The Governor's Telegram: How the Militia Was Called Out to the King County Coal Fields

Colonel J. C. Haines, in his argument before the supreme court yesterday and in his finely prepared brief, gave positive proof that the governor had ordered out the troops in the recent troubles in King county. In a telegram of June 24th to Governor Ferry he wrote: "The owners of the mines have appealed to me for protection. I have refused until properly ordered. If the sheriff requests me to send troops to use as a posse, can I do it without orders from you?"

To this the governor replied that if any officer named in section 860 of the code of Washington called for an armed force to suppress a riot or to enforce the laws at Gilman, in King county, he should immediately repair to the place with one or more companies of the National Guard, as he deemed advisable, and render such aid to the civil authorities as might be necessary.

In pursuance of these orders, Companies D and E were on the 29th day of June, 1891, ordered by Colonel Haines to the town of Gilman, at the request of the sheriff of the county. When the riot occurred at Franklin the situation was critical and the danger of a bloody battle at daybreak was imminent. There was no time in which to correspond in the usual way with the governor, and a telegram was sent by Colonel Haines stating briefly the facts and concluding: "I have ordered a company there and will accompany them. I have no specified orders from you except for Gilman. If my action is not approved, wire me at Franklin."

The governor did not wire Colonel Haines at Franklin, so he was justified in assuming that his action had been approved. Under this order a portion of Companies B and D proceeded to Franklin; two days afterward Company D was transferred to Gilman by virtue of the governor's order of June 25th, and at the request of the sheriff Company B remained at Franklin until finally relieved from duty. On the 2d of July, in consequence of the threatening attitude assumed by unauthorized armed bodies which had been organized at Franklin, Newcastle, Black Diamond and Gilman, and the consequent menace to the public peace, the governor telegraphed: "The civil authorities should disarm all unauthorized armed bodies at Franklin, Gilman and elsewhere in King county where there is danger of a riot or breach of the peace. You will render all necessary assistance to the civil authorities in this direction. After disarmament the sheriff and his deputies will probably be able to preserve the peace and the presence of the military will no longer be required."

Deeming the force in the field insufficient to carry out this order, Colonel Haines asked the governor whether he might, if necessary for its enforcement without breach of the peace, use any company of the regiment other than those now in the field. The governor replied: "You can use all of the First regiment for the purposes indicated in my dispatch of this morning, if necessary."