The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-27
Special Dispatch to Tho InteilIgencer.

Special Dispatch to the Intelllgencer'
CHARLESTON, W. Va, July 2s.--In
his recent trip 90 Chicago and other
western points Governor Atkinson was
interviewed at various places upon hls
attitude toward the strike. At oil times
he expressed himself as the friend Of
labor, which he has shown himself to be
in his long public career, Yet, some un-
scrupulous newspaper correspondents
circulated report In the eastern papers
that he refused to allow Debs and Sow
ereign to speak at different points, and
also stated that he had called for asslst-
anee from the United States government
to duell the strike. Upon his return home
he found the following letter awaiting
him:
George W. Atkinson, Governor Of West
Virginia.
SIR:-At the last meeting of the Fed
Grafton the following resolutions were
adopted and given to the press:
Resolved, by the Federation OF Labor,
That we denounce the action of Governor
Atkinson as cowardIy and bfood-thirsty,
and point to this as another series Of In
suits and outrages upon labor. which
should be remembered at the ballot box
by the working class. and be II further
Resolved. That we denounce the militia
as tools OF the capitalist class, who are
used by said class 10 overcome and muir
der the working class when struggling
for their rights as men and American cit
liens.
Resolved. That we denounce working
men belonging TO the militia as enemies,
either conscious or unconscious, OF the
working class.
Resolved, That copy of these resolu-
tlons be given the press and copy be
sent Governor Atkinson.
(signed) CHARLES ATKINSON,
Secretary.
COO C street. N. W. Washington, D. C.
In reply the governor expresses him
self In the following emphatic manner:
Charles Atkinson, ESQ, Sec. Federation
of Labor.
900 c street. N. w. Washington, D. C.
SIR:--I have Just returned from ten
days absence from my office. and find
your letter dated July 23d inst, In which
tethatatameetingo your fedora
tlon, held few days ago, you saw NJ 10
deRoaRce me az a cpwardly and blood
thirsty man, without assigning any rea-
son therefor. This Is the first time In my
recollection that have been denounced
as cowarlly and blood thirsty. do not
believe that am guilty OF either charge.
The newspapers say the reason that you
have seen ut TO class me as cuwnrdly
and blood-thlrsty 10 because the mayor
OF the town OF PocahontAs, In the state
OF Virginia, refused TO allow Grand Mas
ter Sovereign TO speak In that town. I
have no authority In the state OF Vlr-
glnla, and therefore cannot be responsi-
ble for that which the mayor Of one Of
It's towns may decide proper or improper
II your federation had any sense, or
were honest, you would inquire as to the
facts before you denounced someone who
has always been your friend.
l have no time to waste on a set OF
men who congregate and pass resolu-
tione denouncinE one, without cause, who
has always stood for honest labor, and
who is now the abiding friend OF the toll
ing mayses. Tho people of my state
know me, and am glad TO be able to
state to you that all the resolutions yon
can pass or may pnSs which are not
based upon facts, will have no effect
upon them. Very respectfully,
G, w. ATKINSON,
Governor Of West Virginia.