The sun., 1903-12-13
LAWLESS DAYS IN COLORADO.
FITTINGS DON'T MEND, FEDERAL
AUTHORITY MAY BE EXERTED.
Hot.Headed Rough Rider At the Head OF
the states Military Forces Making
New plications-Treasury Empty
and Labor Becoming More RestiNe.


New Complications-Treas Empty
and Labor Becoming More RestiNe.
DENVER, Col, Dec. 12.Gov Peabody
continues to reply to all persons VINO urge
him to withdraw the military forces OF
the State of Colorado from the mining
districts that he will keep the soldiers
actively employed there until peace and
GOOD order are established. Yet as the
days 20 by conditions grow worse. 1t
Ia an UNEQUAL contest which is waged,
and the Governor seems without wise ao-
visers and short OF resources.
The State treasury was in no condition
to meet the heavy drain caused by the ac
tive military operations The Stat 5 credit
has been at a low ebb for number years.
Four years ago Gov. Thomas had to OBJ
tain the consent of the Denver clearing
house to loan without legal security in
order to keep the charitable and educa-
tiona institutions open. BY the tacit con-
sent of the Judiciary this loan was MADE
good by the last Legislature by an appro-
priation to cover the clearing house GER
tifcates.
The new revenue measure passed Two
years ago brought promise OF better
financial condition, but after the floating
debt was met and the delayed needs Of the
State provided for last winter the treasury
was again depleted. Now, with the loss OF
revenues, due to many causes. the out
look for next year is exceedingly dark.
The military fund was very low at the
outset of the present trouble. and there
was some doubt of the ability of the State
to defray the expenses of the military
forces in active service. At this juncture
the wealthy mine owners and corporation
managers, who for so many years had
groaned under the tyranny OF the west
ern Federation of Miners and its allied
labor organizations. offered to advance
to Gov Peabody the funds necessary to
wage the campaign against lawlessness
connived at, il not personally directed,
by the labor leaders.
1t is due to this support that there ia
a contest between the State militia and the
strikers in Cripple Greek, in Telluride
and this week, in the coal camps in the
vicinity OF Trinidad. How long the Gov
ernor can keep his soldiers in the field de-
pends upon the support given to him by the
combination of mine owners and allied
corporations.
On the other side the Western Fedora
ton Of Miners appears to have fat treasury,
with reserve resources from war taxes
levied upon all members OF the miners
union in this and other Western States.
Money is not only furnished to the miners
on strike, but there appears to be enough
to employ some Of the shrewdest political
lawyers in the State.
While the advisers of the miners are
wi lnu tn
play upon the aympathies OF the public and
how to make disagreeable issues in the
courts, and quick to seize upon every pre-
text to divert attention from the main issue Z.
tine advisers Of Gov. Peabody have seemed
to lack keen insight into the tricks and
wiles of their opponents. They repeatedly
lead him into disagreeable predicaments,
aid while he is struggling to overcome
these he is made target for the shafts Of
the newspapers politically opposed to him.
One OF his main sources Of petty troubles
is his cLief military head, Ad djutant-G Ge neral
Sherman Bell Bell il a young man and
first came to public notice when Roosevelt
wrote about the Rough Riders who fought
in the Cuban war. Hot-headed and hot
Tempered Bell made an ideal private in the
Rough Riders. and there is no doubt that of
all that band none was mor~ reckless nor
more eager for trouble than he.
After the war, Bell wen. to Cripple Creek
and obtained Employment asa special watch
man about the big mines. Later, when
things became troublesome in the district.
Bell was made mine superintendent. He
was holding a comfortable post a: a good sal
ary when. to the surprise Of the public, Gov.
Peabody appointed him Adiutant- -Ge neral.
1t was at once asserted by the labor leaders
that he was appointed for the sole purpose
of doing the bidding OF the mine operators,
and that his salary would be continued by
the Mine Operatorp' Association despite the
fact that his salary as Adjutant-Gener
as provided by Law, was much less.
bell Was hardly put in offics before be he