Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-07-11
JULY IL, 1894,
The Presidents Power.

The second proclamation OF President
Cleveland concerning the railroad not
was not issued as a supplement to the
hrss nor as complement TO IL nor by
way OF explaining ii. lie had pondered
the whole subject before he issued his
arst proclamation. and had decided Just
Khat II was his duty to do, and had made
sp his mind TO discharge that duty al
whatever sacrifice of comfort II might
be necessary for him TO make. He had
consulted the profound constitutional
lawyers in his Cabinet as to his power
ander the Federal Constitution. He had
looked for presidents as well as con-
quilted the best lawyers before he IS
sued his first proclamation, and so had
no occasion TO Tetrace his steps IL
Is unfortunate that the Presidents action
mould have been liable to be construed
rs the Issuing OF second proclamation
10 the Illinois .rioters when 1t was in
fact issued to another and different
set of rioters.
The fact Is that the .wo proclamations
do not in any material manner differ
from each other. The proclamation OF
Sunday was based upon unlawful OBJ
structions. combinations, and assem-
blages Of persons within the State OF
Illinois, and especially IN the city of chi
cago. The proclamation Of Monday was
based upon unlawful distractions, COM
blnations. and assemblages OF persons
1t certain points and places within the
States Of North Dakota. Montana, Idaho
Washington. Wyoming. Colorado. and
California. and the Territories of Utah
md New Mexico. and especially along
The lines of such railways traversed In
laid States and Territories as are milf
lary roads and post routes, and engaged
In interstate commerce and carrying
United States mails" The proclamation OF
Sunday gave the Chicago rioters until
II o'clock on Monday to disperse and
hetake themselves out Of harms way.
The proclamation Of Monday gave the
rioters in the other states and Territories
named until o'clock on Tuesday TO dis
perse and take themselves out of harms
way.
If the President has exceeded his
In anything that he has done, as we
90 not believe he has, he nevertheless
has the people at his back. Anarchy is
more TO be dreaded than despotc rule
The people of the United States would
rather follow the old Roman precedent
and appoint a dictator in times OF peru
TO the States than to countenance such
lawless proceedings and such a disre-
gard Of the rights of property ana
such a contempt for human life and
human comfort as have marked the con-
duct Of the Chicago rioters. We shall
be vain babblers indeed If we follow the
shadow OF a promised good government
and sink the thing itself forty fathoms
deep" at the bidding of such men as
would have made Chicago by-word and
a Kissing II they had not been stopped In
their mad career.
The President wisely declined to discuss
constitutional questions with Governor
Altgeld. He had 10 time TO spend upon
the points raised by the Illinois Gov
ernor. Let us first restore the rule OF
law Ia Chicago, and then we may nave
something 20 dispute about, SAID Inc
President, In substance. Grover CleVe-
land stands ready to submit his conduct
in these trying times TO the Judgment oil
the world II he has violated one para
graph of the Federal Constitution, as we
say again he has not, he has saved the
whole instrument from destruction. And
80 he puts himself upon his country
which country You are" ye lovers oil
peace and concord, and Of law and order.