Waterbury evening Democrat., 1888-08-20
DEFIANT "WHITE CAPS"
THEY WILL RESIST STATE lN-
 PREFERENCE WITH DEATH,
An Effort, However, Will be Made tO Bring the Outlaws to Justice-The
 Return of Attorney Kitchener.


 Bring the Outlaws to Justice-The
 Return of Attorney Kitchener.
 INDIANAPOLIS, Aug o-Attorney-Gen- eral Kitchener, who has just returned from the White Cap section, says:
 II have not the slightest doubt that there IS such an organization as the White Caps, and powerful one at that. In Harrison County it is thought the outrages are of a spontaneous nature. Where q citizen has not acted properly q party of neighbors gather and whip him, but in Crawford County, there seems to be a strong cen- tral organization, with a well-maintained system of communication with numerous branches. In this way they manage to have man punished by strangers who come from another neighborhood for tho purpose"
 "What did you find to be the sentiment of people in relation to the matteE ?"
 Ut IS now very encouraging. Until re- gently the better class of people rather looked on the performances of the vigilant as irregular but, upon the whole, salutary, and seemed to think that only those per- sons were punished who richly deserved that treatment. Of late, however, there have been some such glaring cases of cru city and such continual reports of white
 
 springing up in favor of ferretlng out the leaders in the outrages and bringing them to punishment. 1 held many conf dental conversations with citizens of the regions where the outrages have been most numerous, and under my pledge not to reveal their identity they talked very freely of the matter. 1 find that many whippings and other punishments have been Inflicted which have never been rEN1 had NhN. Fr fOp &011 them. Then the chastisements are usually for very trif1ing offenses and are severe, out of all proportion to the infraction of order committed by the victims. The press in many instances have given direct sup port to the regulators, and have published their mysterious notices and warnings for them. Much of the blame for the extent to which the outrageous proceedings have been carried is doubtless due to this posi- tion of tho papers,"
 "Do you think there is any method by which these things may be proven and their perpetrators brought to justice 2'
 "Yes, believe there is. shall submit secret report to the Governor in which shall offer suggestions that will accomplish that end if followed, feel confident"
 The action Of the Governor has been mo- tioed by the White Caps, and the following proclamation has been issued:
 "ON THE Ono, Aug. s, 1888. Q ''To ALL 'WHITE CAPs': <4xs ''It has boen announced Tn the public press that Gov. Gray has seen fit to inter fere with our organization in answer to the clamorous lies which have been circulated concerning our organization. As our own counties are the best judges of the course of the White Caps, aqd they have not in ter posed their authority to moIest us this interterence upon the part of the State authorities is unwarranted and uncalcd for. We are willing to be judged by our own acts and by our own neigh bors and fellow-citizens, but declare our unal terable opposition to the invasion of our counties by the minions of Gov. Gray ln order to persecute the "White Caps" IL has therefore been decided to resist this interference, if necessary with blood, and the first one of our men bers who is sub jected to injustice shall either be released aVenged.n