The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1910-09-06
SEEKS TO END
REIGN OF TERROR
Oenman Instructed to Probe
Disorders at Columbus.
HARMON PENS THREE LETTERS

One to Attorney General Calls Atten-
tion to Deplorabe Conditions At
tending the Car Strike, Another
Declines Request Of Labor Leaders
For Forced Arbitration and the
Third Guarantees Safety to All
Those Who Attend State Fair.
Columbus, O., Sept. 3.-In a letter
to Attorney General Denman, Cover
nor Harmon directs him to proceed
forthwith in an investigation of the
lawlessness which has reigned for
six weeks in this city. In an
other letter, addressed to the
labor committee which appeared be-
fore him last Wednesday evening. he
answered that he was for law and
order first, after which he would dis
cuss the proposition of settlement.
Besides these letters he issued
statement calling upon the citizens
| of Ohio to attend the Ohio State fair,
assuring them of protection, at the
same time giving the prospective WIS.,
itors to understand that the violence
in the city is confined only to such
parts as they would not care TO visit.
In his letter to the attorney gen
eral, the governor says:
Now that your work before the
special grand jury at Newark has
been concluded, call your attention
to the intolerable conditions existing
in Columbus.
Unfortunately, and contrary to
the custom prevailing in most of the
counties of the state, the court of
common pleas of Franklin county ad-
journed July 13 until Sept. II. I'm
der the power vested in me as COVER
nor of Ohio, / now direct that you
arrange with the prosecuting attor-
ney of Franklin county that the
grand jury which has already been
summoned for the 18th inst. shall
give immediate attention to the vio-
lators of the laws who have so sig
nally disgraced the capital of the
state since July "a last
Wants Complete investigation.
81 also request that the attention
of the grand jury be not confined to
cases which will be brought before
them by commitment from magis-
trates, but that they go further and
make sweeping investigation Of all
crimes connected with the pending
streetcar trouble. Let the investiga-
tion be swift thorough and sure, and
all of the resources of the state will
be at your back to assist in punish
| ing crime and making scoundrelism
odious in this community.
Especial attention is directed to
dynamite outrages. Tbs men who
are conducting this guerrilla warfare
against society must be discovered
and punished if civil government is
to continue in the land. No mercy
should be shown the terrorist who,
lacking courage of the mob and riot
er, skulks In dark places, sets his
deadly stuff and then hides himself
to await the explosion with fiendish
glee. The stone-thrower and the in
timidator are alike guilty of crime
under the laws of the state and will
not be tolerated in Ohio"
! 1t is understood that force of de-
tectves under the pay of the state
are on the job at present, and, like
the Newark lynching, many persons
will be hailed before the coming ses-
sion of the grand jury who least ex-
pect 1t. Besides the detective force
of the company has been busy for
weeks and have long list of names
of persons who have mingled with
the mobs. 1t is probable that these
persons will be charged with melting
riot.
Addresses Labor Leaders.
In his letter to labor representa-
tives, who requested the withdrawal
of troops and forced arbitration, the
governor replied:
81 did not understand that any fur.
ther answer was expected than the
one gave when Mr. Mahon and 9th
ers called on me Tuesday evening. l
told them that / am bound to employ