The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-06-16
SUNDAY. JUNE 1s, 1907.
"a DAMNADLE CoNsrlnAcY."

In The Time s-Dispatch OF June LIN
an article appeared from the VICE
president of the local Typographical
Union. taking issue with the union for
its action in condemning the prosecu-
ton Of Meyer, Haywood and Pettibone
as a "dan1nabe conspiracy Of the capt.
talist class" Elsewhere we print a re-
ply to this article which takes the
stand that because Meyer, Haywood
and Pettibone, belong to the western
Federation of Miners, who have been
at war with the 1Iline-owners In Idaho
and Colorado, the prosecution loses Its
legal aspect and becomes persecution
by a powerful band of conspirators.,
further on our correspondent says
that every Richmond nottingham
should view capitalism as his foe-a
proposition which Is predicated upon
feelings, conditions and aims which
do not now and need never exist IN
this community. But II conditions
Should arise when any organization
sought by intimidation anu murder to
control the laws. politics and business
OF this community. then, here as in
Colorado and Idaho, citizens would re-
sort to force to protect by arms what
was not safeguarded by law.
III the course of his reply our CORE
spondent refers to the government re-
port on the labor conditions in Coll
orado. We have not been able to OBJ
tain access to this report up to this
time, but nothing contained in thai
report affects the real point at issue
In the present prosecution. Apart from
any confession made by Harry Orchard
1t is undeniable that from 1892 to
1899 condition Of open warfare ex-
listed between the mine-owners and the
Western Federation of Miners in
Idaho.
In all such cases there Is wrong on
both sides, but the object of the pros
ecution in Idaho at present is not to
Eift the evidence and determine who
was first at fault, but only to ascer-
TAIN II possible, whether Meyer, Hay
wood and Pcttibone are or are not
legally chargeable with the death of
Governor Frank Steunenberg 1t is a
fact that Governor Steuncnberg was
foully murdered six years after the
action for which he became a special
object OF hatred by the Western Fed
GRAFTON OF Miners. It Is also q fact
that under thes. finding of the Supreme
Court OF thy United States based on
the laws of this country and the
State OF Idaho. the present defendants
legally held and legally tried by the
State OF Idaho. The sole question
therefore, is whether, these men will
receive a fair trial, and this is tx
point that chiefly concerns the plair
citizen, whether he belongs to the
labor union or not. So far as a con
spiracy exists, or existed, 1t Is in evi
dence that James Kneebone. a Stat
witness in 1892, was killed by maske,
men In 1894. when ho attempted t,
return TO Idaho. Frederick D. Whit
ney, foreman Of the Helena Erisc
Company, at Gem, was likewise takc
from his bed and killed In 1897. :,
one case man was tied to railroa
handcar, and the car turned loose o
a long, steep grade. In 1897, Presideu
Boyce. OF the Western Federation G
4liners. advised every union to form
rife club, and further advised ths
nd a ct hn
from all compani or individuals en-
ploying members Of the National Guar
and all organizations admitting the
to membership. In 1893 1t is admitte
that large body OF members Of IL
Western Federation of Miners capture
the train. went TO Wardner and d,
rtroyed the Bunker Hill mill, value
at 100000, After the destruction
Bunker Hin mine the miners captur,
James Cheyne. mill man; r. II. r,
gers. the company's stenographer, a,
William II, Huff. the assayer The
men were subjected to great indigniti
and then ordered to run
Rogers was slightly wounded as
d
was shot through the hip, from viii
wound he died three days later, II,
escaped unhurt Following this o,
break Governor Steunenberg called
Federal troops. which came under Gle
oral Merriam. General Merriam a
rested 52s men who were believed
have taken part In the destruction
the Bunker Hill mine. and eGnfr
them In large warehouse. II v
General Merrias's statement 10 ,
Secretary Of War tsee Senate DO,
ments. Volume 4. coenr d'Alene Mini
Troubles, page I'D tina, OF 1880 pr
oners, nearly all admit being In
Ftot April oath" At this time. dur