The Lamar register., 1904-08-03

meDSe aO0iuOnal expense Inc Ouls
safe and available remedy seemed to
be to disperse the radical members. II
all of them had not personally parti-
cipated in the outrages they had ct
least stood approyingly by and given
their support, encoura cement and pro
lection.
IF these men were scattered the
avenues which ten years of organiza-
tion and association had opened for
crime in that district would be closed.
II would require much time in any
other community before they could
gather about them a new band of con.
spirators with the inclination and
daring to inaugurate in a new field an
other condition OF terrorism. These
men. as have said, had de-
termined never to yield the
strike. The mine owners had
resolved not to employ again
the members of that organization
Therefore the only employment which
remained for them was that of stirring
up strife-committing depredations and
intimidating by inhuman crimes the
working miners.
Il resolved that they should be dis
persed and / dispersed them. This was
done. however. only after careful in
vestigation of each individual case
Il hope and believe that these men
so sent from the district will when re-
leased from the evil influences OF a
criminal leadership return to lawful
living and resolve that a recognition
OF the rights which the laws confer is
the proper guide for conduct
No Attempt to Cypress Labor.
From what l have said and from
what is within the knowledge of every
citizen of the state. it will be seen that
disturbances have been limited to the
mining and its allied industries 1t has
been charged repeatedly that the mill
tia has been placed at the disposal of
the mine owners to oppose labor. The
injustice of the charge is apparent.
but it will doubtless continue TO be
made. The militia was employed TO
restore order and TO protect labor and
property in the rights to which each is
entitled under the law. The militia
opposed the wishes and purposes of the
federation because that organization
was attempting to prevent by violence
the operation of mines and mills. II
Is again charged that ! have been en-
gagged in war upon unions generally.
and strenuous and repeated efforts are
being made to play upon the passions
OF union men. | do not believe the Ell
forts will be successful. do not believe
the conservative union men of the state
Will feel called upon to adopt the policy
OF the leaders of the federation, nor
can l believe they will sanction it.
believe they will be able to discrimin.
ate between their own unions and prin.
ciples and the socialistic, anarchistic
objects and methods of the federation.
In the ten years of its existence the
Western Federation of Miners has in
volved the state in a cash outlay for
the militia of more than 81, ,OOO, 600.
Il propose in the future as in the
past. to see to IL that the laws are
faithfully executed and in the accom-
plishment OF that purpose shall not
inquire whether the individual entitled
to protection is, or is not a member of
any labor organization. No one can
appreciate more than |. not only the
right and wisdom of laboring men to
join together for the purpose of bet
tering their wages and working condi-
tions. and no one can believe more
heartily than | in a fair wage and
reasonable hours. 1t will be a matter
of great regret to me If the laboring
men of the state fail to see that | am
fighting their battle. for l sincerely be
lieve that organized labor has no more
dangerous enemy than the Western
Federation of Miners. which is seeking
under the cloak of organized labor. to
protect itself alike in the promulga-
tion of its dishonest socialistic theo-
ries, which recognize no right to pri-
vate property, and from the result of
its anarchistic tenets and tendencies.
Legitimate labor organizations of ne
cessity suffer from the criminal ag
gressions of the federation. Its claim
IN hn rba nf a
ton is its only title to responsibility.
| believe that no greater good can be
conferred upon the cause of union la
bor striving to better the condition
of its members, than that the members
of such legitimate labor unions con-
denim the methods Of the federation.
Those who are charged with the
duty of seeing that the lives and prop
erty of citizens are respected have diff
ficult and perplexing problems to
solve in times of insurrection and
great public stress.
II have had to deal with an organiza-
ton which has no counterpart in this
country. Its official proclamations. full
of defiance and challenge. issued from
time to time, have amounted, as has
been said, to "a declaration of war
against the state
81 have met the challenge with
policy none too vigorous for the out
lawry l was called on to oppose. But
through it all | have had but one OBJ
ject, and that to show the people of
Colorado that the laws will be upheld
that a criminal organization cannot
dictate the policy of this administra-
ton. and that everywhere within the
borders of Colorado. property shall be
secure and labor shall be free.
JAMES H. PEABODY.
Governor"