It was the intention of the Attorney-General to suggest in these
despatches that immediate 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 constitutional and
statutory provisions above quoted, a military force would be necessary
at the scene of disturbance.
On the 2d of July, the day after these despatches were sent,
information was received from the district attorney and special counsel
that a sweeping injunction had been granted against Eugene V. Debs,
president of the American Railway Union, and other officials of that
organization, together with parties whose names were unknown, and
that the writs would be served that afternoon. The special counsel
also expressed the opinion that it would require Government troops to
enforce the orders of the court and protect the transportation of mails.
Major-General Schofield was then in command of the army; and, after a
consultation with him, in which the Attorney-General and the Secretary
of War took part, I directed the issuance of the following order by
telegraph to General Nelson A. Miles, in command of the Military
Department of Missouri, with headquarters at Chicago:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY.
WASHINGTON, July 2, 1894.
_To the Commanding-General,
Department of Missouri,
Chicago, Ill._
You will please make all necessary arrangements confidentially
for the transportation of the entire garrison at Fort
Sheridan--infantry, cavalry, and artillery--to the lake front
in the city of Chicago. To avoid possible interruption of the
movement by rail and by marching through a part of the city, it
may be advisable to bring them by steam-boat. Please consider
this matter and have the arrangements perfected without delay.
You may expect orders at any time for the movement. Acknowledge
receipt and report in what manner movement is to be made.
J. M. SCHOFIELD,
_Major-General Commanding_.
It should by no means be inferred from this despatch that it had been
definitely determined that the use of a military force was inevitable.
It was still hoped that the effect of the injunction would be such that
this alternative might be avoided. A painful emergency is created
when public duty forces the necessity of placing trained soldiers
face to face with riotous opposition to the general Government, and
an acute and determined defiance to law and order. This course, once
entered upon, admits of no backward step; and an appreciation of the
consequences that may ensue cannot fail to oppress those responsible
for its adoption with sadly disturbing reflections. Nevertheless, it
was perfectly plain that, whatever the outcome might be, the situation
positively demanded such precaution and preparation as would insure
readiness and promptness in case the presence of a military force
should finally be found necessary.
On the morning of the next day, July 3, the Attorney-General received a
letter from Mr. Walker, the special counsel, in which, after referring
to the issuance of the injunctions and setting forth that the marshal
was engaged in serving them, he wrote:
I do not believe that the marshal and his deputies can protect
the railroad companies in moving their trains, either freight
or passenger, including, of course, the trains carrying United
States mails. Possibly, however, the service of the writ of
injunction will have a restraining influence upon Debs and
other officers of the association. If it does not, from
present appearances, I think it is the opinion of all that the
orders of the court cannot be enforced except by the aid of the
regular army.
Thereupon the Attorney-General immediately sent this despatch to the
district attorney:
I trust use of United States troops will not be necessary. If
it becomes necessary, they will be used promptly and decisively
upon the justifying facts being certified to me. In such case,
if practicable, let Walker and the marshal and United States
judge join in statement as to the exigency.
A few hours afterward the following urgent and decisive despatch
from the marshal, endorsed by a judge of the United States court
and the district attorney and special counsel, was received by the
Attorney-General.
CHICAGO, ILL., July 3, 1894.
Hon. RICHARD OLNEY, _Attorney-General_,
Washington, D. C.:
When the injunction was granted yesterday, a mob of from two
to three thousand held possession of a point in the city near
the crossing of the Rock Island by other roads, where they had
already ditched a mail-train, and prevented the passing of any
trains, whether mail or otherwise. I read the injunction writ
to this mob and commanded them to disperse. The reading of
the writ met with no response except jeers and hoots. Shortly
after, the mob threw a number of baggage-cars across the track,
since when no mail-train has been able to move. I am unable to
disperse the mob, clear the tracks, or arrest the men who were
engaged in the acts named, and believe that no force less than
the regular troops of the United States can procure the passage
of the mail-trains, or enforce the orders of the courts. I
believe people engaged in trades are quitting employment
to-day, and in my opinion will be joining the mob to-night and
especially to-morrow; and it is my judgment that the troops
should be here at the earliest moment. An emergency has arisen
for their presence in this city.
