Durango semi-weekly herald., 1904-03-24
WAS THERE SUFFICIENT PROVO.
CATION?

EXaminer.-TO review all the de-
rails and circumstances which led up
to the episode Monday night would
he a long story. 1t would be neces-
sary to refer back to the strike on
spring OF 1901, the riot on that pro-
perty on July Sd Of that year, the as
Sassination of Manager Collins, OF the
5muggler company, on November 2lst
l902the disappearance of Barney and
Smith, etc. etc While the failure of
the last general assembly to pass an
elght.hour law. after the people of the
state had voted for It by majority
If more than 10000, and the ordering
Of the strike in the mills in this dis
trict on September LIST of last year
were more Immediately the cause. yet
it is believed the first mentioned oc-
currences. toge her with union domin-
alton and boycotts, were more direct
ly responsible.
1t would necessarily require extreme
proyocation to incite intelligent, con-
servatiye men to do what was done
on last Monday night. The men en-
gagged in that affair are among the
wealthiest, most progressive and in
relligent in the community. They are
not men to arrive at conclusions with
out due consideration and take snap
judgment on anybody. They are in
dulgent and generous with respect to
The conduct of others. The reasons.
therefore, must have been good to
cause them TO ransack the city, gath
er in some G5 striking miners and un-
ion sympathizers and deport them to
Ridgway.
For several years. during V. St.
Johns presidency, the Telluride Min
ers' Union was the second strongest
in the Western Federation of Miners,
the Butte. Montana union ranking
first. When II is considered that Tel
luride has a population OF only about
5000 that is something remarkable
II means that the union can exert a
powerful Influence over the town If
it so desires. President St John was
not the character of a man to pass up
any opportunity to make himself felt.
He saw his opportunity to compel the
people of Telluride to acknowledge
the power of the Miners union and he
took advantage Of IL. His Miners
union embraced a membership Of
more than 1000, and there was or
ganized during his presidency Fed
eral Labor Union with a membership
Of between four and five hundred
made up Of people employed In var
ious capacities in town st. John vir-
tnally controlled the latter organiZa-
lion as well as the former, and he had
large personal following. He was
like an octopus with tcntacles extend
ing in every direction. His influence
was so great that IL practically per
meated every business in the city.
He could bankrupt poor merchant at
any time If he saw fit. Some business
men compromised their self-respect
and Independence in order to merit
his favor and continue in business. He
Instituted a boycott on those that did
not. but they fortunately possessed
sufficient capital to Withstand the
siege st John was a young man and
| IL pleased him to see other people fear
| and genufiect him. He controlled alb
solntely the majority OF his union and
they were as loyal to him rs any sub
| iect ever was to his king Merchants
always had to be careful not to dc
anything that might possibly incur
the displeasure of the dictator, for ii
they did and were unable to explain
it satisfactorily, IT, perhaps, meant
business Suicide The business men
and others endured this dictatorship
with pathetic countenance and Ian
guid eye. hoping that the day might
come when there would be change
While he was thus dominating the
city. crimes were committed, and de
spite the best efforts of local officers
Ms well as those OF detectives from tht
outside. the perpetrators could not b'
discovered. People blamed the Off
GERS; but what could the officers do
No one in the vicinity of the com
mission of the crime knew anythin.
about It, They could find nothlni
tangible from which to start clue
The deed was done and there yo,