The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-07-06
HERR RALTGELD OBJECTS
Says Federal Soldiers Are Not
Needed in Illinois.
DEMANDS THEIR WITHDRAWAL.
Railroads Delayed Only by Lack OF
Skilled Men, He Says.
DEMANDS THEIR WITHDRAWAL.
False, the Anarchists' Friend De-
eIares President Cleveland Tell.
why Troops Were seat TO Chicago.

wAsHiS6roS CITT. July 5.-Gov. Ait
geld of Illinois, has called upon the presi-
dent TO remove the Federal troops from
Illinois. Following is Gov. Altgeld's
message:
"Hon. Grover Cleveland, President of the
United States. Washington City-Dear
Sir: / am advised that YOU have ordered
Federal troops 10 60 into service
in the state of Illinois. Surely
the iacts have not been correctly
presented 10 YOU in this case or
you would not have taken the step,
for il IS wholly unnecessary and, il seems
to me, unjustifiaole Waving all ques-
tions of courtesy. L will saw that the
state OF Illinois is not only able to take
care of its affairs, but It stands ready
to furnish the Federal government any
assistance il may need. The state military
force is ample, and consists OF as good
soldiers as can be found in the
country. They have been ordered
promptly whenever and wherever
they we're needed. We have stationed in
Chicago alone three regiments OF infantry.
one battery and one troop of cavalry, aud
no better soldiers can be found. They have
been ready every moment TO 60 on duty
aud have been and are now eager TO go
into service. but they have not been
ordered out, for nobody in Cook county.
whether official or private citizen,
has asked TO have their as
sistance or even intimated in
any way that their assistance was desired
or necessary. So far as l have been ad-
vised, the local officials have been
able TO handle the situation, but
if any assistance were needed, the
state stood ready TO furnish 100 men for
every one man required, and stood ready
to do so at moments notice
Notwithstanding these facts. the Fed
eral government has been applied to for
men, from selfish motives. We
have now had ten days of the
railroad strike, and We have properly
furnished militia aid wherever the local
officials needed il. In two instances in
May the United States marshal
for the Southern district of Illi-
nois applied for assistance to enable
him to force the process of the United
States court, and troops were promptly
furnished and he was assisted in
very way he desired. The law will
be thoroughly executed. and every
man found guilty of violating it
during the strike will be brought TO Justice
Ii the marshal for the northern district of
Illinois or the authorities of Cook county
need any assistance they had better ask
TOR IL in order TO get il from the state.
AT the present hour the railroads
are parelyzed not by reason of obstruc-
tions, but because they cannot get men
to operate their trains. For some
reason they anyous TO keep
this fact from the public, and for this
purpose are !making q cry about obstruc-
tions in order to divert attention. / cite
to you two examples which illustrate the
situation. Some days ago was advised
that the business of one ofour railroads was
being obstructed; that there was a condi-
tion bordering on anarchy, and | was
asked to furnish protection so as to enable
the employees of the railroad to operate
trains. Troops We ordered TO both points.
Then il transpired that the company had
not sufficient men on its line to operate
one train. All the old hands were orderly,
but refused TO work. The company had large
shops in which worked a number of men
who did not belong TO the railway union,
and who could run an engine. They were
appealed to TO run the train, but fiaty re-
fused. We were obliged 10 hunt up soldiers
who could run an engine and operate a
train. Again, two days ago, appeal
which were almost frantic came from
the officials of another road stat
ing that an important point In
their line was forc,bly obstructed
an that there vas reign of anarchy at
that place, and asked for troops so that
they could move trains. Troops were put
ON the ground in q few hours, when the
officer in command telegraphed that
there was no trouble and had been none,
but the road seemed TO have no men to
run trains, and the sheriff telegraphed that
he did not need troops. but would move
every train If the company would furnish
engineers. 1t is thought that in sew
eral instances road made efforts
TO work few green men, and crowd
standing around insulted them and tried
10 drive them away, and in few other
cases they cut off Pullman cars from
trains. But ali these troubles were local
In character.
illinois has more railroad men than
any other state and all are we'll behaved
This is shown by the fact that so very lit
tie actual violence has been commit. ed.
Only a very small per cent. of these men
have been guilty OF any infraetion OF the
Law. The newspaper accounts have in many
cases, been pure fabrications and in others
wild exaggsrations. l have gone thus into
details 10 show tnat IL is not
soldiers that the railroads need so
much as men 10 operate the trains.
and that a condition does not exist
which brings the cause within the
federal statute, a statute that Vas passed
n ISs6 and was In reality a war measure.
THIS statute authorized the use OF
federrl troops in state whenever IL
shall be impracticable 10 enforce the
laws of the United States with ordinary
judicial process such a condition does
not exist in Illinois. There have been a
few local disturbances, but nothing that
seriously intsriered with the administFa-
ton. Federal troops can do nothing If
state troops can do nothing.
Il repeat that YOU have been imposed
upon this matter. But even il. by a
forced confIraetion, II vas held that
the conditions here came within the let
ter OF the statute, / submit that local
self-goyernment is 3 fundamental prlnei-
pie OF our constitution. Each COM
mgnsty shall itself. as long IS
IL can an1 Is ready aud able.
enforce the law, aud 1t is Ia
harmony with the fundamental principle
that the statute authorizing the president
30 send troops into the states must
be construed. Especially is this SO
IN matters relating 10 the exer-
else of police poser and the
preservation Of las and order.
To absolutely ignore local government
in matters ot this kind when the local
government IS ready 70 furnish assistance
needed and Is amply able ie eniorce the
law not only insults the people OF this
state by Impusing 10 them an inshi.Ity 10
govern themselves or An En willingness 20
enforce the Law. bat - IN violation OF
basic principle Of ogr institutions.
The question OF fesesal supremacy Is
in no way involved. No one disputes Il
for 3 moment, bat under our constitution
Federal supremacy and local seif-govern-
msnt must 20 hand in hand, aud 10 ignore
the latte Is to do violence 20 the consts-
sutton.
AS governor Of the state Of ILLINOIS I