Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-07-16

II an unmitgated falsehood. III III IS
true that some OF Baldwin's men arrest
cd. beat, and put over the State lire s6Aie
persons. as charged by the Board OF
Trade. II was without my knowledge. ana
the civil authorities were competent TO
deal with them. and did 20 promptly, as
shown by the communication or the
Board OF Trade.
| have made regular reports or All oc-
currences OF which IL was my duty 10
take notice TO my superior officers whose
approval was all that was necessary.
have nothing to regret, and nothing 10
retract, and. under the same circum-
stances. would again ENFORCE the same
rigid discipline OF course, MI. BaDer
and some Of his associates would like 10
have US leave here in order That the
desperadoes Of West Virginia could come
in here and carry out their unlawful pur-
noses. buy their whiskey. and other
wares.
AS 10 my wlnIng and dining with
the company officials. I have been mere
sixty-seven days, I'm which time 1 nave
taken but three meals out OF my quar-
ters, and those with valued friends anu
not in an official capacity. l VIII wine
and dine with whom | please and wnen,
ever | please. regardless OF the apprONai
OF Baber and his crowd.
WHAT THE RESULT IL.
When the military came here the
two Virginia mines at this place had
about fifty men at work, and eXpecteu
them TO stop that day. But the pres
ence Of the military enabled them 10 con-
tinue work, and daily increase their force
until now the Southwest company mas
100 men, and Colonel Browning
large force at work. Within the last
month both mines exceeded their past
record OF output. and have mined more
coal than any two mines ever did IN this
coal-neld before in the same length oil
time over on the West Virginia slle
from two 10 eight miles from here, behoid
the contrast, with no military. IhirV
six mines. embracing millions OF uo1aiS
worth OF property. have been COMPARE
lively idle for nearly three months' anu
about ten thousand men idiing their tiiie
away, until many Of them are on 'he
verge Of starvation. -
Notwithstanding these facts some ~
the Operators have been trying 10 "oIh'
ard now have over 800 private guards
IN prevent the destruction Of their pro
partv bv n iawless mob. Compare the
conditions Of the two coal fields, ana theh
indigo of the wisdom Of Governor - J. et-
rail- in attempting 10 protect the lhteres,s
81 Virginia and the lives ana property
OF Nirginans. ,-,,,.,., ord
Tn reference TO Detective BALDWIN ana
his men. who are the objects of constant
attacks by a lot OF whining ours ""o
always take precautlon 10 MAINTAIN
safe distance between themselves ana lhe
objects Of their attacks VIII state Ioi
The information OF those who are not
conversant with the condition OF afairs
here that Mr. Baldwin Is gentleman
ana a deputy United States marshal ana
those of his men with whom | am ac-
ouainted are conservative and determined
noen selected for their qualifications as
coneeryators OF the peace. The eXae-
,-erated accounts Of their mode OF proce-
dl,re may seem severe 10 those who nave
no knowledge of the conditions with
which they have to deal, and the means
necessary 10 protect the property cohHded
10 their care. They are not feared, but
respected by all lawabiding citizens, and
only violators OF the law, Adventures,
labor agitators. and their sneakinS, hyIc-
critical accomplices seek 10 render them
odous in the estimation Of the public.
in order TO divert the attention Of the
public from their own nefarious designs.
HAS DONE HIS DUTY.
have consclentiousiy discharged M
duty as a soldier and Nirginian. intent
on preserving the pubic peace, tllOi tlHS
law. and preventing the INVASION Of VII
glnia by a lawless crowd from anothes
State. desiring TO intimidate our people
and prevent them from working to sap
rort themselves and their families. and
in doing so / have carried out the orders
Of my superior officers. In future j shall
treat with deserved contempt al criti-
cisms OF my conduct.
W. L. SIMONs.
Major Commanding Virginia Troops.