Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-08-05
GOVERNOR ATKINSON'S REPLY
The Chief Executive of West Virginia
Sends An Answer to the Labor
Leaders Who Recently Con-
ferred With Him Regard
ing the Strike.
He Says That He Will Protect the
Workingmen of His State Just as
Long as They Will Respect
the Law.

Washington, Aug. 5.-Governor Atkin.
son of West Virginia, has written a reply
to the labor leaders, who recently con-
ferred with him regarding the miners
strike. He says: "In this controversy
there are to be considered both the rights
of property and the rights of citizens
In our talk you spoke of certain in
junction issued by the Circuit court of
Marion county against you and others,
according to the terms of which, as you
understand them, you are prevented from
holding public meetings, for the purpose
of discussing the benefits of organization
for miners of the Fairmont region. l
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 of Marion county,
belongs to the judicial department of the
state government, which is a separate and
independent department from the execu-
tive, and it would be obviously improper,
for ne to express my opinion, as to
whether said injunction was properly or
Improperly issued, or whether it is too
sweeping in character, or too compre-
hensive in scope, especially as this matter
has not yet been determined by the
Supreme court of this state, to which
you can take appeal, and in which you
can, have no doubt, have fair and
proper hearing. I have, however, re-
quested the attorney general to appear
in the matter and assist in having an
early adjudication, by the Supreme court
of the state in this injunction proceed
ing. I have done this because the in
junction presents several somewhat novel
questions, and believe it is the first of
it's kind, to be issued in this state, and be-
cause it affects the rights of large num-
Der of citizens of West Virginia.
n claim the right for myself as citizen
of West Virginia, to discuss politics,
religion, science, laboy organization, or
any other sub ject may choose to discuss
in public halls, or on the public highways,
provided always confine myself to the
requirements of law, which inhibits me
from trespassing upon property and the
vested rights of other citizens. I mean
to say that the bill Of rights in our con.
stitution, allows me this privilege, and
that no court can impair these rights, if
confne myself to moral suasion and do
not incite people to riotous conduct, or
other unlawful acts.
$50 long as the working men of this
state conduct their cause in lawful and
peaceful manner, it will be my duty and
it will be my pleasure, to protect them,
but if they should in an ill-advised hour,
evoke the law by interfering with the
rights or property. of Others, it will be my
sworn duty tnrepress energeticslly' and
speedily, all lawlessness, and sos shat the
public peace is maintained at all hazards,
and the property of our people is pro-
teoted; We must all, whether oh or poor,
employer or employe, high or low, re-
spect and obey the law. Very respect
fully yours, GEO. W. ATKINSON.