The Savannah morning news., 1904-05-03

intention of the. Attorney General to
| suggest in these dispatches that inn
mediate and authoritative information
should be given to the Washington
authorities if "a time should arrive
| when, under the sanction of general
executive authority, or the constftu-
tional provisions, q military force
would be necessary at the scene of
disturbance. FL
PeriIs of Strikes" &C. II
In concluding his explanation of the
events leading up to the accomplish
ment of all the purposes of the gov
ernment's interference Mr.. Cleveland
said:
II hope I have been thus far sue
cessful in my effort to satisfactorily
exhibit the extensive reach and peril
Gus tendency of the CONFUSION under
consideration, the careful promptness
which characterized the interference of
the government, the constant desire of
the national administration to avoid
extreme measures, the careful limita-
tons OF its interference to purposes
which clearly seemed to be within its
constitutional competency and duty,
and the gratifying and important re-
suits of its conservative but stern ac-
tivity."
Then followed a most interesting
part of the address, the reading OF
the correspondence which passed be-
tween President Cleveland and Gov.
John P. Altgeld of Illinois. OF him
Mr.. Cleveland said This Official not
only refused to regard the riotous dis
turbances within the borders of his
state as a sufficient cause for an APP
plication to the federal government for
it's protection against domestic vio-
lence' under the mandate of the con-
stitution, but actually protested
against the presence of federal troops
sent into the state upon the general
governments initiative and for the pur-
pose of defending itself in the clearly
defined exercise of its legitimate fuTc-
tons"
The discussion following was illum-
mating of the whole question of states
rights and federal supremacy, conclud-
ing with this dispatch from Mr.. Cleve-
land:
while l am still persuaded that l
have neither transcribed my authority
nor duty in the emergency that con-
fronts us, it seems to me that in this
hour of danger and public distress dis
cussion may well give way TO active
efforts on the part OF all in authority
to restore obedience to law and to
protect life and property"
This" said Mr.. Cleveland CLOSED
a discussion which in its net result
demonstrated how far ones disposition
and inclination will lead him astray in
the field of argument"
Mr.. Cleveland concluded with brief
reference to the legal proceedings
which grew out of this disturbance,
land finally led to the adjudication by
the highest court in our land, estab
fishing in an absolutely authoritative
manner, and for all time the power
of the national government to protect
itself in the exercise of its func-
tions."
In sustaining the action of the United
States Circuit Court, which ordered
the Imprisonment of Debs and his
associate officers Of the A. r. U. for
disobeying its injunction, Mr.. Cleve-
land said, "The Supreme Court of the
United States, has written the con-
Guiding words of this history, tragical
in many of its details, and in every
page provoking sober reflection. Never
theless,, even those most nearly relat-
ed by executive responsibility to the
troublous days whose story is told.
may at this time congratulate them
selves that they have had to do with
marking out the way and clearing the
path, now MECHANICALLY established,
that shall hereafter guide our nation
safely and surely in the exercise of
all the functions belonging to II which
represent the peoples trust"