Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-07-30
THE CONVICT LABOR WAR.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, July 23.-The
miners meeting at Coal Creek to-day to
hear the committees plan of compro-
mise was attended by about every man
in the valley. Speeches We're made by
j. G. j. Williams. of this city, a candi-
date before the democratic convention
for congressional nomination. and one
or two miners. Gen. Williams urged a
compromise The meeting lasted some
time and it was difficult for the miners
to agree upon Il conclusion.
1t should be remembered that the
governor says there has been no propo-
sltion made by him but that of sustain
ing the law. He was willing, however.
for citizens to see what could be done
to settle the difficulty, as he is warm
supporter of labor but at the same
time the executive of the laws of the
state.
Finally.the miners agreed on a course
of action and drew up resolutions con-
tanning proposition to the governor
This proposition is that the troops
must be taken from Knoxville. The
convictS can be returned to Coal Creek
for sixty days only, and the Legislature
to meet and repeal the convict lease
law. This is briefly the proposition of
the miners, the official document now
being in possession of the committee
which is in conference with Gov Buch-
anan.
The committee arrived here at 6 D. M
1t was universally believed at Coal
Creek yesterday that the citizens pro-
position to the miners would be ac-
ceptcd. Men who have watched the
proceedings closely say it would have
been accepted but for what is termed
the revolutionary speech of Chancellor
Gibson yesterday evening.
Coy. Buchanan Stands Firm for the
Execution OF the Law.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. July 23.-The
conference has broken up and the COM
mittee of miners is much depressed.
They say the governor would do moth
ing at all. Mr.. Ingraham. the man
who has been prominent in the trouble
in Coal Creek, says not soldier will
be harmed if they go to Coal Creek,
but the convicts will he turned loose
just as soon as they leave. He says the
miners are determined that the con-
victs shall not be worked in the mines
Several of the committeeman are very
angry but unite in saying the troops
will not be resisted if they go. This
city is perfectly quiet and orderly and
no trouble of any kind is feared.
One of the most conservative men in
the city says the proposition to Gov.
buchanan from the miners was an in
suit and that it would have been an in
suit to the state for the governor to
have agreed to open violation of the
law, and more than that he has no
power to do so if he desired it.
Gov. Buchanan has just been seen
and asked if he would order the militia
to Coal Creek tomorrow. He replied
by saying that the law would be car
ried out. This is construed, in the light
of all foregoing statements, to mean
that the troops will move in the morn
ing.
The convicts here are poorly pro-
vided with accommodations The build
ing is large, with three stories, but it
does not allow sufficient sun for 100
men and has poor sanitary accommoda-
tionS.
In speaking of the miners PROPOSE
ton a warden says there is no place
now to take the convicts as the peni-
Tertiary building was burned some
months ago, and it will cost the state
500, 600 to rebuild.
There Is TO doubt of an extra session
of the legislature, and conservative sem
timent says that the miners must wait
until the Legislature can meet and eX-
press the wish of the people of the
state. 1t is agreed that it Is a hardship
for free labor to be brought in contact
with convict labor. On the other hand
the operators say there is plenty of
work for all who will work. Laboring
people say the serious objection to the
lease system is that no one can tell
when it will end unless some stop is put
to it at once.
The Powers of the National Executive if
Invoked.
WASHINGTON, July 24.-Since the
question has risen of sending United
States troops to Tennessee should a re-
quest be made for them by the govern
or of the state, army officers have been
examining the legal side of the ques-
ton. and doubt is expressed if troops
will be sent if asked for. The consti-
tuition provides that the president
may render necessary assistance with
troops upon the application of the
legislature or the executive of the
state when the legislature can not be
convened. This is understood not to
be the case in Tennessee at present.
The revised statutes makes it the duty
of the militia or the land and naval
forces. or either, or by other means as
he may deem necessary, for the sup
preston of domestic violence, opstruct-
ing the laws of the United States or of
the state. when tending to deprive the
people of the state of the privileges
United States. 1t is also held that the
president has large discriminating
power IN acting upon applications for
troops and must first satisfy himself
upon the legality of the demand as well
as upon the points of necessity and
equity This makes it by no means
certain that if the application is made
it will be granted.
VIII Not be n Sun Fired.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, July 2t-At 1880
o'clock this morning there is scarcely "a
doubt but that the troops will move to
Coal Creek this morning. Gen. s. +.
Carnes of Memphis, is the command
ing officer. 1t is reported That tw"
(iatlinr guns will be mounted on fat
cars and thus the force will enter Coal
Creek Company L. of Nashville. has
to man the Calling guns,
but there is not much danger of any
and unless melting speeches