Idaho Springs siftings., 1904-08-06
GOVERNOR PEABODYS STATEMENT
DEFENDING HIS STRIKE POLICY

luslon 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 distr.cL
The federation is led and absolute
controlled by unscTupuious men. onlE
two Of the executive committee are
residents OF the state and none of the
committee has anything in comfrou
, with the states interests. The char
ter and history Of this federation must
be held constantly in view in de;er-
mining whether or not the police I
have pursued is wise aud proper. The
IS no other organization with such
character and such a history in the
United States. | knew and reali7sd
this when the strike was iuaugura I'd
in Cripple Greek. | was requested BY
representatives Of the mine operate.
representative citizens of the dist I
and the mayor of Victor to send tie
troops to the Cripple Greek distr
Before responding 10 the demand. hcF-
ever. ] sent a commission composed #
Hon n C. Miller. attorney general ~
the state: Gen John Chase, who at tsat
time commanded the military OF -1e
state. and Hon. 7. z. McCleliand. .Z
United States prosecuting attornFs,
that they might investigate the contl-
tons in person and report 10 me. Lu
response to the recommendations af
this commission troops were ordered ~
the Cripple Greek district on Sept eua-
Der 4th. the commission having con
Yinced me that only In this mann
could the peace and quiet OF TeUa-
county be maintained and men pgg-
tected in their right to follow th.r
usual vocation.
There is no higher duty devolyiaE
upon the executive Of any state than
that Of aHording protection to nsa
who desire to labor In affording that
protection IL later became necessary 10
nv Judgment. 10 confiue certain utB
In military guard houses as one OF the
safest and most expeditions methods ~
restoring order II vas loudly pro-
claimed that this was without authu--
ity of law. The question was submit
ted to the Supreme Court and the &C.
ton OF the militia in that respect f1i-
ly sustained.
The law-abiding citizens Of the
state need not be alarmed by the frea
zied cry that they are all in danger n
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 tbs
regard | pursued the course whirh
seemed wisest and best. and canuot
seek higher authority for its legalltg
than the Supreme Court.
There may have been occasional IN
dlscretIous Of officers or men as Is lu-
evitable with a large body not acc
toned 10 such seryices-but whence
such instances have been brought 20
my attention they have been prompt
and properly dealt with and the 10.
tional guard Of the state has be-
maintained on a high standard
THE troops were In the Crime
Greek district from September 4 fs93
To the nth day Of April. 1884. ir a.
minishing numbers as conditions per.
mitted. The general policy pursued In
Cripple Greek was followed In cher
parts OF the state and particularly In
Telluride where the -exeesses and
crimes of the federation had been stili
more inhuman than In any ether dis
trict and the reign Of terror SIN more
complete Order now prevails there
and Il 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 subsided The
last Of the troops we're Withdrawn. as
I have stated. on the 11th day of
April 1904 The mines were all heing
operated with a full quota Of men who
we're not affiliated with the Western
Federation Of Miners save only the
Portland mine where many sadera
tion members were employed The iaw-
lessness which has everywhere chsrae-
ierized the methods OF that federation
seemed for a time TO have peen
abandoned by II. The district appar-
entity was destined TO enjoy a pariod
of peace But IL proved to be only the
calm before the storm. At about 3
o'clock on the morning OF June s. a
mine OF dynamite was exploded by
means Of an Internal machine laced
underneath the station platform al In
dependence and thirteen men were in
stantly blown TO fragments and many
others muiilated and MANNED for life
All these men were non-union n .ners
about to board a train for their homes
in the district.
This Infamous outrage. follow as
IL did years of intimidation. threats
countless assaults and murders. was
the last of the series which had caused
a yeritable reign OF terror in that min
ing district The citizens OF the
county. inexpressibly shocked at this
wholesa ale murder OF innocent men. de-
terminei 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 troops