Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-08-04

them to uphold their demands; and.
finally. out of the union hall at Victor
there surrendered on June 6 of this
year 62 members of the Western Fed
GRAFTON of Miners, bearing among
them 35 rifles. 32 reyolyers and nine
shotguns, which were still hot with
shots fired at citizens and at the uni
formed militia of the state
unscrupulous Men Are at Head of
Federation.
This record convinced me that the
overt acts which had been committed
N Cripple Creek were but the fore
runners OF others, and that with the
executive officers in Teller county in
iirect collusion with this organization
i would be but a few days until n
reign of terror involving loss of life
and property would be established in
that district. The federation Is led
md absolutely controlled by unscrup-
ilous men. Only TWO OF the executive
committee are residents oil the state
md none of the committee has any
hing in common with the states in
-erests. The character and history oI
his federation must be held constant
y in view in determining whether or
aot the policy have pursued is wise
md proper. There is no other or.
sanitation with such character ana
,uch a history in the United States.
knew and realized this when this
ltrike was inaugurated in Cripple
'rppk 1 was rpuuaatnl hy rama
'entatives of the mine operators. rep
esentative citizens OF the district anu
he mayor of Victor to send the troops
o the Cripple Creek district Before
esponding to the demand. however. 4
ent commission composed OF Hon
!. c, Miller, attorney general OF the
tate; Gen. John Chase, who at thai
me commanded the military OF the
tate, and Hon. T. f. Mcclellan. oN.
United States prosecuting attorney
hat they might investigate the con
.itions in person and report to me In
esponse to the recommendations oI
his commission troops were ordereG
o the Cripple Creek district on Sep
ember 4. the commission having con
lnced me that only in this manner
ould the peace and quiet Of Teller
ounty be maintained and men pro.
.ected in their right to follow then
.sual vocation,
There is no higher duty devolyng
pom the executive OF any state than
nat OF affording protection to men
Hho desire to labOr In alfording this
protection 1t later became necessary
N my judgment, to contine certain
men in military guard houses as on,
i the safest and most expeditions
Methods OF restoring order. 1t was
oudly proclaimed that this was with
Jut authority OF law. The question
vas submitted to the supreme cOur,
md the action OF the militia in that
tespect fully sustained
The law-abiding citizens of the
state need not be alarmed by the fren-
Lied cry that they are all in danger OF
incarceration If the governor has
7ssary power. and the class that
should dread its exercise IL not nu.
.nerous. In this regard pursued the
Course which seemed wisest and best,
md cannot seek higher authority tor
rs legality than the supreme court.
There may have been occasional
.ndiscretions OF officers or men as is
Inevitable with large body not ac-
sustomed to such seryice-but when
aver such instances have been brought
% my attention they have been prop.
srly and promptly dealt win. and the
national guard OF the state has been
maintained on a high standard.
The troops were in the Cripple
district from Sept 4. 1908, TO the llth
,ay OF April, 1904, in diminishing mum.
oers as conditions permitted. The
general policy pursued in Cripple
creek was followed in other parts OF
he state, and particularly in Tellur-
de, where the eAcesses and crimes
II the federation has been still more
.nhuman than in any other district,
tnd the reign OF terror still more in
'omplete. Order now prevails there,
md 1t is believed that the people OF
nat district may nj last enjoy peace
md quiet.
1eace of April Was But Calm Before
Storm.
The trouble in the Cripple Creek
district had apparently subsidized. The
.ast OF the troops We're Withdrawn, as
have stated, on the eleventh day oil
april, 1901 The mines were all be-
,ng operated with a tIll quota Of men
Who were moi affiliated with the West
IN Federation OF Miners, save only
ne Portland mine where many fed.
ration members were employed. The
.Iwlessness which has everywhere
characterized the methods OF that led
Grafton seemed Tor a time to have
Deen abandoned by IT, The district
apparently was destined to enjoy a
period OF peace. But it proved only
| % be the calm before the storm. AT
| about 3 O'Clock on the morning oil
June g, mine OF dynamite was eN'
ploded by means OF an internal ma
| chime placed underneath the station
| platform at Independence and thir
peen men were instantly blown to
fragments and many others mutilated
| md MANNED for life. All these men
| were non-union miners about TO board
| train Tor their homes in the district