The Meeker herald., 1897-02-13


should be Instructed not to turn any
holy back.
After the decision In the Weldon
case, Judge Owers said. In which the
Icourt fixed s. as the rate Of pay for
all underground men and men at the
collar Of the shaft, and $3.50 for all
other surface labor. the officers of the
union declared that they were willing
to accept the Weldon decision as the
basis Of a settlement Of the strike
Witness suggested that the union take
action to that effect. and upon request
| drew up set OF resolutions. embody-
| ing the Weldon wage scale, which
| were adopted.
About August II witness asked for
permission to address the Union. He
| received permission and addressed
them at the Weston Opera house. He
ktod them that he considered the strike
linSpportune and Ill advised. He told
tham that II they would adopt the sug-
gsstions he made he believed that at
lest three or four mines would re-
sune. He further suggested that If
his suggestions were not adopted the
tstikers would be confronted by de-
fest. He offered the resolution and
Rasked that a secret ballot be taken on
~
On August IS he met John Maxwell
and was much worried over the out
Hook. He advised Mr.. Maxwell to put
his abstract books in place of safety.
He did not tell Mr.. Maxwell that he
had been In secret councils OF the un-
Ion. as he never was. He talked to him
as friend and his conversation is now
liistorted beyond his meaning. The
Ionly way in which he represented the
miners was as mediator.
Mr.. Campion, In his last interview
with him, told him he was willing to
Ipay the old wages on the Ibex, but
could not honorably withdraw from
the managers agreement.
\ Judge Overs had heard that Mr..
Campion had political ambitions and
had tried to move him By intimating
that by starting UP his mine he would
,open the door to any political ambi-
tion he might have. Becoming heated,
Judge Overs, In leaving said In pas
sion that 30 far he tried to bring about
Ia settlement, but that thereafter he
would do what he legally could to
make the strike success.
An August p Mr.. Higgins called on
him, saying the Coronado was threat
ened with an attack, but as he de-
clined to give the name of his inform
ant, the witness declined to act. He
had been convinced for some time that
the managers were doing everything
In their power to get the militia here
md have martial law declared. Wit
ness refused to call for the militia or
upon the governor until the power of
the county had been exhausted. He
declared that there Inns never been a
day since the commencement Of the
n kn hnr ths 80 ~ tn
the county could not have been served
Wttness-elaimed that he has been
much maligned In regard to the mp
pointment Of the managers posse to
go to the Coronado. he protested, as
Mr.. Griffith testified, against their be-
ing sent up, as there was danger in
pheir going. e
= Witness was asked by Senator Reu-
fer IL there was any prospect for less
Violence had the Coronado waited for
three or four weeks for things to set
De down.
The reply was, "Timc simply cools
hings down." There was much per-
|Pnal feeling here and possibly calmer
Judgment would have prevailed.
wouldn't the starting up of mines
any time precipitate confiictY'
"Certninly it would"
ther side. arbitration was suggested.
tut he never had authority from the
hion to offer arbitration. Still, he be-
bved that the union would have con-
knted to arbitration before the CorO-
hdo affair. He said there was n So
billed Law and Order league organized
7 the opera house. He did not believe
hat either the physical or legal situa-
lon justified the calling of the militia.
te went to the council chamber and
kked for the facts on which they
lased their demand for the militia.
Fhe aldermen seemed to be of the
lpinion that no facts We're necessary.
They spoke of number of outrages.
When the occasion arose he Joined in
lhe call for the militia. This was Mt
he time OF the Coronado affair. Wit
hess had no knowledge of u vigilance
Judge Overs admitted having said
10 T. l.. Davis, when told that armed
men were patrollng the county, warn
ing workmen away, that he (Owers)
thanked God that the constitution
guaranteed the right to carry arms"
He nlso said that he believed the Coro-
iado mine was started up to provoke
/ fight and get the militia here.
/ This afternoon they received quan-
Iity Of documentary evidence sub
nitted by both sides, and then nd
|ourned to meet again In Denver. Mon
lay morning. 1t il understood that |
he committee will hold meeting Mon |
1ay for the purpose of receiving q |
Itateinent from Ex-Governor McIntire, |
Governor Adams, State Labor Com |
|risslOner Kleet and Representative
b'Neill and Senator Grove. In the
svening the committee will listen to |
arguments by counsel for the mine
managers and the Miners union.
The committee will finish taking tes-
(lmony here tonight and this will con-
elude the investigation with the ex-
,eptI0n of testimony to he given at |
Denver by Governor Adams. ex-GOver- |
n6r McIntire and Labor Commission |
n Klett. This will be taken Monday.
md report will be prepared by the
,ommittee as soon as possible.