The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-08-06
HAS NO OPINIONS
GOVERNOR OF WEST VIRGINIA Re-
PLIES TO LABOR LEADERS.

PLIES TO LABOR LEADhhss
Injunction Appertaining to the Judicial
Branch, Co. Ordinate With the Execu-
Him to Say What He Thinks. in the Alb
stract, of Government by Injunction,
But II the judiciary Got Too Rank, and
Actually Tried 1t on, His Excellency's
Ice Crop Might Need Attention
Washington, Aug. Ex-Governor Akin
eon Of West Virginia has written the
following reply TO the labor leaders who
recently conferred with him regarding
the miners strike:
.fCharlestown, Aug. 3.
s'Messrs. Gompers, Sovereign and Ratcn-
ford, committee, etc.
Gentlemen: Referring to your visait
with me several days ago, in which
rhere was a friendly discussion between
US Of certain passages Of the labor trou-
bles in this state, and especially Of the
strike Of the coal miners, and 10 your
several kilograms recently received, and
referring also especially TO your desire
that I should take steps 10 secure TO
you and the working men OF the state
the right and privilege Of holding pubic
meetings for the discussion of matters
concerning the welfare Of the strikers.
I beg TO say 20 you that L have given
the matter most earnest consideration.
I'm this controversy there are 10 be
considered both the rights Of property
and the rights of the citizens. In our
talk you spoke Of certain injunction
that had been issued by the circuit court
OF Marion county against you and 9TH
ers, according TO the terms of which, as
you understood the matter, you were
prohibited from holding public meetings
for the purpose Of discussing the bene-
fits Of the organization Of the coal
miners of the Paramount region. / I'M
ders.and that this injunction has nor
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 depart
ment Of the state government, which is
a separate and independent department
from the executive; and it would be OBJ
viously improper for me to express my
opinion as to whether said injunction was
properly or improperly issued, or whether
IL is too sweeping in its character, or too
comprehensive in its scope; and espe-
cially as the matter has not yet been de-
termined by the supreme court Of this
state, to which you can make an appeal
and IN which you can, have no doubt,
have fair and proper hearing. l have,
however requested the attorney general
10 appear in the matter and assist in
having an cary adjudication by the su-
preme court Of the state, Of this injunc-
ton proceeding. / have done this be-
cause the injunction presents somewhat
novel questions, and / believe it is the
first Of its kind 10 be issued in this state,
and because ii affects the rights Of a
large number of citizens of West Virgin
ia.
THE bill OF rights Of the constitution
OF the state guarantees to the people
thereof the right 70 assemble in peace
able manner, TO consult for the common
good, to instruct their representatives.
or to apply for redress OF grievances and
1t alsop rovides 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, which rights. as long as / am
governor, shall be preserved to the peo-
pie of the state il in my power 10 do SO.
1t is the right and duty Of the legis.a-
ture to enact laws; of the courts to con-
strue them, and Of the executive TO en-
force them. No one Of these depart
ments should interfere with us or usurp
the functions or prerogatives of the 9TH
erS.
Il will say. however, that I 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 al
lowed all of our people. l have always
maintained that both labor and capital
had the inherent right 70 rganiza for the
better protection of both Of their in
terests, provided such organizations are
made and maintained within the restric,
tons Of the statutes of our state. L is
improper and unlawful to use threats.
force or intimidation of any sort 10 in
duce men to connect themselves with
or become part OF any organized body OF
capitalists or laborers. Il ia also i'm
proper and unlawful for any body OF
men, organized or unorganized. 10 tres
pass upon the property or premises Of a
citizen. but il is my opinion that the
labor organizers or capital organizers, or
any other Organizers. for thai matter.
may present their causes in a proper
manner. in public places 70 the people
and induce them by mora, suasion %
connect themselves with any organiza-
ton which is in itself not unlawful in
its aims and purposes. In Other words
/ claim the righ; for myself as a citizen
OF West Virginia 10 discuss politics. reli-
gion. science. labor organization or any
other subject I may choose TO discuss in
public halls or on public highways. pro-
vldei always that l confine myself TO
the requirements of the law, which inhib-
Its me tresspassing upon the proper y
and vested rights of other citizens.
mean 20 say that the bill Of rights o;
our constitution allows me the privilege
and that no court can impair these rights
If I confne myself 10 moral suasion aai
do not incite the people 10 riotous con-
fiicc or other unlawful acss.
so long as the worklngmen Of this
state conduct their cause in a lawful and
peaceful manner. il will be my duty. as
it VIII be my pleasure. - project them;
but II they should, in an il.-advisei hour.
evoke the .aw by interfering with the