The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-08-04

Special Dispatch to the Intelllgencer.
CHARLESTON, W. Va. Aug, S.-Gov
Atkinson has written a letter to Messrs.
Gompers Sovereign and Ratchford, a
committee on behalf OF the striking min,
ers, who called on him to inquire con-
ceralag the Injunction against them. and
10 ask what were their rights in connec-
ton with addressing miners.
The full text of the letter follows:
referring to your visit to me several
days ago. in which there was n 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 telegrama
recently received; and referring also es-
peclally to your desire that should take
steps to secure to you and the working
men Of the state right and privilege OF
holding public meetings for the discus
sion OF matters concerning the welfare
OF the said minera, beg 20 say to you
that | have given the matter most earn
est consideration.
In this controversy. there arc to be con-
sldered both the rights OF property and
tine rights OF citizens. In our talk you
spoke Of certain injunction that had
been Issued by the circuit court OF Mar
ion county against you and others. ac-
cordlng to the terms of which, as you
understand them. you are prohibited
from holding public meetings for tho
purpose OF discussing the benefits OF the
organization OF the coal miners OF the
FaIrmOnt region.
The FaIrnont Injunction.
understand that this injunction has
not been served upon you, and that YOU
have not been called upon to make any
answer thereto. The circuit court o.;
Marion county belongs to the judicial
department OF the state government,
which is a separate and Independent de-
partment from the executive; and u
would be obviously improper for me to
express my opinion as to whether said
injunction was properly or improperly
issued. or whether 1t is too sweeping In
It's character. or too comprehensive In It's
scope: and especially as the matter has
not yet been determined by The supreme
court Of this state, 10 which you can talin
an appeal, and In which you can, have
no doubt, have a fair and proper hearing
! have, however, requested the attor-
ney general TO appear in this matter and
assist in having an early adjudication by
the supreme court Of this injunction pro
ceeding. I have done this because the
Injunction presents u somewhat novel
question. and believe II IS the first OF
the kind to be issued In this state, and
because 1t affects the rights OF Il large
number Of the citizens uf West Virginia.
The bill uf rights OF the constitution Of
this state guarantees to the people there
Of The right 10 assemble In peaceable
manner, TO consult for the common good,
IN instruct their Representatives. or to
apply for redress OF grievances" And
/, also provides that mo law abrldging
freedom Of speech or OF the press shall be
par5el.' These are rights which have
come down 10 us from the days OF Magma
Charta, which rights, as long as / am
governor shall be preserved to the people
o. the state, II II Is In my power 60 to do.
Separate Departments OF Government.
It Is the right and duty of the leglsla-
turc to enact laws; Of the courts to coma
strue them; ana OF the executive to en-.
force them. None Of these departments
should interfere with or ururp the func.
ton or prcrgutives OF the others. will
sny, however, that / now hold and al.
ways have held that the right Of free
speech and Of public assembly should
IN no case be abridged, and that the Wild
esi possible liberty should be allowed all
Of our people. have always maintain
ed that labor and capital had the inher-
ont right to organize for the better pro-
teCtIon OF both their interests, provided
such organizations are maintained With
In the restrictions OF the statutes ~ our
state. It 10 improper and unlawful tn
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 laborors. 1t Is
also improper and unlawful for any body
NJ men. organized or unorganlzcd 10 tres
pass upon the property or premises Of n
citizen. but II n my opinion that labor
organizers or capital organizers, or any
other organizers for that matter, may
present their causes In n proper manner,
In public placcs, 10 the people and In
duec thcm, by moral suasOn, TO connect
Themselves with any organization which
"a In itself lawful In lts aims and pur.
poses
Must Keep within Hounds.
In other words, claim the right FOR
myself, as a citizen Of West Virginia Ia
dircuss politics, religion science, tabor
organizations or any other subject |
may choose to discuss, In public hniis or
In public hlghwnys,provldcd always that
] opnnnc myaclf to the requirements oi
The law which lnhlbItg mo from trcHpa7.
sing upon the property and vested rights
NJ other cltEoW ! mean to ray that the
hlll VI flghtB VI our constitution allows
mr thrte privileges and that no court
CON impair these rights, n I clnnno my.
r1lf 20 moral BulGiOn, and do not inoltr
tho people TO riotyu conduct or uninwfH
acts
SO lnnF NJ the working mon of this
state conduct their cause In n Lawful and
peaceful mnuHer II viii bo my duty. ns II
VIII bn pleasure, 10 protect them, but II
thcy should, In nm ll.ndvlsod hour ylo-
lt'o the law by Interfering with Tho
rights or property NJ OlhrfB, II win Nd
ny uW0rn duty 10 reprcgi cuofgetltlliy
and ipesdily all iawisssnsra and ~ az
thaI The public peace II maintained at alI