The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-08-06

Washington, Aug, 4.-Governor At
kinson of West Virginia has written the
following reply to the labor leaders
Who recently conferred with him re-
garding the miners strike:
Charleston, W. Va, Aug. 8.
''Messrs. Gompers. Sovereign and
Ratchford, Committee, Etc:
Gentlemen-Referring to your visit
to me several days ago, in which there
was a friendly discussion between US
of certain passages of the labor trou-
bles in this state, and especially of the
4 strike Of the coal miners, and to your
several kilograms recently received,
and referring also especially to your
desire that l should take steps to Sc
cure to you and the workingmen of the
state the right and privilege of holding
public meetings for the discussion of
matters concerning the welfare of the
strikers, beg to say to you that have
given the matter most earnest conSid-
Grafton.
In this controversy there are to be
considered both the rights of property
and the rights of citizens. In our talk
you spoke Of a certain injunction that
had been issued by the circuit court of
Marion county against you and others,
according 10 the terms of which, as you
understood them, you were prevented
from holding meetings for the purpose
ization of the miners of the Fairmont
region. 1 understood that this injunc-
ton has not been served upon you, and
that you have not been called upon to
make any answer thereto. The circuit
court of Marion county belongs to the
judicial department of the state gov
erament, which is a separate and indie
pendent department from the execu-
tive, and it would be improper for me
TO express my opinion as to whether
said injunction was properly or i'm
properly Issued, or whether it is too
sweeping in its character or too COM
prehensive IL its scope, especially as
the matter has not yet been deter
mined by the supreme court of this
stafe, to which you can take an appeal
and in which you car, have no doubt,
have fair and proper hearing. I
have, however, requested the attorney
general to appear in the matter and
assist in having an early adjudication
by the supreme court of the state of
This injunction proceeding. I have done
tais because the injunction presents
somewhat novel questions, and 1 be-
lieve ii is the first of its kind to be
issued in this state, and because it af-
fects the rights Of a large number of
citizens of West Virginia.
The bin of rights of the constitu-
ticn Of this state guarantees the peo-
pie thereof the right TO assemble in a
peaceable manner to consult for the
common good, TO instruct their repre-
sentaStVes or to apply for redress of
grievances, and ii also provides that
no law abridging freedom of speech or
of the press shall be passed
These are rights which have come
down from magma charta, which rights,
as long as 1 am governor, shall be
preserved 10 the people of the state if
IN my power TO do so. It is the right
and duty Of the legislature to enact
laws; of the courts to construe them,
and Of the executive to enforce them
No one of these departments should
interfere with or usurp the functions
or prerogatives of the others.
j viii say, however, that 1 now hold
and have always held that the right of
free speech and of public assembly
should in no wise be abridged, and that
the widest possible liberty should be
allowed all of cur people. 1 have al
ways maintained that both the labOrer
and capitalist had the inherent right
to organize for the better protection OF
both OF their interests, provided such
organizations are made and maintained
within the restrictions of the statutes
of our state. Il is improper and unIaw-
ful o use threats, force or intimidation
of any sort to induce men to connect
themselves with or become part of any
organized body Of capitalists or labor
ers. II is also improper and unlawful
for any body of men. organized or
unorganiZed, to trespass upon the prop
erty or premises of a citizen: bur it is
my opinion that labor organizers or
capital organizers. or any other or
ganizers for that matter, may present
The causes in a proper manner. in
public places. to the people and induce
them by moral suasion to connect /
themselves with any organization which
is in itself not unlawful in its aims and I
Purposes. In other words, 1 claim the
right for myself as citizen Of West
Virginia to discuss politics, religion +
EAaience. labor organizations or any
Other subject l may choose TO discuss !
in public halls or on public highways (
provided always that l confine myself /
TO the requirements of the law which I
inhibits me from trespassing upon the 1
property and vested rights of other +
citizens. 1 mean to say that the bill of !
rights for our constitution allows me /
the privileges and that no court can
impair these rights IL I confine myself /
10 moral suasion and do not incite the |
people to riotcus conduct or other I'M
lawful acts.
$50 long as the worl1ingmen of this
state conduct their cause in a lawful
and peaceful manner, il viii be my I
duty, as 1t viii be my pleasure, to
protect them, but if they should in an
iEadvised hour. evoke the law by inter-
fering with the rights or property of
it will be my sworn duty 10 re-
press energeticaliy and speedily all
lawiessuess and TO see that the public
peace IS maintained at all hazards, and
that the property Of our people is pro-
tected; We must all, whether rich or
poor, employer or employee, high or
low, respect ana obey the law
Very respectfully yours,
GEORGE W. ATKINSON,
Governor"
laho Postmaster Appointed.