Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1907-12-21
Will Not Do Work the
State Authorities Me-
gIect to Perform.
KNOCK FOR GOVERNOR
Official Severely Criticised in
Telegram for Representa-
tions Made.

Washington, Dec. 81. - President
Roosevelt yesterday administered
stinging rebuke to Governor Sparks of
Nevada for neglect of duty by the
peace officers at Goldfeld.
At the Same time the president or
dered withdrawn on Dec. so the fed
eral troops at the mining town, be-
cause. as he telegraphed Governor
Sparks, he saw no reason why the
federal government should do ordinary
police duty which local authorities are
unwilling, apparently, to perform.
The nations executive made it plain
that his action was the result of care
full investigation by government agents,
who had been dispatched to GOldfield
to ascertain whether or not the situa-
tion warranted call for troops.
Hints ut Misrepresentation.
On Dec. II the president telegraphe,t
Governor Sparks with regard to the
need for soldiers, as follows:
Il sent the troops at your request
because from the tenor of your tele
gram and from. the representations
made me by the two senators from
Nevada and the member of the lower
house of congress from Nevada it ap-
peared that an insurrection was i'm
minent, against which the state au-
thorities would be poworless.
THE troops have now been in Gold
field 10 days and no insurrectiOn has
occurred, and seemingly no circum-
stances exist to justify your now call
ing on me for action by the troops un-
der the provision Of the constitution.
THE troops were sent to Goldfield
to be ready to meet a grave emergency
which seemed likely at once to arise,
and not to provide a substitute for the
exercise by the state of its police func-
tions.
Asks for Explanation.
81 do not feel at liberty to leave
them indefinitely under such circum-
stances that they Will, in effect, be
performing on the part of the United
States those ordinary duties of main.
tanning public order in the state of Ne
vada which rest upon the state govern
ment.
'As the legislature CT Nevada has
not been convened, | am bound to as
sumo that the powers already vested
in the peace officers of the state are
adequate. and that, if they choose TO dc
so. they can maintain order them
selves. Under these circumstances
unless there be forthwith further cause
shown to justify keeping the troops a
Goldfield, shall direct that they shall
return to their former stations.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
second Telegram Is Warm.
Governor Sparks not only failed t,
show cause why the troops should re
main in Goldfield, but ignored utterl.
tho presidents telegram.
Yesterday the president telegTaphe'
the governor as follows:
Il have received no answer from yo
to my telegram of Dec. II, in which
further cause shown to justify keepin
the troops at Goldfield I/should direC
their return to their former stations.
81 am informed by the three repre-
sentatives OF the department of con
merce and labor who are in Goldfiel
by my orders that you have stated
them in writing that you will not col
vene the legislature to consider ca
for troops nor take the necessary ster
to form safe military force.
No Serious Disturbance.
Their report further satisfies II
that there is no disturbance threatene
which the government of Nevada ougl
not to be able to. control if it starts
work with serious purpose to do S