The Grit-advocate. (Julesburg, Colo.) 1899-1907, 1904-08-05

statement defending his use Of troops
and the arrest and deportation of men
In the strike districts:
To the People of Colorado:
There Is II prevalent idea In this
country that the proprieties which per
tain to the higher executive Offices
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.
IL would not at this time depart
from the observance OF the rule OF ST.
lence l have hitherto followed, did /
not believe that recent events render
such departure duty to my state
The unhappy conditions that have ex-
listed and to degree still exist in
three out of ffty-nne counties OF the
state have been made the pretext for
the most wanton and false representa-
tons OF the conditions in the state at
large.
Certain newspapers of the state of
wide circulation and influence, which
have never been distinguished, either
5Or support of conservative policies or
for cOnd GINNING the excuses of the
one organization which has caused
our trouble. have given these misrep-
presentations the widest publicity.
Many of the people of our sister
states with rant notions of the truth
have been led to believe that Colo
RADIO is in a state of anarchy ruled by
abandoned public officials 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 appar-
ant, seek to tarnish the fair name of
great and prosperous commonwealth.
Alleged Misrepresentation.
'If the public press is to be credit
ed. the delegation from this state to
the recent s. LoTis convention pic
tureh before the representatives OF ev-
cry state in the Union the woe and
desolation and degradation. the law
,essness and hopelessness of their own
state.
Colorado deserves a better fate at
the hands of her sons.
And again it has become the set
tied policy Of those who hope to gain
political advantage through the mis-
fortunes of the people of a few locali-
ties to inaugurate by daily pronounce
ments campaign of hatred and to
lead that large law-abiding and liberty
loving body of our citizens who belong
to labor unions to believe that | have
been. and still am. engaged in wag
ing A war against all union labor
Nothing could be further from my pol
icy or my desire.
1.-The considerations above stated
and many others lead me to believe
that it is fitting and proper for me to
present to the people of this state and
40 the public generally review as
pTisef as is consistent with the proper
understanding of the causes that led
up TO the labor troubles with which I
have had to deal. and of the reasons
for the policy which has been pursued.
VERY soon after | assumed office
and on February IA. 1908. strike was
declared at the ore reduction mills at
COLORADO City in FL Paso county by the
Colorado City Mill and Smeter Mems
Union a branch of the Western Fed
Grafton of Miners On the night of
February 14th large number Of strik-
crS proceeded to one of the mills and
by show OF force and threats drove the
workmen who had refused to strike
from their labor. The strikers estab-
iished pickets. Employees of the mills
were assaulted and conditions gradu-
ally grew worse until on March Sd fol-
lowing the sheriff of the county petit
TONED me to send the militia. stating
that he was unable to preserve the
T,eace 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 | send the militia
without delay.
This representation of conditions
and knowledge gained from other
sources impelled me to order out de.
sarhment of the National Guard for
service at and about the mills. The
strike continued. but the militia pre-
SERVED order. The mills continued to
operate. The statements made by the
opposing sides were greatly at vari-
7InCe, and in order to ascertain the
rr1hh and allay public excitement. on
the 18th day OF March, 1903. | re-
quested five gentlemen of acknow-
lodged standing in the state: Prof. W.
T. Slocum. former judge Charles D.
Hayt, Rev Thomas UZZell. Father j.
p Corrigan and Hon Frank w. Frew-
en-. Il member of the Legislature of the
state and also at that time member
of the Western Federation of Miners.
TO act as a commission to investigate
and report to me the causes of the
trouble and to seek. if possible, a
friendly settlement. This body was
known as the governors commission.
Or. 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 la
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 if the
strike were declared off. The presi-
dent of the Western Federation of
Miners who was present expressed