The morning call., 1894-07-06


away. and in few other cases they cut
OIL Pullman cars from trains. But all
these troubles were local In character ana
could easily be handled by the State
authorities,
Illinois has more railroad men than anV
other State, but, as rule, they are orderly
ana well behaved. This is shown Dy the
TACT that SO very little actual violence mas
been committed. Only very small per-
centage of these men have been guilty OF
any lnfractions of the law. The news
paper accounts have. in many cases, been
pure fabrications, and in others Wllo ex-
aggerations.
L have gone thus into details to snow
ina! 1t Is not soldiers that the raliroaus
need so much as men to operate tralhs'
and that the condition does not exist there
which brings the cause within the federai
statutes, statute that was passed IN lool
ana was IN reality war measure. lhis
statute authorized the use OIL federal
troops in a State whenever 1t snail De
impracticable to enforce the laws OF the
United States within such State Dy the
ordinary judicial process. Such conul-
tiOu does not exist in Illinois. There nave
been few local disturbances, but notnlng
that seriously interfered with the admins
tration of Justice, for the Federal troops
can do nothing that the State troops can
not do.
l repeat that you have been imposed
upon in this matter, but even II Dy
forced construction it was held that the
conditions here came within the ietter Oh
the statute, l submit that local sell
government is fundamental principle vi
our constitution. Each community shali
govern Itself as long as it can ana Is reauy
aud bic to enforce the law. 1t IS IN mar
moDy with this fundamental principe
that the statute authorizing the Presldeht
to send troops into States must be con-
strued. Especially is this so in matters
relating to the exercise Of the police power
and the preservation of law and order.
To absolutely ignore local government
in matters of this kind, when the local
government is ready TO furnish assistance
needed and is amply able TO enforce the
law, not only insults the people OF THIS
State, by imputing 10 them an inablllty to
govern themselves or an unWllilngness 10
enforce the law, but is in violation 0f
basic principle Of our institutions. Inc
question of Federal supremacy is In no
way involved. No one disputes 1t for
moment. But under our constitution Fed
eral supremacy and local sell-government
must go hand in hand, and to ignore the
| latter is to DO violence to the constitution.
As Governor of the State OF Illinois
protest against this, and ask the immedi-
ate withdrawal of the Federal troops from
activity in this State. Should the stua-
tion at any time get so serious that we
| cannot control it with the State forces we
will promptly ask for Federal assistance.
but until such time | protest with all due
Difference against this uncalled-for refiec-
| ton upon our people, and again ask the
immediate withdrawal of these troops. L
have the honor to be yours respectfully,
JOHN P. ALTGELD.
Governor of Illinois.
The President is watching the Develop
ments of the situation at Chicago with
| deep concern. He is advised OF every
movement as reported to the War Depart
ment and Department of Justice.
| Apprehension is not confined 10 Chicago
alone. Sacramento is looked upon as a
particular threatening point, but up to this
! time there has been no warrant for military
| interference, inasmuch as the judicial
officers have not yet applied Tor troops.
| Preparations have been made, however, to
meet such calls without delay, probably
by dispatching troops from the Presidio.
The manager of the Western Union
| Telegraph Company was called upon to-
night to connect the White House wire
with one of the main wires to General
Miles headquarters in Chicago.