The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-15
PETITION TO GOV. ATKINSON.
People of Lyle Ask Protection From
LawIessness.

LawIessness.
Atlanta, Ca, June 14.-Gov. Atkinson
has been appealed to by the citizens of
the town of Lyle adjoining the Chicka-
manga camp ground, for an enforcement
of the state laws.
1t is alleged that the soldiers and other
people congregated there for money-mak-
ing purposes, daily violate the law and
that the state officers either cannot or will
not enforce them.
This morning f. A Worth, a merchant
of Lyle, representing other residents of
the place, citizens of Georgia, called at
the executive department and presented
petition asking the Governors assist
ance.
After receiving the petition and hearing
Mr.. Worth describe the lawless conditions
existing at the camp the Governor prom
Used to investigate the situation at once
and take the proper steps to see that the
state laws are obeyed. He will refer the
information to the Superior Court
Judge Henry, it is understood, has al
ready offered to hold a special term of
court in Walker county to try these cases.
The Governor thinks that the people liv-
ing there who are aggrieved should take
out warrants against the offenders, and
if this is done he assures them that pros
ecution will be vigorous If the executive
| has any power in that direction.
According TO the stories coming from
| Chickamauga things are in a pretty mess,
| the soldiers doing pretty much as they
| please, and whenever arrests have been
| Of Oh ha or
| tenders from the state officers.
| Following is a copy of the petition pre-
! sented to the Governor to-day:
The undersigned, who are engaged in
! legitimate business, and have the welfare
| of the public at heart in and around the
! town of Lyle. adjoining the Chickamauga
| National Park, do most respectfully call
| the attention of your excellency to the fact
/ that various and numerous violations of
| the law are daily INDUCED in at the above
/ mentioned place In the sale of liquors,
| wines, beer and other intoxicating drinks
| by numerous parties without authority or
| sanction of law, by which acts violent in
! fractions of the law are provoked, entail
| ing much damage and annoyance to the
| law-abiding people of said town, and fur
Their causing much trouble to the military
| ana park authorities stationed in the park
| and near said town of Lyle.
'"The officers of the law who have the
! power Of the enforcement thereof in the
| county of Walker seem unable or unwil-
/ ing to carry out the statutes of the state
! for the punishment of violators, and I'M
/ less your excellency will exercise the
| power vested in you, this violent element
| viii prevail and cause much damage and
| annoyance to those who desire to be law
| abiding citizens.
/ I'VE do most earnestly petition your ex-
| cellency to intervene in behalf of the good
| people of this portion of Walker county,
! and compel, if possible, the officers in au-
| thority to enforce the law as provided"
| The Governor has had this matter
! brought TO his attention several times. He
| said to-day: What the people up there
\ need is nerve. 1t Is not my duty so inter-
! fere until a warrant has been sworn out.
1 Behind the sheriff of Walker county is the
militia, and Gen. Brooke 1 am sure, is
ready with a federal force, to aid us II
| necessary. Let them swear out the war
rants. The Governor VIII enforce them"
GOV. Atkinson believes the matter will
| be settled at once as he has been assured
of Gen Brooke's cooperation. The Gov
ernor was member Of the state legisla-
| ture when the reservation act was passed,
and his recommendation is that the local