The Delta independent., 1904-11-04
ADAMS PRoMIiEs NOT TO USE
MILITIA
Open Letter No. 10,

To the Hon. Ara Adams:
Dear Sir-You are doubtless aware
by this time that the announcement Of
your adherence to the cause OF your
friends Of the Western Federation OF
Miners in your recent Denver speech
has created a profound Impression
ufon the voters Of Colorado.
They suspected as much all the
time" but now that you have been
goaded into making a specific declara-
tion and have chosen the side of the
red flag" element rather than that Of
tie law and order people. an immed,-
ate readjusting Of political lines has
followed.
The people nov feel that they know
upon which side you stand. although
your declarations. as usual. were more
or less clouded with ambiguity. Your
conservative followers felt much en-
couraged when you declared that II an
insurrection occurred you would use
the strong arm OF the government to
assert Its power. but all hope fed when
you turned to your friends. the fight
ing. ire-eating Socialists of the West
ern Federation of Miners. and in the
same breath told them that the militia
should be more decorative than use
full" and used to shed lustre ami glcry
on parades"
Why not disband it,
If you believe that the militia Should
be rendered useless" or at least SIM
ply ornamental. why do you not as a
matter of both principle and economy,
urge that it be disbandefs Your views
and those of the Moyeri.es are ideuti-
cal upon this point.
ment the militia would be rather an
expensive luxury. q.
In order to make sure that your fed
Grafton followers would understand
you. you aided that the militia would
not be used TO take sic :" in an in
dustrial conflict" There is but oae
reasonable Interpretation Of this re-
markable utterance. and the people
have discovered It very promptly.
Don't you think It would have been
much more disnified. patriotic and con
sistent with the duty of public man
for you to have boldly informed your
militant Socialist supporters that the
best way to keep the militia out of the
field and make 1t solely ornamental
would be to obey the law and respect
every mans natural and legal rishts-
You know very well. Mr. Adams,
tha. the Colorado militia has never
been used in strikes unless II was to
prevent or suppress lawlessness.
Why did you not tell your followers
that II they would behave themselves
the militia would never trouble themc
The average man believes that there
are two sides to the question Of strike
lawlessness-the side of TIE law and
the side OF the lawless-hut here you
are. a candidate for governor. telling
the lawless people tha, you will not
permit the militia to take sides either
for or against themi
II you don't want them 10 un :cr
stand your statement in this way, yor
should say so quickly. TO. they now
feel that you meant what you said an
they are gloating over 1t. The follow
ing questions cover some pot,;s which
you have studiously avoided III your
public utterances:
What Would He Do,
Governor Peabody believes tina, tht
state has the right to prevent as We
as to suppress strike or other lawIesS
ness when the local authorities fci'
Do you Join him in this belief
Governor Peabody believes that i,i
not necessary. when local authcritir
fail. for the governor to wait until Ii
and property is sacrificed before sen:
ing help to the law-abiding people {
community.
Is this your ides. and would YOU ac
upon il Il elected and such situate
arise.
Governor Peabody does rot be;iev
that It is necessary for him TO walt 70
local officials to request the troops
suppress disorder or insurrectIon whe
they show evidences o. being in syn
pathy with such disorder or insure
tion.
Do you think he is right about this
Let US suppose that 80 armed strif
ers should charge upon the Tom Eo
mine. in which you have been the priS
clpal owner. and capture il, alter XII
ing ore or two Of your employees.
Would you send telegram to Il
Sovernor rs was dong by the REM