J. W. ARNOLD,
_United States Marshal_.
We have read the foregoing, and from that information, and
other information that has come to us, believe that an
emergency exists for the immediate presence of United States
troops.
P. S. GROSSCUP, _Judge_.
EDWIN WALKER, }
THOMAS E. MILCHIST,} _Attys_.
In the afternoon of the same day the following order was telegraphed
from army headquarters in the city of Washington:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY.
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 3, 1894,
4 o’clock P.M.
TO MARTIN, _Adjutant-General_,
Headquarters Department of Missouri,
Chicago, Ill.
It having become impracticable in the judgment of the President
to enforce by the ordinary course of judicial proceedings the
laws of the United States, you will direct Colonel Crofton to
move his entire command at once to the city of Chicago (leaving
the necessary guard at Fort Sheridan), there to execute the
orders and processes of the United States court, to prevent
the obstruction of the United States mails, and generally
to enforce the faithful execution of the laws of the United
States. He will confer with the United States marshal, the
United States district attorney, and Edwin Walker, special
counsel. Acknowledge receipt and report action promptly. By
order of the President.
J. M. SCHOFIELD, _Major-General_.
Immediately after this order was issued, the following despatch was
sent to the district attorney by the Attorney-General:
Colonel Crofton’s command ordered to Chicago by the President.
As to disposition and movement of troops, yourself, Walker, and
the marshal should confer with Colonel Crofton and with Colonel
Martin, adjutant-general at Chicago. While action should
be prompt and decisive, it should of course be kept within
the limits provided by the Constitution and laws. Rely upon
yourself and Walker to see that this is done.
Colonel Martin, adjutant-general at Chicago, reported, the same night
at half-past nine o’clock, that the order for the movement of troops
was, immediately on its receipt by him, transmitted to Fort Sheridan,
and that Colonel Crofton’s command started for Chicago at nine o’clock.
During the forenoon of the next day, July 4, Colonel Martin advised the
War Department that Colonel Crofton reported his command in the city of
Chicago at 10:15 that morning. After referring to the manner in which
the troops had been distributed, this officer added: “People seem to
feel easier since arrival of troops.”
General Miles, commanding the department, arrived in Chicago the same
morning, and at once assumed direction of military movements. In
the afternoon of that day he sent a report to the War Department at
Washington, giving an account of the disposition of troops, recounting
an unfavorable condition of affairs, and recommending an increase of
the garrison at Fort Sheridan sufficient to meet any emergency.
In response to this despatch General Miles was immediately authorized
to order six companies of infantry from Fort Leavenworth, in Kansas,
and two companies from Fort Brady, in Michigan, to Fort Sheridan.
On the fifth day of July he reported that a mob of over two thousand
had gathered that morning at the stock-yards, crowded among the troops,
obstructed the movement of trains, knocked down a railroad official,
and overturned about twenty freight-cars, which obstructed all freight
and passenger traffic in the vicinity of the stock-yards, and that the
mob had also derailed a passenger-train on the Pittsburg, Fort Wayne
and Chicago Railroad, and burned switches. To this recital of violent
demonstrations he added the following statement:
The injunction of the United States court is openly defied,
and unless the mobs are dispersed by the action of the police
or they are fired upon by United States troops, more serious
trouble may be expected, as the mob is increasing and becoming
more defiant.
In view of the situation as reported by General Miles, a despatch was
sent to him by General Schofield directing him to concentrate his
troops in order that they might act more effectively in the execution
of orders theretofore given, and in the protection of United States
property. This despatch concluded as follows:
The mere preservation of peace and good order in the city is,
of course, the province of the city and state authorities.
