The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-23
q PRIVATE GUARDS.
II Grand Jury Censures the
O. /. Company.
~,eHrs OF THE CORPORATION.
n.~. to Ask for County Protection
Cnarged-A Legislative Act sug-
..sted--Further Indictments.

:. =. sorenoon Yesterday the members OF the
So q a t,rv ,pecfally convened to consider the
e-.-s froubIs, OF King county, appeared be-
-. - honor Judge Richard Osborn and pre-
s..d !. f,rsl report, declared that nothing was
80 tram for further consideration, and were
'ss-.hsrvcd The court took occasion To pay o
zs,shs,te 70 me Jury for true and conscientious
Siseharre Of duty in the important and delicate
~atter under It's direction
Ts,. hiIIs have been found against the follow
go. psrk B. Robinson, in two cases, for man.
.isrsbtef; Albert Frederick, murder in the
Z 49, 6Serss: George Fl. Graham, rape: George NJ.
$500. ABDUCTION. and Richard Bowman, as
s..lf With 4 deadly weapon, and bills were ig-
- In the following cases: James Foley,
-. James WEIGH, obtaining money under false
.rafeuses. and Park B. Robinson, in two cases,
SSSrder in the second dsgree
~ report, which is signed by 4. O. Graves,
u1<nan, goes on to say:
i compliance with the instructions OF the
<1arx we have also Investigated the causes
@S5ch led to the bringing of cciored miners
~ ne county and the manner of their intro
11csion, and the consequences which resulted
6am this action.
M ind that in consequence of the differences
~hieh had arisen between the Oregon Improve
lat Company and its employees the company
Sr1 had under consideration for year the re.
1looemont of the white miners with colored
r}nem from the East. As TO the nature OF these
THrouces and whether they justified the action
z ~ company We do not feel it our duty to ex-
cqen an opinion, believing az We do that 1t Is
ke hight OF the company TO employ whom II
rlosses, % long as in so doing 1t does not COM
"a or cause any violation OF law. In pursu-
40 Of this purpose the company last spring
mt its superintendent TO the East TO hire the
Dored miners required. These men were
kcueht into the state under the escort OF
nmsd white guards, consisting OF men em-
~ nFi u
tffisl Detective Agency" The miners and
Ruards left the Northern Pacific railroad at an
Sniy hour on the morning of May IL at point
me two miles distant from the mine, and
11fchsd through the woods to Franklin. This
n6fy consisted of upward of 400 negroes, at least
finety OF whom were armed with carbines and
nany with reyolvers, and ~ about forty so
m,led sullivan guards" all of whom were
Gmsd We find that no notice was given to the
s0unty authorities of the intention to bring into
De county this large body OF armed men, and
hat no request had been made of the authori-
lies for the protection OF Its property and en-
Il $50 o'clock in the morning. The colored
miners were forthwith placed at work and
udead-ifne" established around the companys
Without authority. It appears that though
there was less difficulty between the company
md it, miners at Franklin than elsewhere, that
place was selected for the first introduction OF
eioTed miners because 1t could be more easily
attended In case of attack. II appears also that
ne village was in state of profound peace
vhsn the new miners marched In, and that
thsir entry was In no way opposed.
We are satisfied fIom the testimony before us
hat the employment OF armed men by the Ore
eon improvement Company, at least so far az
ths franklin mine is concerned, was i'll advised,
unnecessary and likely to provoke disorder, and
that had the authorities of the county been APP
yealed 70 In the first instance, ample protection
could, and doubtless would have been fur
nished We regard the employment of an
armed force If irresponsible men In the pay of
private company ana not in any way under the
control Of the duly constituted authorities of
ne county, ss not in harmony with free institu-
Hons, and ~ proceeding which ought not to
Be permitted except in case of extreme necss-
sity, whom the ordinary means of civil protec-
ton have failed. We therefore recommend
the early passage by the legislature of an act
prohibiting, under proper penalties, individuals
Or corporations from organizing, maintaining or
employing an armed body OF men, thus making
operative the proyiso to section "a of the consti-
tuition Of the state. f. o. GRAVES,
Foreman OF the Grand Jury.