The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1892-07-16

HARRISBURG, Pa, July 9.-Much in-
terest was manifested here in the con-
sultation fixed between the governor
and the Homestead committee Friday
night. To the great disappointment OF
the newspaper correspondents who had
prepared to take down the remarks Of
all concerned, the veil of secrecy was.
drawn over the proceedings The gov
ernor was importuned to throw open
the doors of the executive chamber, but
he turned deaf ear to the entreaties OF
the newspaper people.
1t was 1920 when the committee
made its appearance in the reception
room of the executive department, and
the several members of 1t were prompt
ly ushered into the presence of the gov
ernor andShis attorney-general. 1t con-
sisted of Hugh 0'Donnell, EX-Repre-
sentative John Cox, j. II. Williams,
John p Purman and G. w. Sarver.
Hugh ODonnell was regarded as the
most important member of the commit
tee, as he had in his possession the
roster of Pinkerton detectives exposed
to the deadly fire of the strikers on
Wednesday and the contracts made
with these people The purpose of the
meeting, as stated by ex-Representative
Cox, was to give the governor a full ex-
planation of the situation at Homestead,
in order that he might act intelligently
in the exercise of his power as chief
magistrate of Pennsylvania.
Hugh O'Donnell is understood to have
strongly cautioned the governor against
sending the military to Homestead.
While the authority of the troops would
be respected their presence was calcu-
lated to do more harm than good. In
his opinion no necessity existed for
their interference on the day of the
| fight or now.
| The conference with the governor
lasted until midnight, soon AFTER which
the Homestead committee left for home.
The committee said heHomesteadworlSs
were in the possession of their owners,
| whose watchmen are on guard TO pro-
tect them. No property had been de-
stroyed, and there was no danger of the
destruction of any. The citizens of
Homestead and the strikers were
| pledged to see that it was protected.
| The sheriff of Allegheny county had, at
a conference, been notified that he
could take possession of the Carnegie
property without molestation. No writ
had yet been attempted to be executed
which met with any resistance.
Coke said the people of Homestead,
without regard to party profession or
association, commended the action Of
the governor in declining to send troops
and requested that he adhere to the
position he had assumed, at least until
some officer has been obstructed in the
exercise of his official authority. These
people greatly regretted the occurrence
of Wednesday, and put the responsible
ity largely on the Carnegie Co. because
of it's employment of armed Pinkerton
men invested with no official authority
and their secret importation into the
county.
No organized effort has been made to
prevent the Pinkerton people from
landing and the collisions were acci-
dental and not premeditated.
Gov. Pattison said he was glad to
hear that order prevailed at Home
stead and hoped it would continue.
While he had taken the position that
the military power should not be in
volled until that of the civil had been
exhausted, and would adhere to
it, he wanted it understood that
the observance of the laws of
the state would be insisted on if the
entire military force of Pennsylvania
had to be called out or an appeal had to
be made to the federal government for
soldiers. Care would be taken, how
ever, that the military would be-
subordinated to the civil power.
Property would be protected and the
rights of all parties in the struggle
would be be maintained without regard
to the merits or dement's of the business
difference between them.