The sun., 1907-12-29
ULFTNAFUM TO COY. SPARKS
PRESEDENTGIVES HIM FIVE DAYS
TO CALI LEGTSLATURE.


accompanied by ar ultimatum.- 20 Gov.
Sparks OF Nevada. The President tells the
Governor again that 1t is his duty to call
the Legislature in extra session to deal
with the miners strike situation. At the
same time he has postponed the with
drawal Of Federal troops, but only for a
brief period.
The following telegfaphic correspondence
between the President and the Governor
was made public this afternoon;
CARSON. New. Dec. "a. 1907.
TAs President. Washington:
As Chief Magistrate Of the State of Nevada
! have been Of the opinion for the past year
that condition bordering on domestic viO-
lence and insurrection has existed in the Gold
field mining district There has been an
almost constant state Of war between the
miners union and the mine owners who EN-
ploy the members of the union During the
year 1867 practically one-fourth Of the time
was occupied in actual strikes and several
months in agitation about other strikes.
Without considering the merit Of any OF the
controversies IL is only necessary TO state that
the entire district became divided into two
hostile camps on the one hand the miners
with their adherents and sympathizers. and
on the other hand the mine owners with their
adherents and sympathizers.
The union alone claimed a membership OF
5000, and fully One-half OF the membership
were constantly armed. Arms and ammuni-
tion were purchased and kept by the union a.
body. On the other hand, the mine owners
had in their employ a large number of watch
men and guards who were constantly armed
and on duty. IN addition to these opposing
forces were an unusually large number OF the
criminal element attracted TO the new and
booming mining camp Under such con-
ditiOns the civil authorities were practically
poweress They could attend to the ordinary
petty offenders from day TO day. but at the
first conflict between the real armies Of labor
and capital they would have been swept away.
The repeated strikes and continued threats OF
other strikes irritated the mine oW neTs more
and more.
II was clear TO me- therefore, that when
the last strike was called in the midst OF the
financial crisis spreading over the country
and with a long winter facing the 10 600 people
situated upon the desert. hundreds OF miles
from any centres OF population. il was time
TO recognize the actual condition of affairs
and to act accordingly state of domestic
violence and insurrection arises. In my iudE-
ment. when armed bodies are in existence
with sufficient power to overcome the civil
OF the destruction of life and property. This
condition has existed in the GOldneld mining
district the last year and exists there now
II calls for the presence of the troops to keep
the peace As this condition has been OF slow
growth II will take time TO remove.
In my judgment IL is necessary THAT troops
be kept at GOIdneld an indefinite period OF
time. They should remain there until both
sides are shown that the district is not to re-
main an armed camp and "A scene OF con-
tinual warfare. The communist and anar-
Chist must seek new fields the laboring man
be convinced that arbitration and peaceful
methods are more certain and lasting methods
OF improving his condition than by dynamite
and the shotgun. This can only come about
with time. and for the present and some time
in the future the strong arm Of the military
must be in evidence to convince all that no
other method will be tolerated
10 is known as matter OF Legislative
history that 1 recommended u measure at
the last session having for its object the
tablishment of State const abularly along
the lines OF the Texas rangers. which was
rejected by that body. the members thereof
still being in Ofiice. The Assembly OF that
session. with the vote Of all but one. pa ssed
a resolution denouncing the injustice done
Meyer, Haywood and PettibOne by the de-
nial Of speedy trial The resolution. how
ever. was tabled by the Senate.
1t il a matter of only few weeks since I
called for the opinions Of different representa-
tives and individuals Of the State generally
AZ TO the advisability of cOnvsning a special
session to act upon then existing emergency.
which, however. did rot relate to the present
situation. The expressions received at thai
time indicated that 95 per cent OF the people
we're opposed TO such extra session. For
Reogrs phical reasons and on account Of the
customary ten days notice TO members IL
would be impossible TO convene and organize
Il ~ kka I -,
than three weeks, presuming on the most
expeditions action on the part OF the mem-
bers. For these reasons deemed il inpOs-
sibe to convene the Legislature in special
session to meet the present emergency and
still think II highly inadvisable.
This telegram was in course OF preparation
on the 18th instant. 10 reply to your telegram
OF that date. but was taken i'll and have only
just returned to my ONCE. I am now sending
it in lieu OF the letter which wired you was
In course OF preparation. The delay was not
Intended on my part and no discouTtesy
meant thsreby. JoHN SPARKS. Governor.
The Presidents message in reply is in
part as follows:
The wEArE FOUsE,
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2s, 1907.
To hs Hon. John Srarks. Gorerror. Carson
Ctr. Ner.:
Your telegram December 20 In received.
10 In effect declares that you have failed
90 call the Legislature together because In
your Judgment the Legislature would not
call upon the Government Of the United
States for the use Of troops. although in
your opinion IL ought 10 do so.
Tho Constitution OF the United States i'm
poses. not upon you but upon the Legls-
laturs II II can be convened. the duty Of
calling upon the Government of the United
states TO protect the State OF Nevada against
domestic violence. You now request me to
use the armed forces Of the United States
In violation OF the Constitution because In
your judgment the Legislature wou, d fail
20 perform Its duty under the Constitution.
The State Governments certainly does not
appear to have made any serious eirOr, TO do
les duty by the effective enforcement Of It's
police functions repeat again what have
already said to you several times. chat under
the circumstances now existing In the State
OF Nevada, as made known to me. an applica-
, tiOn from the Legislature OF the State Is an
essential condition TO the indefinite con-
tInuance OF the troops &C Goldfed.
, circumstances may change. and IL they
do will take whatever action the needs
NJ fha aifuafl0n YaduirA m eou-