Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1880-09-16
HANCOCK DURING THE RIOTS.

THE RELATIONS or REGULAR TROOPS TO THE
CIVIL AUTHORITIES.
From the New York World. September =
Mr.. Il. II. Mckune, of Scranton,
Pa, who was Mayor of that city dur
ing the railroad riots of 1877, is now
stopping in New York. He was call
ed upon yesterday by a reporter, who
asked him what were his relations to
General Hancock during those days
of trouble. Mr.. McKune said: "At
the time of the riots, which began on
August / 1877, had posse comitdtls
composed of thirty-fve citizens which
had been summoned by my command,
as | believed | had powers equal TO
those of the sheriff. My posse went
on duty on August |. On the morn
ing of the second two regiments of
State troops arrived, and on the third
one or two companies Of regulars. BY
the 10Th of August there was n regi-
ment of State troops and n regiment
of regulars stationed at Scranton by
Governor Hartranft for my assistance
if they should be needed. The fact
that there were Federal and State
troops stationed in the town raised a
question with me as to how / should
use them. Maj. Morrow commanded
the Federal troops, and he did not
feel willing to give me such informa-
ton regarding 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 Mayor of the city in
relation to the Federal troops station
ed in the city as would enable me to
perform my duties. In answer he sent
me the following letter:
"' HEADquARTERs
MILITARY DIVISION OF THE ATLANTIC,
NEw YoRE, August 20, 1877,
{" TO Hon. n. II. lfcRme, Mayor Of
Scranton, Pa.
"SrR: have the honor to nc.
knowledge the receipt of your commu.
nication of the 10th inst.
1.-The United States troops were sent
to Scranton, on the application of the
Governor of the State, to assist in pre-.
serving the peace. They were reported
to the Governor and are subject to the
same legal service as the State troops
there. They should not be called upon
however, until the civil posse and the
State troops have proved insufficient,
or unless they are insufficient without
the assistance of the Federal troops.
So The commander of the Federal
troops on the spot is responsible for his
legal action in the premises. lie has
been advised on the subject heretofore
and is no doubt fully aware of his du.
ties under all circumstances. do not
wish to embarrass him by giving him
any further advice or instructions,
directly or indirectly. If he wishes
such he will doubtless call upon me for
them.
As the preservation OF order is
primarily in the hands of the Governor
Of the State, think il would be better
for you TO communicate with him when
the circumstances are not of so impera.
tive a nature as TO make 1t necessary for
you TO communicate directly with the
commander Of the troops on the spot.
"Who may be the legal conservator
Of the peace in Scranton whether the
Mayor or Sheriff, or BOTH I cannot
say. That is question of law, and
you aud the commander of the troops
can readily determine 1t. Either the
Mayor or the Sheriff, or both (if they
have co.equal power under the law in
that respect in the cityl have legal au.
thority TO call upon the United States
troops in certain contingencies to assist
in the preservation of the peace. |
am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant. WINFIELD s. HANCOCK,
!" Msior.General U. s. A., Commanding
Division.'n
What was the result of this letter
80 far as you were concerned 7"
"'The Federal troops were with us