New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-03
THE TENNESSEE CONVICT TROUBLE.


1t is now more than five weeks since the
Tennessee miners who struck against the con-
vict-labor system successfully defed the troops
marched against them and dictated the terms OF
a truce to Governor Buchanan They then
practically compelled him, not only to suspend
all hostiliteS during sixty days, but also to call
an extra session of the General Assembly to
consider and legislate on their grievances with
in that time. On their part, they bargalned
not to modest during the armstice the convlctS
employed with them in the mines, virtually re-
serving however, the right to take up arms
again if matters were not settled to their entire
satisfaction This would be a humiliating, not
to say dangerous, precedent for any ruler who
hoped ever 10 assert his authority to establish
under the stress Of popular revolt. Governor
Buchanan reasonably enough objected, on this
ground, among others, that he could not control
the action of the Legislature. He was, how
ever, speedily forced to yield, and the extra
session was called.
Judging from the initial reports of the pro-
ceedings, it seems that the Governors appre-
hension was well founded. While it long ago
became clear that the free miners were really
oppressed, however they had compromised their
cause by violence, it was also apparent that
there was no general unanimity among the peo-
pie of the Sta,e concerning the ylclouSnesS OF
the present convict lease law. Governor Du-
chanan, as one Of its authors, was unpopular
enough among the strikers; but the sentiment
of the community upheld him in his efforts to
restore order, and the local militia was ready
if not eager for service. One OF the first acts
of the upper branch of the hastily convened
Legislature has been strangely enough, com
mendation Of his "pr0mptneSS IN SuppreSSlng
the recent riot at Briceville"; but in neither
house have the opening scenes tended to inspire
confidence in a speedy and wise adjustment OF
the difficulty. Conflicting bills and resolutions
have been introduced with a precipitation that
indicates a painful nervousness among the legis-
lators. One measure contemplates the ;Idlcial
abrogation of existing leases at the option OF
the Attorney General. Another, whose authors
turbulence elected an official rebuke, provides
for a mixed committee of inquiry, to sit in
definitely and report to the Legislature, II neceS-
saly, at a subsequent extra session. A third
recommends the exercise of moral suasi6n upon
the lessees by a joint committee OF the two
houses, while yet fourth hints at grave con-
tingendes by offering to empower the Governor
to employ the militia as long as may be neces-
sary TO quell instruction.
No one of these propositions seems designed
to effect a definitive and busineSSlike settle
ment The miners, on the other hand, are moro
clearly determined than ever. They have held
meetings and made speeches and distributed
pamphlets, painting in the darkest colors the
alleged iniquities of the lease system. Their
agents are active at Nashville, in opposition to
emissares of the lessees. Thus the conditions
are ripe for a bitter and protracted triangular
contest, in which two of the parties are: only
half right and the third is embarrassed by the
humiliation of late surrender of authority. 1t
is perhaps too much to hope that the legislators
will reSolutely make the States immediate pc
cuniary advantage a secondary consideration, or
that the miners will prove easily amenable to
argument against Incorporate demands. The
enemies Of the lease law, however should under
stand that further outrage or revolt can only
permanently damage their cause. Meantime, the
publication of the Governors official recon-
mendation will be awaited with the keeneSt