Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-08-06

statement defending his use OF troops
and the arrest and deportation Of men
in the strike districts
To the People Of Colorado:
There Is a prevalent idea In this
country that the prppFieties which per
tain 70 the higher executive offices
should deter their iucumbents from
engaging in any controversial discus
sion Of their policy OF action limiting
the executive function In that regard
to the messages that from time TO
time are made 10 the Legislature.
Il would not at this time depart
from the Observance Of the rule Of 81
Ience I have hitherto followed did /
not believe that recent events render
such departure duty 70 my state
The unhappy conditions that have eN-
isted and to degree sta exist In
three out Of hfty -uiue counties OF the
state have been made the pretext for
The most waIton and false representa-
tlons of the conditions IN the state al
large
Certain newspapers Of the state Of
wide circulation and influence, which
have never been distinguished. either
for support Of conservative policies or
FOR condemning the excesses Of the
one organization which has caused
our trouble have given these misrep-
reseutati0ns the widest publicity.
Many Of the people Of our sister
states with faint notions Of the truth
have been led 10 believe that Colo
rado "a in state Of anarchy ruled By
abandoned public officials who have
rendered life and liberty unsafe
This picture has been drawn b
certain citizens os our own state who
for selfish purposes. which are appar'
-. - .Haf f hsa fair a
great and prosperous commonwealth
Alleged Misrepresentation.
IF the public press is TO be credit
ID. the delegation from this state to
the recent ST Louis convention pic
tnrcd before the representative OF ey-
cry state In the Union the voc and
deaolauon and degradation. the law
iessness and hopelessuess Of their own
state
Colorado deserves better fate at
the hands Of her sons
And again II has become the set
tied policy 81 those who hope 20 gain
political advantage through the mis-
fortunes Of the people ~ a few local.
ties TO lnaugurate by daily pronounce
meuts campaign Of hatred and to
lead that large iaW abiding and liberty
loving body OF our citizens who belong
20 labor unions 20 believe that | have
been. and still am. engaged In waE
ing a war against all union labor.
Nothing could be further from my pei
icy or my desire.
The considerations above stated
and many others lead me to believe
that 1t is fttiug and proper for me TO
present TO the people 81 this state and
To the public generally review as
brief as is consistent With the proper
understanding Of the causes that led
up To the labor troubles With which
have had 20 deal. and of the reasons
for the policy which has been pursued
VERY soon after I assumed Office
and on February u 1903 a strike was
declared at the ore reduction mills n
Coiora4o city in Fl Paso county boy the
Colorado City Mil and Smelter Mems
Union a branch ~ the Western FEd-
eratlun of Miners. On the night of
February i8th a large number nf strk=
crs proceeded 20 one N the mills and
by show o. force and threats drove the
workmsn Who had refused TO strike
from thcIr labor. The strikers estats
ushed pickets Employees Of the mills
were assaulted and conditions Eraau
ally grew worse uutii on March 80 FOL
lowing the sheriff Of the county peti-
toned me to send she militia. stating
tAaa At "a An NlAAHtt NN hAf1t 4HN AA-f
peace aud protect life and property.
\ petition ia the same effect was also
presented at or abaut the same time.
signed by a very large number OF the
most conservative. well known and
highly respected residents q II Paso
cpuafy, urging that I send The militia
without delay
This representation of conditions
ard knowledge Eained from other
soHfces lmPelied me 20 order ont a de.
farhmcnt af tho National Guard Tor
service at and about the mills. The
strike continued but the militia pre-
served order. The mills continued TO
operate. The statements made by the
opposing sides were greatly AT yarl-
Tnee. and In order TO ascertain the
truth aud ailay public excitement. on
the 18th day of March 1908 I re
quested five gentlemen Of acknow
iedged standing In the state: Prof. W
T. siocum former judge Charles u.
Eiavt. Rev Thomas Uzzell. Father J.
+. Corriean and Hon Frank W, Frew-
on a member of the legislature og the
state and also at that time 4 member
Of the Western Federation OF Miners.
to act as a commission to investigate
and report to me the causes OF the
trouble. and TO seek IL possible.
friendly settlement This body was
known as the governors commission.
Dr. slocum was unable to serve. but
the remaining members acted and
both sides voluntarily appeared before
them and produced a mass Of evidence
As a result Of this commissions la
bors. on March 81. 1903 the officials OF
the mill appeared before the commits
sion and made certain promises as To
whnt their course would be If the
strike we're declared OF. The presi
dent Of the Western Federation Of
Miners vho was present expressed
doubt as TO the good faith OF the prom
ises made. but stated that he would
call of the strike and would ask the