Rocky Ford enterprise., 1894-06-14
PEA CE PER(HES ON BULL Hill.
THE MILITIA IN CONTROL.
An Agreement Reached by Which this
Deputies Disband and tho Militia
Guard Mines and Make
Arrests.

Arrests.
The good news was flashed over the wire
from Denver to Cripple Creek late Monday
night that Governor Waite, representing the
miners, and Messrs. Hagerman and Moffat,
representing the mine owners, had agreed
upon terms of compromise, and that there
was q prospect of peace.
II appears that President Jeffery Of the Rio
Grande had interested himself in securing
peace and succeeded in getting the principals
named to go to the Equitable building Mod
day night.
Governor Waite was quick to submit to the
mine owners the same demands that were
made at the Colorado Springs meeting on
Saturday. In this the governor asked for
eight hours work with twenty minutes Of the
eight hours cut out for lunch, and the en-
ploymept of no non-union men. Tho offer
was not only promptly rejected, but the gov
ernor notified that unless reasonable and
fair" terms were offered the conference might
as well end.
The governors second proposition agreed
to eight hours actual work for days labor,
but 1t contained the clause SO Objectionable
to the mine owners, that referring to the en-
ployment only Of union men.
Again the governor was notified Of the re-
lection of the overture. The mine owners
claimed that apart from all sentiment, It
would be impossible for the mine owners to
open their mines without the right to employ
non-union labor. They questioned II they
could get enough people to man their mines,
and Il they did, there would be nothing to
prevent the men from repeating the pres
ft ,trht ,,la
them.
This, then, kft the governor no recourse
other than to bind the men to work eight
hours actual time, with twenty minutes at
noon for lunch, which twenty minutes is not
to be deducted from their eight hours labor.
He won the demand for S3 pay, but lost
the important part of employing only union
men.
paper was drawn up and signed by the
three parties. The conditions read as fol-
lows:
"First-That eight hours actual work shall
constitute day, divided rs follows: -Four
hours continuous work, then twenty minutes
for lunch, then four hours continuous work,
for which said eight hours Of labor there
shall be paid 50.
"Sccond-In the employment of men there
shall be no discrimination against union men
or against non-union men,"
Governor Waite acted for the miners on
the str ength of power Of attorney given by
the miners union of Cripple Creek. In order
to insure acquiescence on the part Of the
miners to the agreement the governor AT once
issued an order calling out the entire state
militia AMI ordering them to proceed to Grip
pie Creek under command Of General Brooks.
In this order he incorporated the following
command to the miners: can persons who
ever In said county Of Ell Paso unlawfully en-
gagged In strife are warned to preserve the
peace; any In possession of real property to
yield the possession thereof to the rightful
owners, and to cease from any and all acts
te nding to promote civil war, to the end that
the laws may resume their sway, and tn
rights of property determined by the courts"
When the news of the settlement was car
ried to Cripple Creek it was received with re-
joicing. Early Tuesday meeting of all the
strikers was to be held in Altman square, the
proposal of settlement submitted to them and
final action taken upon 1t. II the miners re-
fuse to ratify the agreement the whole state
militia numbering 800 men and reinforced by
nearly 1,COO deputies would be sent against
them.
The Denver Republican stated Tuesday
morning that the reason Governor Waite
asked for another conference and finally
made terms was that he did not want to ac-
cede to Sheriff Bowers request for state aid
supprcssing the belllgerant miners. Troops
sent In this way would be under the orders of
Sheriff Bowers and terrible conflict must en-
sue. Governor Waite's desire was to declare
disarm everybody, including the sheriff's
forces. His attorneys advised him on Mon
day noon, says the Republican, that In view
of the fact that Sheriff Bowers had asked for
troops, the governor could not do this. II he
desired the federal government could inter-
fere on the ground that the governor was vIo-
lating the law and that civil war existed.
Hence his renewed attempts 10 secure peace.
Monday in the Cripple Creek district was
day of excitement and dread. All the women
and children from the surrounding towns
were gathered at Cripple Creek to avoid the
dangers of battle. The stages and other
vehicles leaving the camp were loaded with
people. Reports were con-
stantly circulated that the deputies were ad-
vancing, and everyone was on the Qui rice. A.
T. Wood was carried to the miners fortress
Sunday night and given court martial on
charge Of having given AWAY the strikers
plans He was acquitted and released MJn
day.
In the agreement nothing was said about
the punishment Of the men who had violated
the law.
Sheriff Bowers continued to swear in depu-
ties and took $50 up to Divide In the after
noon. 1t was understood that Sheriff Bowers
intention was 10 retain the big force of depu-
ties until the mines were In the possession Of
their owners and until he had served warrants
upon large number Of the leading miners.
The number of arrests was put as high as 200.
Governor Waite expressed himself as salts
fed that there would be peace. He sent Gem
eral Brooks down to Colorado Springs to se-
cure the ratification by the other mine owners
Of the agreement. General Brooks was Then
to proceed to Cripple Creek and satisfy him
self OF the intention OF the miners 1t was
expected that these conferences would not he
completed before Thursday morning.
In the meantime the militia was sent for
ward. The troops from Denver did not get
away until late Tuesday night, as the Boulder
com pany was delayed. They went via Pueblo
to Florence. 1t was feared that they would
be delayed by floods near Pueblo.
The troops from other points also started
for Florence Tuesday night.
When the news of the compromise was re-
ceived at Cripple Creek there was great salts