Omaha daily bee., 1897-08-06
REPLIES TO THE LABOR LEADERS.
VIII Assist in Getting nn Early Hear
Ing ON Iniuncti0n proceehIngs.


WASHINGTON, Aug 5-Governor Atkin-
son OF West Virginia has written the follow
ing reply to the labor leaders who re-
Gently conferred with him regarding the
miners strike:
CHARLESTON, Aug. 3, 1S97.-Messrs.
Gompers Sovereign and Ratchford, Commit
tee, etc-Gentlemen: Referring to your
visit to me several days ago, in which there
friendly discussion between us of
certain phases of the labor troubles in this
coal miners, and to your several kilograms
recently received, and referring also espe-
steps to secure to you and the workingmen
of the state the right and privilege of hold
ing public meetings for the discussion of
matters concerning the welfare of the
strikers, l beg to say to you that l have
given the matter most earnest considera-
considered both the rights of property End
the rights OF citizens;
In our talk you spoke of a certain injunc-
tion that had been issued by the circuit
court of Marion county against you and
others, according to the terms of which, as
from holding public meetings for the .pur-
pose of discussing the benefits of organizin$
the miners ,,C Of the Fairm9nt AR region; oo
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
government, which Is a separate and IN
dependent department from the executive,
to express my opinion to whether said
injunei was properly or improp rly issued,
acter, OF too comprehensive in its scope, and
especially as the matter has not yet been
state, to which you can take an appeal, and
in which you can, have no doubt, have n
fair and proper hearing. l 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
ID
1 have done this because the injunction
presents some new questions and ] believe
is the first of the kind to be issued in this
largo number of the citizens of west
The bin Of rights of the constitution Of
this state guarantees to the people thereof
THE right to assemble in peaceable man
ner, TO consult for the common good. TO
instruct their representatives or to apply
vides t that at NO law abTdging freedom edo p Of
These are rights which have come down to
us from the days of Magma Charta, which
rights, as long as / am governor, shall be
my power so to do.
it IS the, rIeht and duty fthe legislature
them, and of the executive to enforce them
No one Of these Departments, should inter
gatves of the others.
w awSys 2y hSTvf SgS Fiat that the & hSa Of fred
no wise be abridged, and that the widest
posi- bile liberty should be allowed al OF our
people, l have always maintained that
both labor and capital and the inherent
right to organize for the better protection
ganizatons are made and maintained within
the restrictions of the statutes of our state
II Is improper and unlawful to use threats
force or intimidation of any sort TO induce
men to connect themselves with or become
part fany organized body of capitalists
lawful for any body of men, organized or
unorganized, to trespass upon the property
ion that labor organizers or capital or
ganiZers, or any other organizers for that
matter may present their causes in a proper
manner, In public places, 10 the people, and
induce them, by moral suaslon, to connect
themselves with any organizatIo which is
In Itself not unlawful In its aims and pur-
poses.
INsUREs PROTECTION TO ALL.
In other words, claim the right for roy
ization or any other subject | may choose
to discuss n public halls or on public high-
self to the requirements OF the law, which
irhibits me from trespassing upon the prop
| mean TO say that the bill of rights of our
constitution allows me these privileges and
contine myself to moral suasion and do not
| inclte the people to riotouS conduct or other
SO long as the workingmen Of this state
conduct their cause in a lawful and peaceful
manner II will be my duty, as it win be my
pleasure, 10 protect them, but If they should
in an lll-advised hour violate the law by
others il viii be my sworn duty to repress
energetically and speedily all lawessness
and to see that the public peace is main
tanned at all hazards and that the property
Of our people is protected, for We must ali,
whether rich or poor, employer or employe,
high or low, respect and obey the law
Very Respectfully Yours
GEORGE w. ATKINSON, Governor.
Convention of Illinois Miners.
SPRINGFIELD. Ill, Aug 5.-About 300
miners were in attendance today at the open