The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-05-03
GILL TALKED PEACE.
The LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF
ILLINOIS Is A TRUMP.
Instead Of Sending Troops to Dispense strik-
ing Min 9rs He Went and Made
Them Such a Nice Talk That
They Returned Home.

TOLUCA, Ill, April 27.-The striking
miners held a mass meeting today
which was largely attended. Lieu
tenant Governor Gill, who came from
the capital to make personal inves-
LEGATION, addressed the miners.
When Lieutenant Governor Gill was
introduced to the assemblage of 1000
miners he opened his address by
reading kilograms he had received
FROM Sheriff LonZ and also the reports
cent in answer to them, giving IT rs
his opinion that the ordering out of
the militia as unnecessary. He said
he knew that tha situation was not
go serious as reported, and therefore
stated that he had every confidence
in the miners not making hostile
demonstrations. Continuing, he said:
You are all we'll aware of my mis-
Sion nere. | camehere personally to
view the situation and have found
you as thought you were, peacefully
ASSEM- bled and not of disposition to
destroy property or life, as l was in
formed by the sheriff OF this county in
dispatches last night. do not believe
these kilograms emanated from him
ordinarily, but that he was misin-
formed and the facts exaggerated to
him. | have come here today to de-
clare peace and plead with you not to
attempt any violence or destruc-
tion of property. When l re-
fused to send the state
troops had every confidence
you would not do violence. If yJu
persist in remaining here and make
an attempt at hostilities, as the act
ing executive of this state | can do
nothing but my duty, and you all
know what that is. [ ask you as
American citizens to uphold the gu
pcemacy and dignity OF the state. L
Camo here to plead with you to do 80,
aud / trust you will was lot iusti-
fled in sending troops until there
were riotiOus proceedings or | would
not have done go. 1 believe your visit
here is based upon just grounds and |
can see nothing you have zone that
will cast reflection upon you. Con-
fer with the ToluCa men if you wish
and use moral suasion to get
their assistance to your cause. If they
will help you, return to your homes
peaceable. If they will not, return in
the same manner any way. But if
y on attempt to use force my only duty
is to call out the militia and protect
the people of this place against your
invasion. There is your opportunity
TO prove to the public that you can
aud assemble by thousands as COM
mendable citizens, and L hope sin.
cerely on will take advantage Of it,"
j. A. Crawford, president Of the
United Mine Workers of Illinois, ad-
dressed the assemblase. After the
speaking a motion was carried request
ing all miners not residents here to
Immediately depart from the city to
allow the Toluca men to settle among
themselves about joining the move
ment. Lieut. Gov. Gill and Mr., Dew
lin telegraphed for a special train to
take the miners to their respective
homes as soon as the above decision
had been reached and the men were in
a congenial mood when they learned
they were not to march home. The
train arrived in the city and the army
boarded 30 fiat cars bound for
Streator, thence to Spring Valley aud
La Sale The people of this city feel
relieved after the departure of the
men, and excitement died down.
The Toluca miners at once called a
meeting to decide Upon the question of
returning to work. Some OF the col
ored men said on the streets they we're
willing to take out their tools if the
whites were. Mr. DevIin said if his
miners quit he would import more
negroes from Florida in the mines. If
the miners refuse to work and any
such attempt is made there is sure to
be trouble.