The situation on the sixth day of July was thus described in a despatch
sent in the afternoon of that day by General Miles to the Secretary of
War:
In answer to your telegram, I report the following: Mayor
Hopkins last night issued a proclamation prohibiting
riotous assemblies and directing the police to stop people
from molesting railway communication. Governor Altgeld has
ordered General Wheeler’s brigade on duty in Chicago to
support the Mayor’s authority. So far, there have been no
large mobs like the one of yesterday, which moved from 51st
Street to 18th Street before it dispersed. The lawlessness
has been along the line of the railways, destroying and
burning more than one hundred cars and railway buildings,
and obstructing transportation in various ways, even to the
extent of cutting telegraph lines. United States troops have
dispersed mobs at 51st Street, Kensington, and a company of
infantry is moving along the Rock Island to support a body of
United States marshals in making arrests for violating the
injunction of the United States court. Of the twenty-three
roads centering in Chicago, only six are unobstructed in
freight, passenger, and mail transportation. Thirteen are at
present entirely obstructed, and ten are running only mail-
and passenger-trains. Large numbers of trains moving in and
out of the city have been stoned and fired upon by mobs, and
one engineer killed. There was a secret meeting to-day of
Debs and the representatives of labor unions considering the
advisability of a general strike of all labor unions. About
one hundred men were present at that meeting. The result is
not yet known. United States troops are at the stock-yards,
Kensington, Blue Island, crossing of 51st Street, and have
been moving along some of the lines: the balance, eight
companies of infantry, battery of artillery, and one troop
of cavalry, are camped on Lake Front Park, ready for any
emergency and to protect Government buildings and property. It
is learned from the Fire Department, City Hall, that a party of
strikers has been going through the vicinity from 14th to 41st
streets and Stewart Avenue freight-yards, throwing gasoline on
freight-cars all through that section. Captain Ford, of the
Fire Department, was badly stoned this morning. Troops have
just dispersed a mob of incendiaries on Fort Wayne tracks, near
51st Street, and fires that were started have been suppressed.
Mob just captured mail-train at 47th Street, and troops sent to
disperse them.
On the eighth day of July, in view of the apparently near approach of
a crisis which the Government had attempted to avoid, the following
Executive Proclamation was issued and at once extensively published in
the city of Chicago:
Whereas, by reason of unlawful obstruction, combinations and
assemblages of persons, it has become impracticable, in the
judgment of the President, to enforce, by the ordinary course
of judicial proceedings, the laws of the United States within
the State of Illinois, and especially in the city of Chicago
within said State; and
Whereas, for the purpose of enforcing the faithful execution of
the laws of the United States and protecting its property and
removing obstructions to the United States mails in the State
and city aforesaid, the President has employed a part of the
military forces of the United States:--
Now, therefore, I, Grover Cleveland, President of the United
States, do hereby admonish all good citizens, and all persons
who may be or may come within the City and State aforesaid,
against aiding, countenancing, encouraging, or taking any part
in such unlawful obstructions, combinations, and assemblages;
and I hereby warn all persons engaged in or in any way
connected with such unlawful obstructions, combinations,
and assemblages to disperse and retire peaceably to their
respective abodes on or before twelve o’clock noon of the 9th
day of July instant.
Those who disregard this warning and persist in taking part
with a riotous mob in forcibly resisting and obstructing the
execution of the laws of the United States, or interfering with
the functions of the Government, or destroying or attempting to
destroy the property belonging to the United States or under
its protection, cannot be regarded otherwise than as public
enemies.
Troops employed against such a riotous mob will act
with all the moderation and forbearance consistent with
the accomplishment of the desired end; but the stern
necessities that confront them will not with certainty permit
discrimination between guilty participants and those who are
mingling with them from curiosity and without criminal intent.
The only safe course, therefore, for those not actually
participating, is to abide at their homes, or at least not to
be found in the neighborhood of riotous assemblages.
While there will be no vacillation in the decisive treatment
of the guilty, this warning is especially intended to protect
and save the innocent.
On the 10th of July, Eugene V. Debs, the president of the American
Railway Union, together with its vice-president, general secretary, and
one other who was an active director, were arrested upon indictments
found against them for complicity in the obstruction of mails and
interstate commerce. Three days afterward our special counsel expressed
the opinion that the strike was practically broken. This must not
be taken to mean, however, that peace and quiet had been completely
restored or that the transportation of mails and the activities of
interstate commerce were entirely free from interruption. It was only
the expression of a well-sustained and deliberate expectation that the
combination of measures already inaugurated, and others contemplated
in the near future, would speedily bring about a termination of the
difficulty.
