The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-10-13
TANNER LAYS BLAME
ON THE CORPORATION.
President and Superintendent Re-
sponsible, aud should lie In
dicted for Murder.

SPRINGFIELD. Ill. Oct i2.-Tn an in
terview with Gov. Tanner this evening re-
garding the Airien riot, he said
mir. T. {. Loucks, president. and Mr..
Lukens, superintendent OF the Virden Coal
Company, at 1920 O'Clock today made good
their threats TO land a train load OF inn
ported iaborers from the South. and at
tempted TO pat them 10 work in their
mines 81 the point Of the bayonet and the
muzzle OF the Winchester, such laborers
being drawn largely. fl not entirely. from
the criminal class, ex-conVicts, VINO learn
ed their trade while doing time in the peni-
ten,iaries OF Alabama. after having been
fully advised and having full knowledge
tina, the landing OF such imported labor
eTs wonid precpitate a riot.
Il had wired them that II they brought
these imported laborers they did so at
their own peru. ard. under the clrcum-
stances would be morally responsible and
crimnally liable for anything that might
From the information can gather at
this time the very minute the train stop
ped In front Of the coal shaft. where the
doors Of the stockade were thrown open
for the imported iaboreIs 10 enter. the fir
ing began. The killed and wounded are
largely idle miners who were on the out
side. The others were the hired guards
who were brought along by the coal COM
pany. Most. If not all Of them. We're non
residents of Illinois. There is no mea IS
OF learning their names or whereabouts.
for the reason that they declined to give
them out. knowing, perhaps, that they are
criminaily liable for murder. they had
no permission from any officer In Illinois
authorizing or deputiZtns them 70 act as
deputy marshais or deputy sherffs.
Instantly on learning OF the trouble
directed .Adjt. Gen. keece TO order Capt.
Craig, Of the Gaiesbnrg battery, and one
company Of the Sons or Veterans reRI-
ment. now stationed at Paua, 10 proceed
al once by the quickest route TO the scene
OF the trouble. Gen. Rcecc accompanied
Capt. Craig. and | have instructed Gen.
Reece 10 quen the riot and maintain or
der, protect life and property, 10 disarn
All persons bearing arms and 10 not allow
Imported lahorers 10 unload from any train
within the limits OF the city. nor to march
in body.
These avaricious mine owners have so
forgotten their duty IN society as 10 bring
out this blot on the fair name OF our state
have gone far enough. yes. 100 far. as
they had fair warning from me by wire
and telephone. that Importation Of labor
which brings To our state an undeslra p!
class Of citizens had TO stop. Ard [ say
now 10 such and all others, that this is a
thing OF the past; that it shall not lie toll
Grated IN Illinois While am governor.
These men. the president ana officers Of
this company. VINO participated in this riot
By the bringing in OF this imported labor
are guilty of murder and should be and 7
believe Will he. indicted by the grand jury
Of Macoupin county. ard tried and CON
Yicted for this heinous offense.'
Speaking q today's riots at Nirden. Gov.
Tanner said:
4 snail give Capt Craig. WHO will COM
mand the troops I am sending 10 Virde II,
orders to suppress riot, protect Efe ana
properly ard 10 not allow mp ported lstor-
ers 10 he uDloaaed al thar place : ace
the mine owners have carried out the
threat influenced by avarice and hone of
sai3, 10 preeipitate these riots md blood
shei. 10 not propose they shall further
disturb tie peace OF the state. The mine
owners and managers are responsible Tor
and quilts Or me murder brogEht about
the grand jury Of Macoupin county Tor
murder"