Rocky Ford enterprise., 1904-08-05

statement defending his use OF troops
and the arrest and deportation OF men
In the strike districts:
ITO the People OF Colorado:
There Is prevalent Idea In this
country that the proprieties which per
tain to the higher executive ofiices
should deter their incumbents from
engaging In any controversial discus
sion OF their policy or action. limiting
the executive function In that regard
to the messages that from time to
time are made to the Legislature.
~ would not ut this time depart
from the observance OF the rule OF ST.
ience I have hitherto followed. did I
not believe that recent events render
such departure a duty to my state.
Tho unhappy conditions that have ex-
listed and to degree still exist In
three out OF hfty.nine counties OF the
state have been made the pretext for
the most wanton and false representa-
lions OF the conditions In the state at
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 cxcesscs OF tho
one organization which has caused
our trouble. have given these mlsrep-
reservations tho widest publicity.
MANY OF the people OF our sister
states with faint notions OF the truth
have been led to believe that Colo
rndo Is In n state OF anarchy ruled by
abandoned public oficials who have
rendered life and liberty unsafe.
This picture has been drawn by
certain citizens OF our own state who
for selfish purposes. which are nppnr.
cnt. seek to tarnish the fair name OF
great and prosperous commonwealth.
Alleged MIsrsprsssntation.
"If the public press is to be credit
cd, the delegation from this state to
tho recent ST. Louis convention pic
turcd before tho representatives OF cv-
cry state in the Union the WOO and
dcsoiation and degradation. the law
lcssncss and hopolcssncss OF their own
state.
Colorado deserves n better fate ut
the hands OF her sons.
''And again II has become tho set
tied policy OF those who hope to snin
political advantage through the mis-
fortunes OF the people OF n few locnii-
ties to inaugurntc by daily pronounce
mcnts n campaign Of hatred and to
lead that large iaw.abiding and liberty
loving body of our citizens who belong
to labor unions to believe that have
been. and still am. engaged In wnS.
ing n war against nll union labor.
Nothing could DO further from my pol
,, Icy or my desire.
"Thc considerations above stated
and many others lead me to believe
that Il Ia fittinE and proper for me to
present to the people OF this state and
TO the public generally n review rs
brief ms Is consistent with the proper
understanding OF the causes that led
up to the labor troubles with which
have had to deal. and OF the reasons
for tho policy which has been pursued.
"vcry soon after I assumed ONCE
md on February II. 1908. strike was
declared Mt the ore reduction mills at
COLORADO City in FL Paso county by the
Colorado City Mil and Smcltcr Mems
Union, n branch OF the Western Fed.
Grafton OF Miners. On the night OF
February 1tth n large number OF strik.
ers proceeded to one OF the mills ana
by show OF force and threats drove the
workmen who had refused to strike
from their labor. The strikers estab-
| lished pickets. Employees Of the mills
were assaulted and conditions gradu-
ally grew worse until on March Sd fol.
lowing the sheriff of the county peu.
toned me to send the militia. stating
that he was unable to preserve the
peace and protect life and property.
A petition to the same effect was also
presented at or about the same time.
signed by very large number OF the
most conservative. well known and
highly respected residents OF Ell Paso
county. urging that sead the militia
without delay.
This representation OF conditions
and knowledge gained from other
sources impelIed me to order out de.
tachment of the National Guard for
service at and about the mills. The
strike continued. but the militia pre-
served order. The mills continued to
opcrate. The statements made by the
opposing sides were greatly at vari-
ance. and in order to ascertain the
truth and allay public excitement. on
the 18th day OF March, 1903. I re-
auested 1--WE gentlemen Of acknow-
lodged standing In the state: Prof. w.
T.. Slocum. former judge Charles ID.
Hayt, Rev. Thomas Uzzell. Father j.
p. Corrigan and Hon Frank w. Frew-
en-. a member Of the Legislature OF the
state and also at that time member
of the Western Federation OF Miners.
to act as n commission to investigate
and report to me the causes of the
trouble and to seek. II 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 mass OF evidence.
"As a result of this commissions Ia.
bors. on March 81, 1903 the officials of
the mill appeared before the commits.
sion and made certain promises as to
what their course would be IL the
strike were declared off. The presi-
dent of the Western Federation OF
Miners who 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
commission to reassemble on May IS