The herald., 1894-07-06

self move every train II the company
would only furnish engineers. The re-
suit wae, the troops were there over IL
hours before single train was moved.
although there was no attempt at inter
ference by anybody.
1t ia true that in several instances q
road made efforts to work few green
men and crowd standing around in
suited them and tried to drive them
away, and in few other cases they cut
off Pullman cars from trains. But ali
these troubles were local in character
and could easily be handled by
the states authorities. Illinois
has more railroad men than any
other states, but as a rule they are or
derly and well-behaved. This is shown
by the fact that 80 little actual violence
hes been committed. Only very small
percentage of the men have been guilty
OF any intractions of the law. The news
paper accounts have in many cases been
pure fsbrications, and in others wild
exaggerations.
have gone thus into details to show
that it is not soldiers that the railroads
need 80 much as men to operate trains,
and that the condition does not exist
there which brings the cause within the
federal statute, statute that WAS
passed in 1861 and was in reality war
measure. The statute authorized the
use OF federal troops in state when
ever it shall be impractical
BILE to enforce the lava OF
the United States within such state by
the ordinary judicial process. Such a
condition does not exist in Illinois.
There have been few local disturb
ances, but nothing that seriously inter
fered with the administration OF justice,
for the federal troops can do nothing
that the state troops cannot do.
repeat that you have been imposed
upon in this matter. but even if by
forced construction it was held that the
conditions here came within the letter
OF the statute. then l submit that
local self. government is a fundamental
principle OF our constitution. Each
community shall govern itself as long as
it can and is ready and able to enforce
the law, and it is in harmony with this
fundamental principle that the statute
authorizing the president to send troops
into states must be construed, especially
in matters relating to the exercise OF the
police power and the preservation of law
and order.
To absolutely ignore local govern
ment in matters of this kind when the
local government is ready to furnish the
assistance needed. and is amply able to
enforce the law, not only insults the
people of this state by imputing to them
an inability to govern themselves, or an
unwillingaess to enforce the law, but is
in violation of basic principle of our
institutions.
The question OF federal supremacy is
in no way involved. No one disputes it
for moment, but under our constitu-
ton, federal supremacy and local self
government must 60 hand in hand, and
: to ig more the latter is to do violence to
the constitution.
As governor Of the state OF Illinois /
protest against this, and ask the imme-
diate withdrawal of the federal troops
from activity in this state. Should the
situation at any time get so serious that
We cannot control it with the state
forces. we will promptly ask for federal
assistance. but until such time. pro-
test, with all due Geference, against this
uncalled for reflection upon our people,
and again ask the immediate with
drawal of these troops.
/ have the honor to be yours, respect
fully, JOHN P. ALraELD.
Governor of Illinois.
General Schofeld late last night wired
General Miles at Chicago to order six
companies of infantry from Fort Leav-
enworth, Kan, and two companies of
the Fourth infantry from Fort Brady,
Mich, to Chicago Immediately.
No regular troops have been ordered
to Sacramento or Oakland. The war
department says regulars will not be
sent until the state troops are found In.
efficient.
The president is watching the devel-
opment of the situation at Chicago with
deep concern. He is advised of every
movement as reported to the war de-
partment and department. OF justice.
Apprehension is not confined to Chi
cago alone. Sacramento, CAL, is looked
upon as particularly threatening point.
but up to this time there has been
no warrant for military interference, in
asmuch as the judicial officers have not
yet applied for troops. Preparations
have been made, however, to meet such
calls without delay, probably by die
patching troops from the Preaidio.