Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-07-23
SUBMISSION FIRST
And Then Legislation on the
Convict Lease System.
THAT Is GOV. BUCHANANs DIOTUM.

The Attorney General Did Not Decide
That the State Was Powerless and the
Mob the Master-Meetingo of the Min:
ers' Committee and the Executive-A
Promise That the Disorder VIII Cease
If the Extra Session Is Called-Decid.
edly Alarming Reports from the Seat
of the Troubles.
KNOXVILLE, Tenn, July 23.-The report
sent out from Nashville Tuesday night
that Attorney General Pickel had decided
that the governor could not use the state
troops to restore order at Briceville unless
requested by the sheriff of Anderson
bounty and that therefore the miners were
masters of the situation, was evidently a
Wild guess at something the reporter
knew nothing about Yesterday the gov
srnor announced that he would use the
troops if necessary and Attorney General
fickel bears the governor out in his &C
eon. His decision holds that the gov
crnor has perfect right to order out the
troops and preserve order in a county that
is in a state of instruction. The governor
steadily adheres to his determination to
uphold the law at any and all cost and
says the troops will remain in Coal Greek
when they get there till the miners have
completely submitted.
The Miners Meet the Governor.
The committee of miners in the city and
with two prominent citizens of both polit-
ical parties, citizens of Knoxville, had a
meeting at the LANCER house and then
waited on Governor Buchanan. A formal
meeting was arranged for the afternoon.
The meeting took place at the appointed
time, and the miners asked for further
time They said that they thought they
could induce their insurgent army to lay
down their arms and allow the convicts TO
return to the mines if the governor would
promis to call an extra session of the
legislature and ask that the lease
law be repealed. A committee
of citizens of this city met tie
governor with the miners and Joined in
the appeal. The governor gave them RI
til this afternoon to restore order and
low the law to take it's course in Coal
Greek valley. If it is not done by that
time he will have the troops go to the
scene and maintain the dignity of the state
ut the point 90 the bayonet
Buchsnnan's Ultimatum.
AFTER nearing the arguments or both Op-
orators and miners, and consulting many
leading citizens of Knoxville, Governor
Buchanan declared that he had decided
to call an extra session of the legislature
for the purpose of modifying, if not abol-
ishing the convict lease system. He stated,
however, that in the meantime the miners
must allow the return of the convicts to
Briceville and Coal Greek. Should they
agree to this, the militia would be with
drawn, but N susal would necessitate an
order that the troops carry the convicts
back at any cost.
The Situation Still Critical.
The troops are anxious to move and
settle the question as to who is the big
gest, the state of Tennessee or the miners
Of Anderson county. They are thoroughly
disguised with the attitude of the people
of this section and are not backward in
expressing themselves. A mass meeting
was held last night and after its adjourn
ment its participants ran through the
streets yelling, "hurrah for the miners, ("
and jeering Governor Buchanan. The
feeling is becoming intense, and If tie
governor is inclined to peaceful measures
such will change his resolution. The
miners, from reports received, are not
sleeping There has been big demand
for rifles here in this city, and today may
bring forth terrible conflict