The record-union., 1899-07-21
THE TERRORISM AT wARDNER.

THE TERRORISM AT WARDNER.
The condition of affairs in the Ward
plorable; it is shameful. The terror
ism is such that witnesses dare not
take the stand in the trials now OH
at Wallace and freely tell the truth.
They are intimidated by the striker
element, cowed by masked men and
their lives menaced, and they are even
induced to lay accusations against the
State authorities. In fact, the diff
culties in probing the crimes commit
ted at Wardner are astounding in
number and character.
Take the case of the witness DR.,
Collins. He was seized on the night
of "tffe destruction of the first mill by
the mob and compelled to accompany
the invading crowd to the spot to be
employed as a surgeon in case any was
shot. He was distinctly told that he
was seized for that purpose. On the
train on the way to the scene of con-
templated violence he saw most of the
participants in the outrage But this
man had been so terrified that he dare
not stick to the truth.
he declared on the witness stand on
Tuesday that he had been visited by
masked men and threatened. The dis
patches relate that he testified in an
swer to questions by Corcoran's, the
defendant, counsel that he had been
approached by the attorneys for the
had seen Corcoran on the train on the
18th of'April. This offer he declared
was made on the l4th inst by States
Attorney Borah. who had told him if
he wouidsidentity the defendant as one
OF the rioters. he would be taken care
of, and be offered something better
than remaining in that country.
But UNDER cross-examination the wit
ness broke down completely, and finally
admitted that what had been offered
him was protection, inasmuch as he
had complained that masked men had
ntim1daited him; that in response to
such complaint the States counsel had
said he would be taken care Of: that
they had information that Corcoran
was on the train bearing the rioters,
and that witness saw him on the
train, and they wished him to testify
10 the truth: that if by SO doing he
would be exposed to, danger at Burke
his home-he would be protected and
cared for
FINALLY the truth was forced out, and
II developed by the confession of the
witness that he had stated falsely TO
the States counsel, and had testified
1alseiy when he had denied being on
The train or knowing anything about
The case, and that he had so testified
falsely because of fear for his life.
1t also developed that no improper
offer had been made to him-only pro-
lection and care in case he was en-
dangered for telling the truth in court.
In snort, the facts We're established that
state OF terrorism is set up and main
tanned by the striking miners or those
assuming to act in their interest, and
that this goes to the extent of intim-
ldating witnesses and causing them to
testify falsely and untruthfully and of
accusing the representatives of the
State in making offers of bribery.
In short, the revelations in the trials
now proceeding are shocking, and open
UP a conspiracy to down the law and
criminally dominate the community un-
paralleled in history. 1t is declared In
open court by the representatives of
the people that witnesses are under
COW, are threatened with death or in
jury, and that it is only with greatest
difficulty that the prosecution of the
fearful crimes committed in that re.
gion can be followed by justice, be-
cause Of the terrorism prevalent there.
Such conditions cannot long continue.
They are SO incompatible with free
government and the orderly conduct
of a community that the sentiment of
the entire country will presently be
reused to indignation, and these GRIM
inal practices and this bulldozing and
assassin-like procedure will be crushed
out with the iron and a merciless hand
of outraged public opinion.
The Democratic counseIlors aSSa,,