The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-07-24
THE TENNESSEE MINING TROUBLES.
The Talk Of the Interrerences or the Army
In the Local nlhNnrhnnccs.


WASHINGTON. July 23.-ft seems strange to
hear OF discussions among army officers OF the
chances that regular troops may DO called upon
10 take part In the Tennessee convict labor
troubles. The army must certainly not he
used as q posse comita,us. md it's Intervention
In Coal Creek Valley would be employment OF
Just that oort.
Alter tho civil war. when n large regular
force remained. with little for It to do. and
when tho State militia organizations were I'm
perfect. the tendency to call upon the Federal
forces Tor Tho suppression OF local riots md
disturbances which properly belonged to coun-
ties and States was so marke TINT Congress
had to Interfere ltdd SO especially when tho
troops were also called upon to help con rol
elections. The advocates OF centralizatiun
and OF large army had been eager to
encourage tho demands OF Governors for
national troops to perform the most ordi.
nary services In preserving order. To
States that had neglected their militia
systems 1t seemed much cheaper and moro
convenient to have tho regular army do that
sort OF work for them. The result was that ap-
pications we're mRdc for the presence OF
troops on tho ground OF inability to preserve
the reace before there had been an adequate
attempt by the local authorities to help them
solves. This Practice was carried so far. and
its rerversion for 20 itlcnl purposes was SO
perilons. as to cause Congress to mako its up
rrorriations for tho army conditioned on a
proper use OF tie troops. and direct prohibit
tions were added against employing them as
Sherifr's poss>
or course. when the FRAMEWORK OF the Gov.
eminent and OF society ia threatened In a
state the duty of the President. under tho
guarantees Of the Constitution. is to lend the
aid OF the Federal forces. But even then it
will usually b, found that here has been Il
lack of ADEQUATE organized militia Tennessee
Is one ct ihe orly Two States when had undo
mo N, oTfe sd st. to tho
ton M TO- his last annual statement to
Congress. Tho returns. however: for the year
Tennessee. which is about the aggregate main
timed by lihode Island. 1t is rintn that tho
pre- ont mining troubles was to say the least
not fortunate.
Perhaps next to the mistake of many States
armed: elnipned and Disciplined militia. Is that
OF having no regular systcm OF militid' rser>es.
men capable OF performing, military duty AMI
answering the call OF tho S'a,e Tor temporary
eSTy but hsr" as s 81, m the Is
be rapidly called into srr,vic. to re- nrotce til !.
regularly organized and drilled companies. n
keen only avery small force OF militia in
actual organization and training. they might
90 well IN nave. Tor putting down serious
riots or preventing. .nerllous disturbances.
some lem under which their available armed
ioico can G instantly increased by call ing IL on
the most available horizons OF the arms bear
ing population. The presen. reliance OF
course. l. on volunteers coming forward in an
emergency: but this may he inadeIunte. and
hcnc" we hear discussions. as in tho case Of
Tennessee of the possibility, OF resortlne to the
expediency 1t would be rreposterous. apart
from any quest on OF the statutes, tn bring
population Of allie. bodied mon. regular troops
to quel local disturbance like the present
ono But the very fact that such a possi-
bility has been under consideration suggests
that every State should carefully study tho
question whether its existing system gives it u
militia to preserve order and Inv in iis own
domains, even il the mot serious em-rEen.