Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-12-31
Gov. o,Eeu,,. y,,,, 70 o,e,,r,.

Gov O'Neal with Attorney General
Tompkins and w. Z. Hutcheson, record
ing secretary, returned, says the Advertiser,
TO Montgomery on Thursday night, from
their visit to Opelika, heretofore announced.
The governor, when he arrived at Opeliks,
at once proceeded to the business before him
and sent for the sheriff, with whom he con-
yersed freely and unressrvedly. He did not
omit to reprimand that official in appropri-
ate terms for his delay in responding 20 his
kilograms, and apparent want of promptness
in the discharge of his duty. He then
Instructed the sheriff to select a humber of
good non-partisan citizens, interested in the
preservation Of the peace, as special deputies.
The sheriff brought in eleven who were
sworn in by the probate judge, and were
duly instructed as to the duties incumbent
on them. Gov. ONeal also had 4 lengthy
interview with President Lightfoot and the
members OF the commission in regard TO the
situation. The commissioners gave their
We've freely and fully, and the gov
ernor, on investigation, declined to accept
the designations of Messrs Renfro and Nc
Gehee, who consented TO serve as members of
the commission. Attorney General Temp
kins instructed the missioners in their
official duties, and read and explained the
law By which they are to be governed. Mr.
Dunbar, the late mayor, was absent from
the city, having left for Athens Tuesday
night, or Wednesday morning, but some OF
his friends asked the governor 10 make a
concession SO far as to appoint two of Dun
bars sympathizsrs as members of the COM
mission. This the governor cosrteously but
firmly declined to do, stating th at in his official
capacity he knew no party or faction to the
existing troubles. He could make no con.
cession, his purpose being the re EST ablish-
ment OF Law snd order, and the impartial
selection OF citizens who would look TO its
enforcement. With regard to the resort to
the military, which had been requested, the
governor stated that he had already in
strucied the sheriff as TO the discharge of
his duties; that he held him responsible
for the preservation of the peace of the
city, and il wac his duty to sustain
the commission by all the power at
his command. The governor gave all 10
understand that he could not, nor would not,
send troops TO the city unless as the dernier
resort; that the civil authorities must first
exhaust every resource before he would feel
authorized to take such step. The COM
missioners and the sheriff were left under
the assurance and impression that they must
depend on the power and resources with
which the law has invested them; that the
governor required and expected that the
law shall and must be enforced.
The governor and attorney general hope
and believe that their visit will result 10
good, and after a review and investigation
Of the situation in person, returned to Mont
gomery with the conviction that the troubles
which have unhappily disturbed the peace |
At Opelika are not likely to occur again |
This conviction is also fully shared BY the |
of the city. In addition to the |
special deputies sworn IN, there is a city |
marshal and the sheriff's regular deputy, |
Fho will cooperate in upholdiDg the law.