New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-23
A TRUCE IN TENNESSEE.
GOVERNOR BUCHANAN HAS A CONFERENCE
WITH THE MINERS.
HE WILL SUMMON THE LEGISLATURE TO ACT ON
THE CONVICT LEASE LAW PROVIDED THE
MINERS CEASE THEIR LAwLEssNEss
FOR AN ANSWER

WAITING FOR AN ANSWER.
Knoxville, Tenn, July 22.-It is pretty gen.
orally decided tonight that there is little fear
that blood will have to be shed in the mining
region Governor Buchanan reached the city
this morning from Nashville and as soon as he
breakfasted began bis work to smooth the tangled
slein. He first called his militia officers into his
consultation room and listened to their reports.
Later on prominent citizens of Knoxville and
friends Of the Governor were admitted. The
Governor listened TO all suggestions, evidently
wanting the fullest possible discussion of the
situation in all its aspects At this afternoon, by
appointment, he met the committee of the miners,
and the commission of five named by the miners.
The session lasted for several hours,
and at the end the Governor announced
his decision. He stated that before he left Nash
Vile be .iad 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 special session he will embody a
recommendation to the Legislature that the con-
vict lease system be modified il not repealed. In
the meanwhile pending the election, the convicts
must be returned to the Bricevile mines from
which they had been cvicted. II the miners
agree not TO moleet them until such time as the
LEGISLATURE may act the militia will be sent
home.
The committee from the miners, although hav-
ing power to act, reached the conclusion that
the decision of the Governor should be laid Of
fcally before the miners as whole, and the
Governor was so informed.
The committee will leave here for Coal Creek
early in the morning. mass-meeting of miners
will he held at IL o'clock, Immediately upon its
arrival. and the matter will be definitely de-
cded. The committee will return tomorrow after
noon at ) As to inform the Governor OF the re-
suit. Those best acquainted with the mountsin
Deople believe that the miners will be willing to
leave the matter TO the legislature and will give
the required promises II they do not the con-
victs will be returned to Coal Creek, and with
them the militia. II the force is not large enough
to guarantee protection to property and the safe
working of .ne convicts the United States will
be called upon for force Of regu-
lars The sensational matter sent out about
threatened riot to-day at Briceville Is all
nonsense There is nobody in Briceville for the
miners to fight The militia and the convlctS and
the guards are all in Knoxville. There is not
man in Bricevie, nor has there been since Monday,
who is not miner or a friend of the miners. To-
morrow is anxiously awaited by Governor Bu-
chanan He is interested in it as no other man
be, for all the DeSt lawyers DelleNe lndt III
calling out the militia, he has exceeded his power.
The consttu of the State is plainly against
him. The clause relating to the militia is as fol
lows:
The militia shall not be called into service except In
cases OF rebellion or INVASION and then only whan the
General Assembly shall declare by law that the pubic
safety requires It,
Nashville, Tenn, July %" The Banner" has
.he following from Knoxville, Tenn: special
to The Journal from Clinton, Anderson County,
gives an interview with Sheriff Rutherford In
regard to the controversy as to whether he made
application on the Governor for troops. In the
interview he says: u was promptly at the train
when it pulled in, and at the Governors request
deputized the militia subject TO his order,
did not take the militia in charge, simply be-
cause they were commanded by their
own officers | am not military OIL
GER at the same time | am lllng 10
perform any duty which may fall upo- me In the
way of keeping the peace or enforcing the laws.
| have been in the county constantly since the
trouble Of Coal Creek occurred, and have spent
most of the time between here and Coal Creek;
The statement that / have left the county and
am irving TO dodge my duty is absolutely false.
am willing to shoulder all the responsibility that
belongs 10 me, but think Governor Buchanan should
do the same"