The Lamar register., 1904-08-03
GOVERNOR PEABODYS STATEMENT
DEFENDING HIS STRIKE POLICY

4 lusion with this organization II would
be but a few days until a reign of ter
ror involving loss OF life and property
would be established in that district
The federation is led and absolutely
controlled by inscriptions men. Only
/ two of the executive committee are
residents of the state and none of the
! committee has anything in common
/, with the states interests The charac-
ter and history of this federation must
be held constantly in view in deter
mining whether or not the policy /
have pursued is wise and proper. There
is no other organization with such
character and such a history IN the
United States. | knew and realized
this when the strike was inaugurated
in Cripple Creek. | was requested by
representatives of the mine operators,
representative citizens of the district
and the mayor of Victor to send the
troops to the Cripple Creek district
Before responding to the demand. how
ever, / sent a commission composed of
| Hon. y. c. Miller attorney general of
| the state; Gen. John Chase. who at that
time commanded the military of the
state. and Hon. T. E. McClelland. ex-
United States prosecuting attorney.
| that they might investigate the condi-
tions in person and report to me. In
l Recommendations
this commission troops were ordered to
the Cripple Creek district on Septem-
Der 4th. the commission having con-
vinced me that only in this manner
could the peace and quiet of Teller
county be maintained and men pro-
tected in their right to follow their
usual vocation.
There is no higher duty devolving
upon the executive of any state than
that of affording protection to men
who desire TO labor In affording that
! protection it later became necessary, in
my judgment. TO confne certain men
in military guard houses as one of the
safest and most expeditions methods of
restoring order. II was loudly pro-
| claimed that this was without author
| ity of law. The question was submit
| ted to the Supreme Court and the ac-
ton of the militia in that respect full
ly sustained
The law-abiding citizens of the
| state need not be alarmed by the fren
zied cry that they are all in danger of
incarceration If the governor has such
| power II is a useful and a necessary
power. and the class that should dread
its exercise is not numerous. In this
regard l pursued the course which
seemed wisest and best. and | cannot
|
| than the Supreme Court
There may have been occasional in
\ discretions of officers or men as is in
evitable with a large body not accus.
| toned to such services-but whenever
such instances nave been brought to
my attention they have been promptly
and properly dealt with and the ma
tional guard of the state has been
maintained on high standard
The troops were in the Cripple
Creek district from September 4. 1903.
to the 11th day OF April. 1904. In d.
minishing numbers as conditions per-
mitted The general policy pursued in
Cripple Greek was followed in other
parts of the state and particularly in
Telluride where the eXcesses and
| crimes of the federation had been still
more inhuman than in any other dis
| trict and the reign of terror still more
complete. Order now prevails there
and it is believed that the people of
that district may at least enjoy peace
and quiet.
Peace but Calm Before Storm.
THE trouble in the Cripple Creek
district had apparently subsidized. The
last of the troops were withdrawn, as
have stated. on the 1lth day of
April. 1904. The mines were all being
operated with a full quota of men who
were not affiliated with the Western
Federation of Miners save only the
Portland mine where many fedora
tion members were employed. The law
lessness which has everywhere charac-
| terized the methods of that federation
seemed for a time to have been
abandoned by it. The district appar.
emily was destined to enjoy a period
of peace. But it proved to be only the
calm before the storm. At about
O'Clock on the morning OF June 6.
mine of dynamite was exploded by
means of an Internal machine placed
underneath the station platform at In
dependence and thirteen men were in
stantly blown to fragments and many
others mutilated and MANNED for life.
All these men were non-union miners
about to board train for their homes
in the district
This infamous outrage. following as
it did years of intimidation. threats,
countless assaults and murders, was
the last of the series which had caused
veritable reign of terror in that min
ing district The citizens OF the
county. inexpressibly shocked at this
wholesale murder of innocent men. de-
termined that the community must be
rid of the authors and instigators of
! such crimes.
"A public meeting was held in Vic.
tor the afternoon following the Inde.
pendence outrage and while the meet
ing was being addressed the crowd
was fired upon from the federation
store and union hall. Two non-union
miners were shot and killed and six
/ others wounded The local trOODS