Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-25
TENNESSEE'S SNARL.
THE GOVERNORS DECISION MADE
KNOWN TO THE MINERS.
Formal CONFERENCE.-The VIII
the Outcome BE?

iDE "a was lttu &OtA &tf'h w.
day, the result of which IL not yet known.
The miners are perfectly quiet and there
are no troops nearer Coal Greek than KNOX,
vile, thirty-fye miles distant. The solu-
ton of the troubles for tho present de-
ponds on tho result of to-day's meeting.
The impression is that in view Of the extra
session OF the Legislature TO be called TO
meet in September the miners will ncqui-
esce in the decision Of Governor buchanan
10 send the convicts back TO the mines
until the Legislature takes action on the
convict-lease question.
THE MINERS QUIET AND CONSERVATIVE.
If they do not, the troops will almost
certainly take the convicts back to Brlce-
VILE tomorrow. The miners are quiet,
and seem TO he animated by aspirlt OF
conservatism, which gives strong hope OF
q peaceful solution of the difficulties. The
military comanies are all here awaiting or
ders. Governor Buchanan is still here
with the Acknowledgement and Attorney
General Of the State. A truce prevails
pending action Of the miners meeting at
Coal Creek. The Governor VIII hoiu an
other conference this evening Win repre-
sentatives of the miners.
THE ARBITRAToEs AT COAL CREEK.
This morning the miners committee left
Knoxville for Coal Creek with the decision
Of the Governor that If the convicts were
allowed 20 be placed in the mines from
which they had been evicted by the miners
the militia would be withdrawn and the
Legislature would be convened In extra
session for the purpose Of taking such action
as it sees Gt on the cOnyIct-lease system;
Coal Creek was reached at II A. NJ, and
when the miners committee and the Asso-
ciated-Press reporter stepped from the
| .l..,,oo.,1 mo rrl ag1Dmhln0 10
meet them.
THE GOVERNORS DECISION STATED.
As soon as the committee alighted from
the train loud voice was heard All
miners to the big groye." The big grove
was about o mile from the station ana
thither the large crowd rapidly made us
WAY. A rude platform was hastily con-
structed and upon it was placed the COM
mittee and Hon. J. G. }. Williams, who
represented the Knoxville arbitration com
mittee. The crowd was called 10 order by
n miner and two Spokesman of the commit
tee related the incidents OF their trip TO
meet the Governor. how be received them,
and LIS decision. They stated that the
committee bad received concessions and
that in their minds the miners ought TO
grant some.
THE MINERS CONCLUSION.
This did not meet with anything ike
universal satisfaction, but the implicit con-
fdcnce the miners have in their leaders
was shown by a unanimous vote to accept
the report of u committee on resolutions
which had been appointed, and winch had
been in session while the speakers were
being heard. The gist of the resolutions
was that the convicts should be returned
10 the mines. the miners guaranteeing that
they would not be molested. The militia
will lac ordered home. Sixtv days will be
allowed to convene the Legislature, during
which time no convict shall be molested
and no property shall be destroyed ana
the miners, If necessary, will place guards
to see that the promises are kept good.
TIE MINERS DISCIPLINE.
The miners committee returned 10
Knoxville at 5:45 z. NJ. and are now IN
| conference with the Governor ana the
Knoxville committee. One little incident
noticed by the Associated Press man viii
show the discipline in effect and explain
| how well the miners were IN the hands ol
| the leaders. A barry. bluff miner stepped
up TO one Of the leaders and sad l
want TO change the number of my gun.
! Pve swapped.n Immediately out came q
| long list of names opposite 70 each OF
which was the number of the Winchester
rife which had been assigned to the man
bearing that name.
NOkNl'I hIi4i.fD BE bNhhBs
At2 O'Clock this morning Anderson Har-
ris, one Of the Knoxville Iron Company
conyic,s. was killed by one of the guards,
J. A. Duncan. Harris stealthily ap-
preached George Torbett. another OF the
cuards. and commenced 10 choke him.
Another negro followed. Harris was or
dered by Duncan TO desist, tut failed to
heed the warning, when Duncan fred.
The ball took effect under the lett shOul-
4 4 Al. - 81 90 t.u
later. Great excitement prevailed III the
convict Headquarters. Evidently it had
been agreed among the convcts to make
break for liberty. When Harris was shot
the second prisoner turned and fed to his
comrades.
Tue GOVERNOR DECLINES THE ABMlsTIcK.
The conference held to- night lasted three
hours and ended without any visible re-
suit. Governor Buchanan declines TO con-
slider the proposition for an armlstice on
the ground that 1t would be an implied
compromise with the violation of law, that
might at the end of that time, III case the
Legislature declined 10 comply with the
demands of the miners, be renewed with
impunity, The representatives of the
miners disclamed any threat and proposed
TO accompany the proposition with an ex-
planation which would relieve it from such
q construction. The Governor was firm.
however, in his position and declined 10
yield.
TIE CoNvICTs WILL 90 BACK.
There is no longer any doubt but that
the Governor will return the convlcts 10
the mines at Coal Greek and Briceville. 1t
is only q question Of how II will be done.
The miners present at the conference ex-
press the opinion that if they are returned
with only such guards as are necessary TO
keep them III custody. not militia, and
placed in their stockades there Will be no
resistance. and that there will be no inter
ference with them until the Legislature
has been convened and has acted upon the
repeal of the lease system.
CONFLICT MIGHT FOLLOW.
If the militia is returned with the con-
victs il is believed that their presence
will inname the passions of the already
excited community, and conflct with
perhaps terrible results might follow.
This is the situation low. Tho Governor
is considering not what he Will DO, but
how he will do 1t. He will hold another
conference with the miners tomorrow
morning. There will not be much further
DELAY. and what will be done will be done
not later than Saturday.
WITH CITIZEN GUARDS.
IL the Governor sees his way clear to
send the convicts back to the mines safely
in the.custody of the citizen guards he will
most probably take that course. If he
does. then quiet will be restored until the
Legislature is convened. His Attorney
General is still with him, and he will take
no steps without consulting that official.
GEORGIA SYMPATHY FOR THE MINERS.
ATLANTA, Ga, July 23.-The Atlanta
Federation of Trade tonight passed re-
solutions of sympathy with the striking
miners ofTennessee: also, condemnlns the
Georgia conylct-lease system.
WORK OF OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES.