The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-06-25

government Is DsCk OF tIllS OTAtT, IL Is
a crime nevertheless and should be sup
pressed by the will of the people. 1t is
your right to protest against it, to sup
press that which is done in the name of
the government. No man believes in
wanton destruction, but we know that
no less parsonage than George Wash
ington destroyed property. Rather
stain the canyons of Idaho with the
! blood of innocence than permit men to
be harnessed like mules to the cart of
corporate oppression and greed. This
is question of human rights and in
dividual liberty
Peter Brecn.
Peter Breen was the last speaker and
he stirred up the crowd to the yelling
point. His utterances were frequently
applauded He urged action without
delay and predicted that unless the peo-
pie at once took steps ito suppress the
actions and deeds of the corporations
a precedent would be established, and
| presidents, he said, once established
are hard to revoke. Said he:
1T is the principle that is at stake.
No one regrets the existence in Idaho
of the conditions more than the chief
executive of the nation does. He would
call off his dogs if he could do so grace
fully. 1t is universally beginning to be
understood that military rule is being
riveted upon the people all over the
country. Men who stand high in the
councils of the nation are protesting
against military and despotic rule. If
/ We're to make such a speech as eX-
Congressman Mcguire of California did
on this question / would be called an
anarchist. His speech goes to show to
what extent the common people are be-
ing aroused to a realization of the sit
uation. General Merriam and Governor
are acting in the capacity of protectors
of the people and of their property, but
the fact is they are committing INSIDE
meanors. / respect their authority. but
| respect the men and women of Idaho
more"
Turning to the action of the men who
blew up the Bunker Hill & Sullivan
mill, the speaker declared that the only
mistake made in that explosion was
that the officers and owners of the
property did not go up with the mill
He referred to the destruction caused
by the war with Spain and of the Gag
erness of the people to learn the news
from the seat of war, saying:
I'VE all looked at our papers to see
how much destruction our navy had
wrought to the Spanish boats and other
property. Our men were there to de-
stroy Spanish property. l say, if all
the officers and owners of the Bunker
Hill & Sullivan property had gone up
in the explosion, there would not be
this handshaking and congratulating
among those autocrats who are to-day
glorying in the face of the distress
they have occasioned in Wardner. Con-
ditions, / say, might have been differ
ent, but as it is this state of affairs
will continue just as long as we allow
it to exist"
He said that General Merriam's ac-
tons had done much to crush the hopes
of those who We're seeking to have the
standing army increased. In the face
| of his acts there is no constituency that
will send to congress a man who favors
an enlarged standing army Referring
to the claims made that the value of
the property in Idaho destroyed by the
explosion was $500, 900, he exclaimed:
Il hold in my pocket an affidavit
| made to the assessor of the county to
the effect that the property was valued
| at $4,000, and on this amount the man
agement of the property refused to pay
taxes But when they meet and deal
with people who demand equal rights
they advance the claim that 100000 OF
more of property was destroyed. Who
are We to believer"
The speaker then went into an &C.
count of the arrest of the men in Mis-.
| soula and of Governor Smiths action ir
the premises. REWRITING back to the
time of President Harrison and the la
Dor troubles he said
IF we fail in our protest to President
Mckinley and Alger, let them take the
fate which befell Harrison. His actor
towards the laborer defeated his re
election. Grover Cleveland saw fit tc
force down the throat of Governor Alt
geld the United States army and he
was defeated at the polls-got wha
Harrison got. If Mckinley refuses t.
accede to our demands let US send hin
on on fishing tour or back to the
practice of law or some other place"
He then read the following resolu
tons and asked the crowd how it lkef
them. The crowd cheered Justify Som,
one moved their unanimous adoption
and the chairman, Mayor Mccarthy
put the motion, and the ayes SHOOT
the Columbia block. There were NJ
nays. Inc resolutions follow:
The Resolutions.
;" hereas, AT mass meeting of thu
cltlzens of Butte, Mont. called by I'll,
Miners union and the Silver Bow Tade
ana Labor assembly Saturday evening
June "a, 1893, in the interest of the i'm
prlsoned citizens of Wardner Idaho
the several speakers presented the hor
rlply brutal and unprecedented condj
lions ana sulferings of the imprisone,
| etii' VIC dulllCdl, unjust and
american mandate of that military des
pot, General Merriam, permitted an
encouraged by Governor Steunenbere
to-Nlt. Ihat American citizens pre-
sumed to be entitled to the full enioy
ment OF their constitutional rights
against whom there is not the slightes
evidence OF the commission of any of
tense against the laws of the land an,
who are held in the Wardner "bul
pen Tor no other reason than that the
belong to labor organization, are S
held and tortured to wiring from thei
lips words which might be used +
esta blish their guilt, under condition
which makes the Spanish inuuisitio
pale into insignificance, conditions tina
have resulted in the untimely death o
the following named men: Thoma
CaVanaugh, Matt Johnson, Michae
Devine, Frank Baronia and Charlie
McMillen; the brutal'Av exercised b
the military authorities over these me
in their dying moments by being de
MED the visits of friends and the heret