist in the pr
we serva,ion Of the peace. am, sir, vel
lot respectfully, your obedient servant, ;.
he WINFIELD S. HANCOCK.
it t" 'Msjor-General U. S. A, Comman
VI. ing Division,
re- "'Whst was the result of this lett
so far as you were concerned 2"
"'The Federal troops were with
rs. about four months. had no need
call upon them. as the State troops we
ted sufficient for the purpose. The FEEDER
Dg troops, however, had great Influence
so preventing disruption by their me
NJ presence. The letter from Gener
I il Hancock was just what wanted. The
ple was no necessity fer my calling up,
les the Federal troops until my own for
pa as Mayor and the State force was exhau
the ted. All of my posse we're indicted {
nd murder on the verdict of the Coroner
VS., jury, and one OF the cases being tried
my a test case. all were acquitted"