The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1891-07-25
The Governor Will Call an Extra
Session of the Legislature to
Amend the Law.
In tile Meantime the COnvicts Will be
Returned to Work i'm the
Coal Mines.
COAL CREEK AFFAIRS.
Governor Buchanan Submits "A Proposi-
ton to the Miners.


KNOXVILLE, July %. 1t is pretty gen.
orally decided tonight that there is little
to fear that blood will have to be shed in
the mining region. Governor Buchanan
reached the city this morning from Nash
vile and as o as he breakfasted he
began his work to smooth the tangled
skein. He first called his militia officers
INTO a consultation room and listened to
their reports. Later on prominent citi-
zens of Knoxville and friends of the GOV
ernor were admitted. The governor
listened to all suggestions. evidently
wanting the fullest possible discussion of
the situation in all its aspects. At 3
clock this afternoon. by appointment.
he met the committee of miners men
toned in last nights dispatches and the
commission of five named by the miners,
Inc session lasted for several hours and
at the end he oun his decision.
lie stated that before he left Nashville
he had decided to call an extra session
OF the legislature and had already made
a call FOR an election to fill vacancies in
the Legislature. In his call for a specini
session he will cmbody a reccommenda-
ton to the legislature that the convict
lease system be modified, if not repealed,
In the meanwhile pending the election
convicts must be returned to the Brice-
vile mines. from which they had been
evlctcd. III the miners were not to mo-
lest them until such time as the legisla-
ture may act the militia will be sent
home.
The committee from the miners. al
though having the power to act. con
that the decision of the governor
should be laid officially before the miners
as a whole and the governor was so in
formed. The committee will leave here
Tor Coal Creek early in the morning. A
~mass-meeting of miners will be
held at IL o'clock, Immediately
upon it's arrival and the matter will be
definitely decided. The committee will
return tomorrow afternoon at 5:45 to
notify the governor. Those best ac-
aualnted with the mountain people be-
ileve the miners will be willing to leave
the matter to the legislature and will
give h required promises. If they do
not the convicts will be returned to Coal
Creek and with them the militia. II the
force is not large enough to guaranty
protection to property and the safe work
ing OF the cOnvicts the United States
VIII be called upon for a force of regulars.
Reports about threatened riot today at
Briceville are without foundation. There
Is nobody in Briceville for the miners to
hght., The militia and convicts and
guards are all in Knoxville. There is
not a man in Briceville nor has there
been slnce Monday who is not a
miner or IA friend of the miners.
Tomorrow is anyiously awaited by Gov
ernor Buchanan. He is interested in it
as no other man can be. for all the best
lawyers believe that in calling out the
militia he has exceeded his powers. The
constitution Of the state is very plainly
against him. The clause relating to the
militia is: "The militia shall not be called
out into service except in cases of re-
bellion or invasion, and then only when
the general assembly shall declare by
law that the public safety requires it,"