The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-08
ALTGELD WRONG; THE PRESIDENT
RIGVT

Nero Kidding while Rome ives burning
Ifs trite but opposite comment upon the
absurd contention which Governor Alt
geld Is having with the President. Att
geld knows perfectly well that Mr.. Clcve-
iand has had no design 10 trespass iu any
way whatever upon the reserved RIGHTS
OF the State Of Illinois. ana IF. instead
or carping - his patriotic action he had
loyalty CO. pcrated with him in seeking
10 restore obedience 10 the law. the pres
ent serious and threatening condition Of
hhairs In Chicago would probably have
been averte1. But. from The strlctest
construction Of constitutional law. Alt
geld is absolutely wrong and Mr.. CIevo-
Iand Is absolutely right IN the coutro-
Versy. 1t Is trying TO ones patience 10
nave TO argue such questions under such
circumstance. but as Altgeli's specious
pleas may mislea1 som. VINO 90 not
know the law we feel 70 90 boz our dutv
10 state that law Just MS IL is
Altgeld says that Mr. Cleveland calmly
assumes that the President Of the United
states has the legal relt % order Fed
eral troops into any community of the
United States whenever he thinks the
pubic interests require that this should
be done' and Altgeld yehementlv denies |
mat ne has this right. He argues that |
IL the PRESIDENT could be held TO have |
such authority he might use It so as TO |
overthrow all the local institutions Of the |
people and turn himself into a Russian
Gar.
IL seems strange 10 find Democratic |
newspaper In one Of the seeded States.
conducted by secessionists, maintaining |
this authority In the President against |
the Governor of one OF the most loyal" |
or the States Of thirty years back. and |
We commence our defence Of the Presi-
uent by remarklng that Altgeld plainly
mas no conception OF the theory of the
constitution, that in maintaining the M
thority which that Constitution has con-
1erred upon the United States Govern
ment II is supreme In every part OF this
Union at all times. There can no No !
STATE rights that can in any way what
ever interfere with the United States
government when II IS MAINTAINING, tho
authority conferred upon II by the Com
fututon. Everything must stand ont ~
The way before that Now, the Constitu-
lion mas conferred upon Congress tho
right 10 regulate commerce between tho
States Congress has enacted laws IN
pursuance OF this power which forbid
combinations and conspiracics to Interfere
IN any way with free commerce between
the states. The United States courts Gre
hted ana organized 10 enforce the statutes
Which Congress has passed, enioined tho
Shicaso strikers from interfering with the
free passage OF cars through Chicago
= ne strikers refused TO obey the injunc-
non ana the court reported 70 the Presi
ue"' 'hat IL mad no power with which II
couid compel the strikers 70 obey fits or
u'fs' ana IL asked the President To order |
. iorce 10 It's aid that would be ADEQUATE c
10 compelling obedience TO It's orders $
~ conformity with an act Of Congress au- 1
Inorizins MIN 10 do II. the President then u
'ruereu the United States soldiers IN go 6
% Nhlcago and compel the strikers 10 -
'"ey the orders Of the court Now bere q
. case where Congress has enactod -,
PLAINLY constitutional statute 10 roverp =
- '"e united states Court has under
~" 70 make all men obey that statute. -.
70 ""'"otlly Is resisted, and the Presi =
''"l, sworn 10 enforce those laws seras
"e United States troops TO the nIace 10 4"
'V"'Pei obedience 20 this act ~ con
.'0sS' mere Is no case here OF the Pr,
,e"' sending soldiers 70 Chicago ~ -, 81
nc peace and quell disturbances IL ~ De
CIV mem there 10 compel all men 10 ohov W
~ 'aw'ui order Of a United states corr, Is
mere is no interference whatever u,,tn In
ne o'ate OF Illinois in It's right and drtY al
(, preserve order and keep the neace le,
, y 'ne mob at Chicago would conano ~. bf
disorders 10 riots that did not IN anv wa,, s.,
,,aro'., Interfere with the freedom ~ ce
,,"Hn between the States. Genaroi m
'',ss would have no authority 10 mol, 90 90
L., :" any way whatever nor do his or 20,
.,,, contemplate that he should ,pter,ero 80
Nv, -" II IN such case In any way whs,eyar va
800, 80 - al Chicago for the sole and sins,e
''p'se Of compelling obedience 10 a Ian w