Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1891-07-23
MINERS ON TOP.
Elated Over the Departure of Con-
victs and Troops.
GOVERNOR BUCHANAN IN A BOX.
The Absence of the Sheriff Leaves Him
Powerless to Act-Desire to AboI-
ish the Convict Lease
System.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn, July 22.-The
meeting of miners which was called for
noon yesterday at Coal Creek adjourned
late in the afternoon. When the men
first assembled there were a few hot
heads who began to talk about fire,
but they were outsiders and not min
ers- The miners leaders took posses
sion of the meeting and would not
allow such. There were speeches by a
number of leaders and all of a conser-
vative tone and advising against any
sort of act in violation of the law. The
men said they simply wanted the con-
victs sent away and nothing more nor
less
Finally a resolution was unanimously
passed to appoint a committee of five
to go to Knoxville and Nashville, if
necessary to confer with Gov. Buchanan
and arbitrate the present difficulties.
Commissioner Ford and Assistant Allie
man were invited and asked to go with
the committee.
A resolution was unanimously passed
that each man pledge himself on his
honor that not one dollars worth of
property would be destroyed, and the
company's property should be guarded.
1t was further determined that no one
should offer violence to any one except
in self defense.
There is a sense of relief and quiet
since the meeting. The miners seem
to feel that they are now taking the
proper course. They are as determined
as ever that no convicts shall work
here, and they will release all who
come just so soon as the troops leave.
The committeeman to see the govern
or were selected one at time, as fol-
lows: w. T. Smith, S. Pickering, Sam
uel Moore, John Hardin and Josiah
Thomas They left for Knoxville on
the $40 train and will go on to Nash
vile if necessary. Before leaving
Moore advised the men not to inten-
tionally go where they could be ar
rested, but if caught not to resist, sim
ply submit to arrest and go before a
jury for trial He said he did not fear
but all would be acquitted on trial by
jury.
Committeeman Pickering says no at
tack would have been made on the
troops If they thought there would
have been bloodshed. He says they
had been given to understand by the
militia that they would not resist if at
tackled.
Assistant Commissioner Alleman was
instructed to draw up the resolution
determining not to destroy property
and fire arms, and also to request the
governor to call an extra session of the
legislature to consider how to get rid
of the convict lease system.
One thing which is giving the miners
hope is the statement made that the
governor has no authority to come here
with troops. They say the sheriff will
not call for them, even if their where
abouts were known, and the condition
doesn't exist for moral law, thus leav-
ing the governor powerless to act.
This is the view taken of the situation
by men cool enough to discuss 1t.
1t is reported that Gov. Buchanan has
called on the governor of Georgia for
two companies of infantry and two cars
of artillery with gatling guns Sheriff
Rutherford, of this county, who is
charged with having called on the gov
ernor for troops in the first instance, is
reported to have fed the county. Su-
perintendent Goodwin, who had charge
of convicts here, is also said to have
left in hot haste. At all events neither
are here and their whereabouts are not
known.
BUCHANAN EVIDENTLY LEFT"
NASHVILLE, Tenn, July 22.-The
question as to the governors authority
to proceed to quell the miners riots in
dependently of the civil officers the
sheriff of Anderson county having left
the scene, was under discussion by his
excellency and his official friends all
day.
a ttorney-GeneralP icken arrived yes
terday morning and he and ex-Gov.
Marks were closeted with the governor
for an hour. The Encouragement
then proceeded to draft his opinion and
was occupied with this during the en-
tire day. The paper, which was an ex-
haustive one, was handed to the gov
srnor late yesterday afternoon, but he
and all parties concerned declined to
make a word of it public. Noorders
were issued to the troops, however, and
the governor and Encouragement left
last night for Knoxville.
Although none of the gentlemen in
conference with the governor would
talk, it was learned that Attorney
General Picl1ell takes the position that
Gov. Buchanan was justified by the
law in sending the military to Ander-
son county, in answer to the sheriff's
demand, but that as the sheriff had re-
tired ANONYMOUSLY from the field, the
governor was at the end of his row.
The military can only be used under
civil authority, and in the absence of
the sheriff the troops cannot be utilized
So, unless the sheriff of Anderson coun-
ty comes forward and again asks for
assistance and summons the national
guard as posse, the soldiers will come
marching home.
Gov. Buchanan is very indignant at
the sheriffs failure to uphold the dig
nifty of the law.
Afflicted Arabs.
CAIRO, July 22.-The spread of chol-
ara is increasing at Mecca There