Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-07-06
ground in few hours, when the oficer
in command telegraphed me that
rurpr WAS No TROIrBIF


and had been none, at that point, but
that the road seemed TO have no men TO
run trains, and the sheriff telegraphed
that he did not need troops, but would
himself move every train II the compa-
nv would only furnish an engineer.
The result was that toe troops were
there over twelve hours before single
train was moved, although there was no
attempt at interference by anybody.
Illinois has more railroad men than any
other State in the Union, but as rule
they are rdsrly and we'll behaved.
Only a very small per cent OF these
men have been guilty Of any infractions
OF the law. The newspapers accounts
have in many cases been pure faorica-
tions and in others wild eXaggeratlons.
repeat that you have been imposed
upon in this matter, but even II oy
forced construction II were held that
the conditions here came Within the let
ter OF the statute. then | submit that
local self government is fundamental
principle OF our constitution.
TO ABSOLUTELY IGNORE
a local government in matters OF this
kind, when the local government Is
ready to furnish assistance needed and
isamply able TO enforce the law, not only
insults the people OF this State by i'm
putting TO them an inability 10 govern
themselves or an unuillingneSs to en-
force the law, but is in violation or
basic principal OF our constitution.
As Governor Of the State OF Illinois
ask the immediate withdrawal OF the
federal troops from active duty In this
State. Should the situation at any
time get so serious that we cannot con-
troll it with the State forces We Will
promptly a2d freely ask for federal as
s!stance, but until such time protest,
with all due deference, against this un-
called for reflection upon our people
and again ask the immediate withdraw
al OF these troops.
have the honor to be. yours respect
fully, JOHN Z. ALrGELD'
Governor OF Illinois.
President Cleveland has sent the fol-
lowing reply to Governor Altgeid's de-
mand for the removal OF Federal troops
from Illinois:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
WASHINGTON. ID. c., July 5, 1894. J
Hon. John p. AItgeId, GoUcrnor Of IL
lipois, Springfield, us:
Federal troops were sent 10 Chicago
in strict accord ance with the constltu-
tion and laws Of the United States,
upon the demand OF the Postotfice De-
partment that obstruction Of the mails
should be removed and upon the repre-
sentation OF the judicial officers OF the
United States that process OF the FED
eral Courts could not be executed
through the ordinary means and upon
abundant proof that conspiracies ex-
listed against commerce between the
States. To meet these conditions, which
are clearly within the province OF Fed
eral authority, the presence OF Federal
troops in the city OF Chicago was deemed
not-only ~BrQper. -bns- urces-s-y, aud
there has been no Intention OF thereby
interfering with the plain duty OF the
local authorities 10 preserve the peace
OF the city.
TSigned1 GROVER CLEVELAND.
The consideration of the Governors
letter and the preparation OF the answer
had occupied the President and his ad-
vsers for nearly three hours. The time
seemed long for SO shot, an answer but
the gravity OF the subject and the hrm
attitude assumed by the President
apparently fully warranted the deliber-
ate action. The members OF the con-
ference evidently had keen sense OF
the deep responsibility they had as
sumed as was made clearly evident by
the gravity OF their manner when they
left the President. At midnight the
great doors OF the White House were
closed and the President and Secretary
Lamont retired TO rest.