The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-08-06
REPLY TO LABOR LEADERS.
Letter from Governor Atkinson on the
EniOining of Strikers.

Letter from Governor Atkinson on the
E~njoining of
WASHINGTON, Aug. 5.-Governor Atkin-
sonson. of West Virginia, has written the
following reply to the labor leaders who
recently conferred with him regarding the
miners strike:
"Messrs. Gompers. Sovereign and Ratch-
ford, Committee. etc:
observation-disclosures to your visit to
me several days ago in which there was
a friendly discussion between US of certain
phases of the labor troubles in this State,
and especially of the strike of the coal
miners, and to your several kilograms re-
Gently received, and referring also especial
ly TO your desire that l should take steps
10 secure to you and the working men Of
the State the right and privilege of hold
ing public meetings for the discussion OF
matters concerning the welfare OF the said
miners, / beg 10 say to you that / nave
given the matter most earnest considera-
ton. In this controversy there are TO be
considered both the rights of property and
the rights of the citizen. In our talk you
spoke of a certain injunction that had been
issued by the Circuit Court of Marion coun-
ty against you and others, according to
the terms OF which, as you understood
them, you were prohibited FROM holding
pubic meetings FOR the purpose or DISCUSS
ing the benefits of the organization of the
coal miners of the Fairmont region. I
understand that this Injunction has not
been served on you, and that you have
not been called on TO make any answer
thereto. The Circuit Court of Marion county
Dt1OISS u the JUDICIAL department IL llG
state government. which is separate and IN
dependent from the executive and 1t would
be obviously improper for me to express
my opinion as to whether such an injunc-
ton was properly or improperly issued. or
whether it is too sweeping in it's character,
or too comprehensive in its scope. and es-
pecially as the matter has not yet been de-
termined by the Supreme Court of this
State, to which you can take an appeal,
and in which you can, / have no doubt,
nave a fair and proper hearing. / have.
however, requested the attorney general to
appear in the matter and assist in having
an early adjudication by the Supreme
ceedings. L have done this because the in
junction presents somewhat novel questions
to be issued in this State. and because it
affects the rights of a large number OF
the citizens of West Virginia.
The bill Of rights of the Constitution of
this State guarantees to the people thereof
the right to assemble in a peaceable man
ner, 10 consult for the common good, to IN
struct their representatives or to apply for
redress of grievances and it also provides
that no law abridging freedom of speech or
of the press shall be passed These. are
rights which have come down to us from
the days of Magma Charta, and which
rights, as long as am Governor, shall be
conserved to the people of the State If in
my power so to do. 1t is the right and the
duty of the Legislature to enact laws, Of
the courts to construe them, and of the ex-
ecutive to enforce them. None of these de-
partments should interfere with or usurp
the functions or ~prerogatives of the other.
1 will say, however. that 1 now hold. and
have always hold, that the right of free
speech and public assembly should in no
wise be abridged, and that the widest pos
sible liberty should be allowed all Of our
people.
Il nave always maintained that both la
Dor and capital had the inherent right to
organize for the better protection of both
of their interests, provided such ~organiza-
tons are made and maintained within the
restrictions of the statutes of our State. 1t
Is improper and unlawful to use threats,
fnFnl nr 1 N N a inn -nf nv Art a. nI,,~
men to connect themselves with or become
a part of any organized body of capitalists
or laborers. 1t is also improper and unlaw-
full for any body of men, organized or un-
organized, to treSpass upon the property or
premises of a citizen, but it is my opinion
that labor, organizers or capital organizers,
or any other organizers, for that matter,
may present their cause in a proper man
ner, in public places, to the people and in
duce them by moral sausion to connect
themselves with any organization which is
IN itself not unlawful in it's aims and pur-
poses. In other words, | claim the right
for myself as a citizen of West Virginia to
discuss politics, religion, science. labor or
CARNATIONS or any other subject | may
choose to discuss in public halls or on pub
fine myself to the requirements of the law,
winch 1nhibitS me from treSpasSing upon
the property and vested rights of other citi-
zens. l mean to say that the bill of rig hts
or our constitution allows me these privi-
Ieges. and that no court can impair these
rshts II l con1ne myself to moral suasion
and do not incite the people to %riotous con-
duct or other unlawful acts.
so long as the workingmen of this State
conduct their cause in q lawful and peace
tul manner 1T will be my duty, as it will be
my pleasure, to protect them; but if they
ShouId IN. an ill-advised hour violate the
law by interfering with the rights or IRON
erty of others, 1t will be my sworn duty to
Tepress theoretically and speedily all law
leSsnesS, and to see that the public peace
is maintained at all hazards and that the
property of our people is protected. for we
must all, whether rich or poor. EMPLOYER Or
law. G.. w. ATKINSON GoverSo r"0
"CharlestOn. w. Va. Aug 3"