The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-22
Tennessee Militia Ready to Start
for BriCeVilIe.
Resolutions Adopted at a Meeting Of The
Miners at Coal Greek.
A Committee Appointed to Arbltrate With
Governor Buchanan = Assistance Of
fered From Kentucky Town.


KNOXVILLE CTenn.), July 21.-The mine
trouble is in statu quo, and the end no one
can see. Five hundred miliiia-men have
arrived and are now in camp. Brigadier-
General Carnes says that he is simply wait
ing for orders from Governor Buchanan.
The Constitution and laws of Tennessee are
peculiar and anomalous. The Governor OF
the State is in doubt as to whether he can
order out the military legally. and il is sure
he cannot pi oclaim martial law throughout
the mining region. To endeavor to proceed
against the miners ciyilly would be folly as
the sympathy of all classes is with the
miners, and conviction would be almost im-
possible.
At Coal Greek, since Sunday night until
this morning, the telegraph wires have been
in the hands of the miners, and nothing has
been sent out except such as they allowed
the operator to send. This morning there
were rumors there that q large military
force was coming to reinstate the convicts,
but no one knows the truth of such rumors.
There is shown at Coal Creek great hatred
of Governor Buchanan, aud threats are
openly made that1t will not do for him TO
return there. Special kilograms from Coal
Creek and Brceville are sent by train to
Knoxville, as the miners will not permit
news detrimental to them to be sent
The trouble at Brcevlle commenced last
week. About 400 armed strikers attacked
the guards who had charge Of fifty felons
and liberated them. Governor Buchanan
was Immediately notified and responded by
ordering two companies from Chattanooga
nd nna l. pxyiIl -
the fifty conyicts taken from the guards at
Briceville two escaped and the others were
brought to this city. When the militia ar
rived they took the conyicts back with
them and warned the mob that they would
protect them at all hazards. Governor Bu-
chanan at once proceeded to the seat of
trouble and in neat speech explained his
position to the rebellious miners. He told
them that ii was his sworn duty to uphold
the law, and il the convict lease system was
wrong lie was not to blame. and that the
only recourse of the men was through the
Legislature. The miners announced that
their families were starving and that they
were compelled to drive out the convicts if
it cost the life Of every man in the valley.
NASHVILLE, July 21.-A special from
Coal Creek, Tenn, to the American says:
a meeting of miners was held this af(er-
noon. When the men first assembled there
were few hot heads, but they were quickly
suppressed. There were speeches by
number Of leaders. all of 4 conservative tone
and advising against any act in violation of
Law. The men said they simply wanted the
convicts sent away, aud nothing more or
less. Finally a resolution was unanimously
passed TO appoint committee of five to go
to Knoxville and Nashville, If necessary, to
confer with Governor Buchanan and arbi-
trate the present difficulties. Commissioner
Ford and Assistant Alleman were invited
and asked to go with the committee.
Resolutions were unanimously passed
that each man pledge himself on his honor
that not one dollars worth of property
would be destroyed, and that the company's
property should be guarded. 1t was fur
ther determined that no one should offer
violence to any one except in self-defeuse.
There IS sense of relief and quiet since
the meeting.
"a telegram was received from the Ken
lucky side at Joyce to-day Offering large
number OF men in case help was needed.
The reply was for the men to hold them
selves in readiness in case they were called
for. Nearly every man present at the meet
ing had sho gun or Winchester rife, be-
sides revolver.
Coal CREEK, July 21.-At 10 o'clock this
evening everything was quiet The miners
are firmly convinced that they will eventu-
ally triumph, and SO long as this feeling
prevails no violence will be done. The be-
lief is increasing that the Governor has no
authority to send the militia here. TIE
men renew their assurances made at this
afternoons meeting that no violence will
be done to mine property.
MEMPHIS, July 2l.-A special from Nash
Vile saws: Governor Buclana and At
torney-General Pickle have been closeIed
to-day considering the question OF the le-
gality of the Governors action in ordering
the militia to Briceyille after the Sheriff had
left the scene. Pickle, late this afternoon,
handed in written opinion to the Cover
nor, in which, it is understood, he says the
Governors action is justified by law in
sending troops, but they can only be used
under civil authority, and unless the Sheriff
comes forward and again asks for assist
ance the militia will havs to be recalled
The Governor is very indignant at the
Sheriff for his failure to uphold the dignity
of the law. 1t is also understood that the
Governor will make another attempt to
pacfy the miners. Should he fail he will
probably call an extra session of the Lcgis-
lature and leave the matter in the General
Assembly'S hands.