The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-10
MILITARY MAY TESTIFY
Col. Anderson Writes Mayor Maurice
About TAYLOR Killing.

SOIt FtIluGISOII NNIIlCS lHdyOI
About Taylor Killing.
Among tho Interesting developments Of
yesterday was the publication Of tho fol-
lowing letter from Colonel Anderson to
Mayor Maurice, Of Manchester, which
correspondence explains itself:
Headquarters Troops in the Field.
Richmond. Va, July s. 1903.
Hon. Fl. A. Maurice, Mayor of the City
OF Manchester:
My Dear Mayor,-The question OF my
reporting to you the names of the troops
now serving the State, and your city,
who We're posted on and about Cowardin
Avenue last Saturday night, In order
that they might be summoned as Wit
nesses before tho coroner and the grand
jury, is one that has given ME deep
concern and anxiety.
On the one hand. 7. a ga citizen. felt
and feel an earnest desire. not ever to
appear to obstruot any lawful and prop
or action that the authorities see fit to
action at this time, when the state Of the
public mind gives ground to fear that
calm judicial Investigation and proceed
Ing may be temporarily interrupted On
responsibilities OF a commander OF
troops called into active service in the
manner prescribed by law make 1t i'm
perat tive that my action should be most
carefully considered from the standpoint
OF law and OF sound policy. az well as
of the sa fety Of my men and their proper
and lawful protection.
In the eye of the law my opinion Is
that troops called into the service of the
State to protect life and property and
to maintain law and order. represent the
ultimate cxertion Of the sovereignty Of
the State. Its armed force s the last
evidence Of It's sovereign power. When
that is crushed. the sovereignty OF the
State Is overthrown.
This armed force is called into being
to meet conditions before which the Or
binary civil agencies are powerless. s
Is called upon in the manner prescribe
vby law, and the law imposes upon y
mar1ds the discharge of these duties UNI
der heavy penalties.
Surely, then. the law itself cannot be
the selfsame, ordinary, AGENCIES, wf1 me-!
have proven impotent. interfere to dis
integrate and dispense the force by orui-
nary processes, while the paramount duty
for which the law has assembled the
forco remains untliseharE !; y, s,,h-
RI the force can be dispersed by SUD
poenas to serve as witnesses, or by war,
rants for arrest. COMMITMENT or triai
for alleged offenses done In discharge OF
the duties the law imposes before those
duties are completely discharged, then
the whole provision of law for calling
upon the sovereign power of the State
to maintain and defend the primary op-
iects of government is a mockcry: for
it would lie in the power Of every mag
istrate, however humble or III dispIo ., ~.
TO scatter the force as fast as 1t could ne
assembled. And. indeed. the very rioters
or Observation-Disclosures themselves. or their
sympathizers by, misuse and abuse or
such process, could remove the entire co ON,
the law has called. to such remote sec
lions OF the State az WAS desired: for
If one magistrate has this power, all
magistrates have it also.
Srch processes must of necessity await
the examinations of the active duty upon