The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-10
FRANKLIN NEGROES RESOLVE.
They Assert Their Rights as Cftfzens
and Defend the Shooting.

franklin, July s-The following resolutions
have been drawn up by the committee appointed
ior the purpose Ct the meeting of colored men
held On Monday evening:
WHEREAS, The colored miners OF Franklin
nave been misquoted and misrepresented
through the press by the evil influence or the
so-calied Western Central Labor Union and their
coagitasors, SO that they have placed our social,
moral and intellectual standing IN very ques-
tlonaole light; and, as il Is welLknown fact
that the shores OF America are and always have
osen open to the free immigration of the people
OF All nations OF the earth that they are allowed
70 locate in any state or territory of the United
States without question molestation and
they are protected by the laws of the United
states, why question the night OF the negroes 10
do likewise, since it is known 10 be q fact that
eacn and every one of them are natIve-oorn
American citizens.
WHEREAS, We have been the objects of threats
and menaees that were thrust at Us from time to
time, showing conclusivsiy that our lives were
II danger OF actual violence, which became
fact on the morning of June 3, when one of our
number was ruthlessly shot in the dark " bile
III the discharge of his duty by one OF nine cow
ardly assassins armed to the teeth, this and
other acts compelled US to act upon the de-
Resolved, That the allegations made by the
striking miners that the negroes were an IN
civilized class OF beings, unit TO become civil
lied citizens and that they were liable TO attack
Peacefully dis posed citizens and commit outrage
and murder, are false in every particular, and
without foundation in fact In proof oil the
lie 70 the testimony of the following named gen.
tlemen: C. P. Williams, chairman; J. w. Evans,
secretary; committee, James II. Orr, II. T.
Brunson, J. NJ. Boyd.
Ny opinion 10 that the colored people Of
Franklin are disposed TO be pssceable and law
abiding. w. p. WILLIAMS.
Approved. J. B. TRoUTMAs.
The Hon. James H. Woolery, sheriff of King
county, said, after q careful Investigation, that
he could see nothing to warrant the false state
ments of the striking miners, and the Hon
General Curry aequiescsd IN the same opinion;
and
WHEREAS, On the evening Of the same day
that the said man was shot q train on the
Columbia & Puget Sound railroad was fred
upon by cowardly assassins in ambush, said
train having on board party of men returning
from the Newcastle mines, in the employ OF the
Oregon Improvement Company, who, believing
themselves In danger, fired back into the
bushes, from whence the firing came; and
simultaneously firing began on the hill at the
east end OF the camp, by the striking miners,
causing the colored miners in self-defense to
IRE back, the results of which no one deplores
more than we do.
And now since the state and civil authorities
have asserted their rights to disarm US and
claim that they can and will protect US, as law
abiding citizens we have laid down our arms
and now we demand the protection OF our rights
and citizenship by said authorities from all out
side interference.
Reselued, That we ask the suspension Of pub
lie opinion until all the facts have BEEN
thoroughly investigated and the blame placed
where IL justly belongs. feeling assured OF the
fact that not only we but Mr.. I. B. Corey will
be INDICATED when all the facts concerning the
mining trouble of the Oregon Improvement
Company are made known TO the pubic.