The Irish standard., 1904-06-18

During much Of the past year, and
continuing until the present moment,
certain parts Of the state of Colorado
have been governed by military law.
Governor Peabody, banker himself,
closely identified with the conservative
business interests Of the state, and
therefore unlikely to make exaggerated
statements, has proclaimed the exist
ence of condition of ''insurrcction
and rebellion" says the Cincinnati En-
quirer.
And martial law has been neither
gentle nor forbearing; when accused Of
violating the constitution Judge Advo-
cate McClelland remarked:
''To hell with the constitution; we are
not following the constitution"
Colonel Verdeckberg commanding
officer in the Cripple Greek district, de-
clared:
"We are under orders only from God
and Governor Peabody"
But, if military rule has been des-
potic, many citizens have been lawless,
and civil government ineffective. The
miners union has broken the law,
there have been dynamiting and assas-
sination; the corporations have broken
the law. there have been bribery and
corruption; the citizens organizations,
representing in some degree the great
third party-the public-have broken
the law; even the legislature itself,
wherein the law is made, has been law
less. We have today, indeed, in certain
parts Of Colorado, breakdown of de-
mocracy and, through Anarchy, a re-
version to military despotism.
What are the causes Of these appal-
ling conditions?
Martial law was declared in the
Cripple Greek district on December 4,
and a month later in Telluride. The
Cripple Greek proclamation was read in
the city of Victor by cavalry major
guarded by so troopers, the citizens of
the town gathered about. silent. After
proclaiming that condition of anarchy
there existed, that civil government had
become abortive that life was in peril
and property unsafe, the governor pro
nounced judgment upon this common.
wealth:
''Now, therefore, I, James H. Pea
body, governor of the state of Colo.
RADIO, by virtue of the authority in me
vested, do hereby proclaim and declare
tnat the said county of Teller, in the
state of Colorado, to be in state Of
insurrection and rebellion"
But the proclamation of the 4th of
December was only the formal dra.
matte declaration on the part of the
governor of condition long existent
For some two months prior to this time
the military forces had been practically
in control And it had not been pleas.
ant-martial rule. Soldiers are not that
way.
Cripple Creek and Victor are Ameri
can towns. Most Of the citizens are
miners, long resident in Colorado. They
have played no unimportant part i'll
making this district, among the troops
of the Rocky Mountains, the greatest
gold-bearing camp in the world. In
1902 they dug $25OOO,0O0 from the hills
This is their home; they have hero
bought land and built houses; have lc1t
raised their children. They have giver
the Cripple Greek district well-mer
ited reputation of having an UNUSUAL!
high class of miners, largely men OF
American birth, who have gone tt
American schools, read American news
papers, who have voted and paid taxes
and held public offices. You will &C
far, indeed, to find working men living
or who did live in better homes, with
more of the comforts of civilization
around them.
Well, some of these men We're arrest
ed by the military forces, arrested
without warrants and without charges,
locked up in an usavory place called
fine Bull Pen, and kept incommunicado,
often for weeks. Just at this place