On the seventeenth day of July an information was filed in the United
States Circuit Court at Chicago against Debs and the three other
officials of the Railway Union who had been arrested on indictment
a few days before, but were then at large on bail. This information
alleged that these parties had been guilty of open, continued, and
defiant disobedience of the injunction which was served on them July
3, forbidding them to do certain specified acts tending to incite and
aid the obstruction of the carriage of mails and the operation of
interstate commerce. On the footing of this information these parties
were brought before the court to show cause why they should not be
punished for contempt in disobeying the injunction. Instead of giving
bail for their freedom pending the investigation of this charge against
them, as they were invited to do, they preferred to be committed to
custody--perhaps intending by such an act of martyrdom either to revive
a waning cause, or to gain a plausible and justifying excuse for
the collapse of their already foredoomed movement. Debs himself, in
speaking of this event afterward, said: “As soon as the employees found
that we were arrested and taken from the scene of action they became
demoralized, and that ended the strike.”
That the strike ended about the time of this second arrest is
undoubtedly true; for, during the few days immediately preceding and
following the seventeenth day of July, reports came from nearly all
the localities to which the strike had spread, indicating its defeat
and the accomplishment of all the purposes of the Government’s
interference. The successful assertion of national authority was
conclusively indicated when on the twentieth day of July the last of
the soldiers of the United States who had been ordered for duty at the
very center of opposition and disturbance, were withdrawn from Chicago
and returned to the military posts to which they were attached.
I hope I have been successful thus far in my effort satisfactorily to
exhibit the extensive reach and perilous tendency of the convulsion
under consideration, the careful promptness which characterized the
interference of the Government, the constant desire of the national
administration to avoid extreme measures, the scrupulous limitation
of its interference to purposes which were clearly within its
constitutional competency and duty, and the gratifying and important
results of its conservative but stern activity.
I must not fail to mention here as part of the history of this
perplexing affair, a contribution made by the governor of Illinois to
its annoyances. This official not only refused to regard the riotous
disturbances within the borders of his State as a sufficient cause for
an application to the Federal Government for its protection “against
domestic violence” under the mandate of the Constitution, but he
actually protested against the presence of Federal troops sent into the
State upon the general Government’s own initiative and for the purpose
of defending itself in the exercise of its well-defined legitimate
functions.
On the fifth day of July, twenty-four hours after our soldiers had been
brought to the city of Chicago, pursuant to the order of July 3d, I
received a long despatch from Governor Altgeld, beginning as follows:
I am advised that you have ordered Federal troops to go into
service in the State of Illinois. Surely the facts have not
been correctly presented to you in this case or you would not
have taken the step; for it is entirely unnecessary and, as it
seems to me, unjustifiable. Waiving all question of courtesy,
I will say that the State of Illinois is not only able to take
care of itself, but it stands ready to-day to furnish the
Federal Government any assistance it may need elsewhere.
This opening sentence was followed by a lengthy statement which so far
missed actual conditions as to appear irrelevant and, in some parts,
absolutely frivolous.
This remarkable despatch closed with the following words:
As Governor of the State of Illinois, I protest against this
and ask the immediate withdrawal of Federal troops from active
duty in this State. Should the situation at any time get so
serious that we cannot control it with the State forces, we
will promptly and freely ask for Federal assistance; but
until such time I protest with all due deference against this
uncalled-for reflection upon our people, and again ask for the
immediate withdrawal of these troops.
Immediately upon the receipt of this communication, I sent to Governor
Altgeld the following reply:
Federal troops were sent to Chicago in strict accordance with
the Constitution and the laws of the United States, upon the
demand of the Post-Office Department that obstructions of the
mails should be removed, and upon the representation of the
judicial officers of the United States that process of the
Federal courts could not be executed through the ordinary
means, and upon abundant proof that conspiracies existed
against commerce between the States. To meet these conditions,
which are clearly within the province of Federal authority, the
presence of Federal troops in the city of Chicago was deemed
not only proper but necessary; and there has been no intention
of thereby interfering with the plain duty of the local
authorities to preserve the peace of the city.