Semi-weekly interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1881-1905, 1883-10-09

OONhaR'Na e"ee thC AVttVWihE 10
ter from Gov. Knott to the sheriff 0
Carter county, who asked for troops :
sist in preserving order at the execu
ton Of Graft next Friday will toucl
q responsive chord in in heart o
every law-lover and taxpayer in tn
State, wegive il in foil. II point
ed and statesman.like document wor
thy Of the closest perusal by every
body the officers especially:
"SrR: have carefully considereC
your communication, which reached
me on yesterday, and have to say in
reply that in my judgment the cir.
cumstances do not justify me in order
ing company Of the State Guard to
assist at the execution Of Ellis Craft
on the 18th inst. as you request. |
most heartily commend your determi-
nation TO do all in yonr power TO pre-
serve the peace on that decision, and
have no doubt that by judicious use
Of the means authorized by law you
will be able TO do so without Difficult.
ty, and If you should do 80 you will
set an example TO the peace officers Of
the Commonwealth, which is much
needed in some localities, and will have
a most salutary effect throughout the
State. The people everywhere should
realize that they must rely upon the
law and not military force for protec-
ton, and that If they would be secure
in their persons and property they
must not only abstain from violating
the laws themselves, but cheerfully
assist in their enforcement. If any
one should threaten TO interfere with
the performance of the disagreeable
duty which by law has devolved on
you, have him promptly arrested and
bound over to keep the peace. Or if
he should take any steps towards car.
rying his threat into execution, have
him held to answer an indictment for
resisting your authority, As you are
aware, you are empowered to call up.
on every citizen in your county TO as
sist you, and that any one failing to
obey your summons is liable to be
fined for misdemeanor. Let it be dis
tinctly understood that you intend to
do your duty, and that those whom
you call upon for aid shall perform |
their duty, or suffer the penalty, and
l feel sure you will not be materially
interfered with. Should you be, how
ever, take prompt measures TO bring
the guilty parties to justice and vindi-
cate the majesty Of the law through
its regularly constituted authorities,
and you will have rendered service
to the State which cannot be overesti-
mated. But independent of substitu
ting military power for the ordinary.
machinery Of the law, unless in case
of extreme emergency, the questions
Of economy is one which should
not be entirely overlooked. The
expenses Of company of militia
for the time required would prob
ably amount to 81, 800 or $4,000,
which ought not to be taken from the
treasury unless the circumsta
clearly demand it. The mere matter
Of expenses, however, would not de.
Ter me from complying with your re-
quest if i thought the public interest
required it; but i am clearly of the |,
opinion that ordering out company
Of MALTA, as suggested, would really
have a deleterious effect, and trust
that your fearless and determined per.
formance of your duty with the means
you are authorized by law to invoke
or your assistance will fully demon.
trate the capacity of the civil power
% enforce the law and preserve the
,sace without recourse to the militia.
y. With regard to your guard, the
auditor cOncurs with me that you are
lot limited to one for the purpose re.
Iuired, but that your Circuit Court
las full power. to allow you pay for
additional guards that may be reason.
bly, necessary, and upon its certifi
ate of such allowance the Auditor
Vould pass upon the account for pay
nent."
TuONAa TrvTa n how Of "a Who'll