The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-07-09
President Cleveland Issued a
Proclamation Last Night.
He Calls Upon All Assemblages
to Dispense.
RIOTERS ARE WARNED.
Those Disobeying the Order
Regarded as Public Enemies.

WASHINGTON. July 9.-Just before
midnight last night President Cleve-
land issued the following:
Proclamation BY the president Of
the United States
Whereas, BY reason Of uni lawful OBJ
struction, combinations and assem-
blages of persons, it has become i'm
practicable in the judgment Of the
president to enforce by the ordinary
course of judicial proceedings the
laws of the United States within the
state of Illinois and the city Of Chica-
go within said state; and
Whereas, That for the purpose
of enforcing the faithful execution
of the laws of the United States and
protecting its property and removing
distractions to the United States in
the state and city aforesaid. the presi-
dent has employed a part of the milf
tary forces of the United States
Now, therefore, 1, Grover Cleveland,
president of the United States, do
hereby admonish all good citizens.
and all persons who may be or may
come within the city and state afore-
said, against aiding, cOuntenan cling,
encouraging or taking any part in
such unlawful distractions, com bina-
warn all persons engaged in, or in
any connected with such unlawful OBJ
structions, com binations and assem-
blages, to dispense and retire peace
ably to their respective abodes on or
before IL o'clock noon, June g.
Those who disregard this warning
and persist in taking part with q
riotous mob in forcibly resisting and
obstructing the execution Of the laws
of the United States or interfering
with the functions of the government,
or destroying and attempting to de-
stroy the property belonging to the
United States, or under its protection,
can not be regarded otherwise than
as public enemies
Troops employed against such
riotous mob will act with all mOdera-
ton and forbearance consistent with
end, but the necessities that
confront them will not with
certainty permit discrimination be-
tween guilty participants and
those who are mingled with them
from curiosity and without criminal
contempt. The only safe course,
therefore. for those not actually IN
lawfully participating is to abide a t
their homes or at least not to be found
in the neigh borhood of riOtOus assem-
blages-
While there will be no hesitation or
vacillatiOn in the decisive treatment
of the guilty, this warning is especial
ly inte nded to protect and save the
innocent
In testimony whereof I hereuntO
set my hand and cause the seal of the
United States to be hereto affixed
Done at the city of Washington. this
Sth day of July, in the year Of our
Lord one thousand eight hundred and
ninety-four. and the independence OF
the United States Of America the one
hundred and eigh tenth
GROVER CLEvELAND, president.
w. O. GRESHAM, score ary Of state.
The proclamation. practically de-
claring martial law in Chicago, was
decided upon after a full discussion
in the cabinet meeting. This is the
action which General Miles has de-
sired from the beginning. it will
give him more ample authority in the
city.
None of the cabinet officials were
willing to discuss the proclamation at
the conclusion of the conference, but
the following dispatch which was
General Miles, serves IN a measure to
interpret the intention of the presi-
dents action:
In view of the provisions of stat
ute. and for the purpose of giving
ample warning to all innocent and
we'll disposed persons, the president
has dee med it best to issue the follow
ing proclamation. This does not
change the scope of your authority
authorities You will please make
this known to MavOr HOPKINS