The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-07-07

Aho Hc"o irom CnlcagO this morning
was both discouraging and re-assuring.
IL was discouraging in that it told of
wild scenes of mob violence, the destruc-
tion OF over a thousand cars by fire. and
the apparent inability of the local
authorities to protect property and
maintain order. 1t was re-assuripg
from the fact that the local authorities
have apparently awakened to the extent
OF the disturbance and now propose to
put it down by force.
II must be borne in mind that the
Federal troops have not attempted to
preserve order. That is the present
duty of tho local autho rites. The Fed
erai troops are simply to guard trains
when the companies get ready to move
them, and to protect the mails. They
are not there to protect private property
but simply to insist upon free passage
Tor trains that the railroad authorities
get ready to move, and to protect those
trains when once in motion. They will
DO their duty. and any interference
with them will be met by bloodsbed.
Inc Stoyernment- Is concentrating its
troops at Chicago, and it will soon have
sufhcient force at its command TO |
overpower any mob that may set itself
up In opposition TO the Federal troops.
The situation however is become so
grave that the Federal Government NAV
DO compelled to take the matter out of
the hands of the local authorities.
Mayor Hopkins and Governor Altee ld
have protested that the local authorities
are able to cope with the trouble, but the
fact that lawlessness is on tn increase.
that millions Of dollars worth of prop
erty has been destroyed, that all traffic
is suspended, and murder and arson go
unpunished does not bear out their as
severations.
Inc President has all the authority in
the world for interference, and the
moment it becomes apparent that the
local authorities either will not or can
not enforce the laws, just that moment
he will act.
The authority of the President to do
this is clear and unmistakable. The
law dates beck to the time of JEFF !
Ierson Davis-that is, from the Goth os
July, 1861, three months and more after
south Carolina had fired upon the flag !.
't Fort Sumter and the organized hosts y
u treason and the rebellion were
threatening the national capital. This
'uthority is found in section 52Os, Re-
ised Statutes, and all State rights
rites of the Administration will mott CO
hat the President has no rule to guide
I'm but his own judgment in exercising
no enormous power which gives an
Inn the authority to call out the sic
liiitia OF all the States to enforce ap
no faithful execution of the law. LII
his law originated in a period when
tate sovereignty was threatening the '
10 OF the nation. and when the Con- ov
ress OF the United States chose to make w wo
impossible for the Governor of anv an,
tate to place obstacles I'm the way of tn,
10 execution of the laws. It seems the
'obable that Governor Altgeld is not
ivised OF the existence of this law. 1t {
as follows: to
SECTION DOS. Whenever. by reason OF un- OH
wfui distractions, combinations or ASSEM- an
ages or persons, or rebellion against the zen
thorhy OF the Government OF the United ="
atcs' ~ shall become practicable. I'm the h"
dgment Of the President. to enforce by the pal
dinary course Of judicial proceedings. the an
'Fs OF the United States within any State or
rritory, IL shall DO lawful for the President -
call forth the militia OF any or all the states
q to SIMPLY such parts OF the land and naval wa
rces OF the United States rs he may deem an'
cessary TO enforce the faithful exeeution ~ que
Q laws of the United States, or to supnres. oy
ch rebellion In whatever state or Territorv fro
sreof the laws OF the United States may no
'cibly opposed or the execution tbereo,
'cibly obstructed. %
lie can call on the militia of any State the
d at any time. From New York a,a the
nnsylvania alone he can secure % 600 Nei
III armed and well disciplined troons way
10 have done duty during riots before h.a' n
W, and who are not dismayed By the and
esence OF bowling mobs. There is not be I
State that cannot be called on and 'eiv
ich would not respond IL a call CANA
m the President for troops. II,
The strike itself is not now tbe dis Tor
bing feature. IL is the lawlessp.ss ..eu
mob rule that has become open re-. have
lion against tho authority OF tho uaw
tied states. President Cleveland 10 wou
y determined and will e,forc. Ar. s'c'