Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-11-14
SHERIFFS AND DEPUTIES
EVERY MAN HAS RIGHT 10 WORK

Governor NJ. A. Otero has issued
the following instructions to the sher.
IFS and peace officers of the counties
of Colfax, Rio Arriba. Santa Fe, Nc
Kinley, Lincoln and Socorro:
Territory OF New Mexico. Office OF
the executive, santa Fe, N. NJ, Nov
ember y, 1903.
To the sheriff and other peace off,
GERS of the counties of Colfax, Rio Ar
rlba, Santa Re, Mckinley. Lincoln and
Socorro:
The undersigned. governor OF New
Mexico. has authentic information
that certain non-residents OF this terri.
tory have ordered certain citizens and
residents Of New Mexico. who are en-
gagged in developing one of the largest
natural resources OF the territory, |. e.,
the mining of coal in the counties
above named, to cease work and re-
frain from any labor in which they are
now engaged in mining such coal. and
that such residents and coal miners
are about TO and In some Instances
have obeyed such orders, thus depriv.
ing the territory or the product OF the
mines 10 the great injury end incon-
yenience Of the people; and, whereas.
experience has shown that such action
IN the past mas caused riots, bloc d.
she'd and the destruction Of much val
liable property in other parts OF our
country:
Therefore, the executive of this ter
ritory Is determined that It's fair name
shall not be disgTaced and the lives
and property Of its citizens placed in
jeopardy by the actionA or commands
Of foreigners who have absolutely no
authority or interests in the territory,
nor does he propose to delay until
some great calamity has taken place
before taking cotton calculated to pre-
vent such serious consequences.
cali your attention TO the enforce
ment of the territorial statutes, par
ticularly sections 1913 and 1926 inclu-
sive. as affecting ali persons who vio-
late any of the provisions thereof, or
those who engage In disorderly, vio-
lent. unlawful and riotous conduct
While the executive recognizes the
right OF any person to cease abor for
any individual or corporation when IL
does not interfere with contract obli-
cations. yet, il Is his sworn duty to en-
force the laws and see that they are
obeyed. The laws OF God. as well as
OF this territory, demand that every
able bodied person, shall. II opportun-
ity is offered, labor at some useful oc'
cupation and employment Experience
has shown that voluntary idleness
speedily begets vice and crime.
In addition to the above statutes
YOU will take notice OF those regarding
assaults, threats, intimidation, riots
and unlawful asa emh hlages. and that no
acts Of that character will be tolerat-
ed.
also call your particular attention
10 chapter 3 OF the session laws OF
New Mexico 1904. AN act to amend
section 73S OF the complied laws of
1897" and urge that you employ every
means possible under that law, and
II after doing So you find yourself still
unable 10 cope with any organized
ailtWpls ut lullhiudtioi' hoShuit VI
other violence upon persons desiring
to work In any coal mines In your
county, you will promptly report the
fact To this oihce. ana II th2 facts JUS
tify such action, the military OF your
territory will be ordered to your as
sistance. and in case 1t should prove
! !reffectual. the government of the
| United States will be asked by me tc
preserve order and protect the lives
and property OF those who are willing
TO labor.
| do not believe that this extreme
step will be necessary, but this letter
is written 10 give fair warning e
those persons who may contemplate
following the directions and orders
OF evil counsellors against the laws o.
this territory, ana as a cautionarN
measure to avoid the scenes OF viol
ence and bloodshed which frequently
follow the obedience of such orders
and II they do not heed this warnlnl
the consequences must be upon thel
own heads. Very respectfully,
MIGUEL A. OTERO,