The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-10-14


cording to Governor Tanner, replied
that the mines would be run at all
hazards: that the company would en-
pioy such labor as they saw fit. that
they would import this labor and op-
crate the mines with il, even IL they
had to do it at the point OF the bayo-
nets and the muZZle Of the Winches-
ters.
The governor steadily refused to call
out the state troops, and charged the
operators with importing ex-convicts
and an undesirable class of workmen.
The operators declared that the men
they desired TO bring to their mines
had been chosen for their ability and
their capacity to become good citi-
zens. They also said they were will
ing to take back the strikers at the
scale of 2S cents a ton, but that they
could not open their mines at the
exorbitant demand of 40 cents.
Sheriff Davenport has been in SYM
pathy with the governor and says he
does not want to enforce laws that will
bring labor into the state and offered
to reason rather than undertake the
task
One hundred Springfield miners re-
enforced the Virden strikers October
10th, armed and determined TO prevent
the negroes from going to work. Arm
ed men have since been practically in
possession of the town.
WHAT GOVERNOR TANNER SAYS.
Springfield, October Ex-Governor
Tanner this evening regarding the Vir-
den riot said:
Mr. T. c. LOuckS, president, and
Mr. Lukens, superintendent of the Vir-
den Coal Company, at 1890 o'clock to-
day made good their threats to land a
train load of imported laborers from
the south and attempted to put them
to work in their mines, at the point of
bayOnetS and the muZZle of WincheS-
ters, (such laborers being drawn large
ly, if not entirely, from the criminal
classes, eX-cOnVictS, who learned their
trade while doing terms in the peniten-
tiary of Ala bama), after having been
fully advised and having full knowledge
that the landing of such imported Ia
borers would precipitate a riot. I had
wired them that if they brought these
imported 1aborers they did so at their
own peril, and under the circumstances
would be morally responsible and
criminally liable for anything that
might happen.
''The killed and wonded are largely
idle miners who were on the outside.
The others We're the hired guards who
We're brought along by the coal conn.,
non-residents of Illinois. There is no
means of learning their names or
whereabouts, for the reason that they
declined to give them out, knowing.
perhaps, that they are criminally liable
for murder as they had no permission
from any officer in Illinois authorizing
or deputiZing them to act as deputy
marshals of deputy sheriffs.
'These avaricious mine owners have
so far forgotten their duty to society
as to bring about this blot upon the
fair name of our state; have gone far
enough, yes, too far, as they had fair
warning from me, by wire and tele-
phone, that the importation of labor
which brings to our state an unde-
sirable class Of citizens had to stop,
and I say now to such, and all others,
that this is a thing Of the past; that it
shall not be tolerated in Illinois while
1 am governor. These men, the presi-
dent and officers Of the company, pre-
cipitated this riot by the bringing in
of this imported labor, are guilty Of
murder and should be, and I believe
will be indicted by the grand jury of
MacOupin county and tried and con-
victed for this heinuOus offense."
TROOPS ORDERED TO VIRDEN.
Chicago. October 12.-Colonel Young,
of the First Illinois volunteer cavalry.
received orders tonight to report at
Springfield Immediately with troops A,
B. G and D of his command. These
troops will leave at IL o'clock tOmOr-
row morning and from Springfield will
be hurried to Virden.
Washington, October 12.-Late to-
night a telegram was received by the
war department from Governor Tan
ner, of Illinois, that the Fifth Illinois
now on furlOugh be placed at his dis
pOsal to quell the riotous demonstra-
tiOns at Virden, Ill.
The situation at Nirden is represent
ed as critical and Governor Tanner IS
embarrassed because all of the state
militia are in the service of the United
States. He is unable to order to the
scene of the miners troubles any Of the
Illinois troops in the service of the
government without the authority OF
the secretary Of war. The matter in
wolves some difficulties which preclude
the possibility of a hasty decision. 1.
will be submitted to Secretary Alger
tomorrow morning and late tonight
Adjutant General Corbin said that the
probabilities are that the regiment will
be placed at the disposal of Governor