The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-04-13
but that certain hardy plants were able to
exist even before the month of May.
THREATENING CONDITIONS IN COL
ORADO.

The labor troubles in Colorado have cul-
minated in very ugly situation. The con-
dtion there has been bordering on civil
war for several months past, and now
clash between the court and military au-
thorities is threatened.
Colorado has had little rest from labor
troubles since the strike of gold miners in
Cripple Creek in 1894. Since then there have
been numerous strikes. several murders and
assassinations. and the militia has been or
dered out repeatedly. During the last two
years strikes have been almost continuous.
They are partly due to and in some measure
justified by the fact that at the state cleo
ton in 1902 an amendment to the Constitu-
tion providing for an eight-hour law was
adopted by 1900 majority. Notwithstand-
ing that the amendment instructed the
Legislature TO pass an eight-hour law for
all persons employed in mines mills smelt-
ers, blast furnaces, etc, 1t failed to do so.
The workingrnen claimed that the Legis-
lature was induced by powerful lobby and
corrupt influences to disobey a mandate of
the people. While the action Of the Legis-
lature was justification for lawlessness,
il afforded just ground for discomfort
among workingmen and a pretext for tur-
bulence.
The strikes i'll the mining regions and
smelling works have been sympathetic and
almost continuous for the last eighteen
months. The Governor has ordered the
militia to three or four different points
Colorado City, Cripple Creek. Telluride. etc.
The present situation is that of organized
employers against organized employees. with
the state militia continuously under arms
to keep the peace. Troops were ordered to
Telluride in November, 1903. and have been
there ever since. The county in which that
place Is situated has been under mill
tary control. though there has been no
formal declaration of martial law.
The present clash between the civil and
military authorities grows out of the re-
fusal of the commanding officer at Telluride
to obey writ OF habeas corpus requiring
him to bring before the court one Meyer,
Miners, who is now in military custody at
Telluride. The court has threatened TO
order the arrest of the officer for contempt.
and the latter says If the sheriff attempts
to enforce the order there will be bloodshed.
Governor Peabody seems to support the
militia.
The officer in command of the militia is
clearly wrong in refusing to obey the order
of the court. In time of peace the military
is always subject to civil authority. Mar
tial law can only prevail in time OF war or
after formal declaration made necessary by
dissensions that have paralyzed the civil
authorities. There is no such condition in
Colorado. There has been great deal of
turbulence and violence, but the courts are
still open and civil authority is paramount.
The Supreme Court of the United States has
held that a state legislature may declare
martial law when demanded by the public
safety, but the Governor of State has no
right to do so, much less an officer of the
state militia.
The writ of habeas corpus is one of the
! highest privilege, and it can only be sus-
pended by the President of the United
States, authorized by Congress. Neither
the Governor nor the Legislature of State
| can suspend it. The Colorado court has a
right to enforce it's order, and If the COM
manding officer at Telluride refuses to obey
it he should be arrested and punished for
contempt.