The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-09-08
SEATTLE, SATURDAY, SEPT. 9.


r. c. Robertson. the dynamite candi-
date for congress-. made n speech In
spokane on Labor day IN which he de-
clared that he does not, never has and
never viii uphold anarchy. riot, arson
or murder. He said that he believed in
Law and order. but that, under the con-
stitution. liberty Included the God-given
. right to follow ones chosen avocation
and TO labor without being prevented.
unless by due process OF law. He
claimed to uphold President Mckinley
and Gov. steunenberg In bringing
troops into the Occur d'Alenes to pro-
tect the citizens OF that district and
insure the enforcement OF the laws, but
he did not uphold the permit system.
which. In his opinion. was and Is as
much against the law MS were the acts
OF violence by the mob.
Now that Robertson is a candidate
before the people OF state that be-
lieves in law and order. he fnds him
self under the necessity OF taking
tack different from that he has been
sailing since he identified himself with
the Occur d'Aiene rioters. first as coun-
sci and later az private citizen. by
general denunciation OF the federal ana
state authorities for vigorously coping
with outlawry in the state OF Idaho.
Since the conclusion of the trial OF
Corcoran, one OF the ringleaders who
was sent TO the penitehsiary for long
term Of years. Robertson. up TO the
time OF his nomination FOR congress,
seized every opportunity 10 speak In
defense Of the miscreants OF the Occur
dAlenes, He appeared In behalf Of the
dynamltera NJ the congressional Inves-
tigation last spring, he fastened West
TO glorify them before the Federation
OF Labor convention at Denver, and he
has never missed an opportunity 10
represent them as cruelty oppressed
through the despotlsm OF officials act
ing under martial law. In fact. Rob
ertson's chief business for the last
twelve months has been 20 heap op-
prohrium upon those who redeemed the
Occur dAlenes from lawlessness, In
the hope that he would create sympa-
thy for the worst gang Of thugs and
criminals that ever escaped punishs'
ment
Robertson attempts 20 shuttle out OF
the predlcamcns IN which he has placed
himself through his misguided xeai IN
behalf or lawbreakerS by claiming that
he never has and never will uphold the
iawlessness that prevailed IN Idaho
from statehood up 10 one year ago. ana
Yet Tor twelve months early ana late
the purport OF his speech has been that
tho men who consplrea planned sud
executed the ou,rages at wardner we're
liherty-lovsng folk who should b. per
mltted 20 enjoy career u crime un-
nclcsted. lie processes 10 believe In
law and orser. and yet for year HIS
chief task has been 90 seek sympathy
for and Esye comfort % a gang Of rus-
dams who maintained reign ~ terror
for tea years and had NO respect for
God. authority. property or human life.
He talks about our constitutional HI
er,y insgr.ng man the God-xiven right
20 follow his chosen Rvocation ard 10
labor without being prevented: but ~
seems to forge, that up 90 one year ago
no man cosla enter the coear d'Aienes
and reside ana work there unless PER
mlttSd 50 90 do by the alleged miners
union. which terroriscd the community;
and which. whom Il could net remove
Objectionable persona by threats. did so
by assassination. The members o. this
organization, which was little better
than a band of outlaws. have. accord
ing 60 Robertson. been deprived of
their constitutional rights In not be-
tns permitted to perpetGate their reign