Rensselaer Republican, Volume 23, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1891 — STRIVING TO COMPROMISE [ARTICLE]

STRIVING TO COMPROMISE

Tennessee Miners Allow Convicts to Work Sixty Days, Under Conditions,

The miners’ committee left Knoxville on the morning of the 23d, and reached float Creek at 11 o’clock, with the decision of the Governor that if the convicts were allowed to be placed in the mines from which they had been evicted by the miners the militia would be withdrawn andthe Legislature would be convened in extra session for the purpose of taking such actionas it might see fit on theeonviet-leaee system. This did not meet with anything Ilk® universal satisfaction, but the implicit confidence the miners have in their leaders was shown by the unanimous vote to accept the report of a committee on resolutions which had been appointed, aqd which had been in session while tho Speakers were being heard. After long arguments the miners agreed on a course of action and drew up resolutions containing a proposition to the Governor. The proposition is that the troops must betaken home from Knoxville. The convicts can be returned to Coal Creek for sixty days only. "In the meantime the Legislature must meet and repeal the convict law system. This proposition was laid before the Governor by a committee, and after three hours interviownodeflnite compromise was effected. Governor Buchanan declines to consider the proposition for an armistice on tho ground that it would be an implied compromise with violators of law that might, at the end of that time, in case the Legislature declined to comply with the demands of the miners, be renewed with impunity. Tho representatives of the miners disclaimed any threat,and proposed to accompany the compromise with an explanation which would relievo it from any such construction. The Governor was firm, however, in his position, and declined to yield. Tliere is no longer any doubt but that the Govctnor will return the convicts to the mines at Coal Creek and Briceville. It is only a question ol how it will be done, The miners present at the conference express the opinion that if they are returned with only such guards as arc necessary to keep them in custody, not militia, and placed in their stockades* there will be no interference with them until the Legislature has been convened and has acted upon tho repeal of the lease system. If the militia be returned with the convicts, it js believed that their pres, enco will inflame the passions of the al* ready excited community, and a conflict with perhaps terrible results might follow. An inventor in Germany has made a clock that he warrants will go to the year 3999 without winding.