The Elbert County tribune., 1907-12-26
TROOPS TO Be
WITHDRAWN
BECAUSE GOVERNOR SPARKS HAS
FAILED IN HIS DUTY AT
GoLDFIElD.
STATE CAN KEEP ORDER
PRESIDENT WILL NOT FURNISH
SOLDIERS FOR POLICE
SERVICE.

Washington. Because Governo,
Sparks of Nevada has seemingly de.
ceived him as to conditions in Goidfield
and mas refused to convene the state
Legislature in extra session to con-
slider call for troops or to organize
safe military force President Roose-
welt has ordered that unless further
proof of the need OF troops is furnished
him, they win leave Goldfield Decem-
ber. Both.
Telegrams on which the decision to
withdraw the troops is based were CIV
en- out at the White House. The first
under date OF December, 18th. directed
tc Governor sparks OF Nevada and
signed by the president, reads:
Il sent troops at your request be-
cause from the tenor of your telegram
and from the representations made me
by the two senators from Nevada and
the members of the lower house OF
Congress from Nevada, II appeared
that IN insurrection was eminent,
against which the state authorities
would be powerless.
The troops have now been in
Goldfield ten days and no insurrection
has occurred. and seemingly no cir
cumstances exist to Justify your call
ing on me for action by the troops
under the provision of the constitu-
ton. Thee troops were sent to Gold
field to be ready to meet a grave
emergency, which seemed likely at
once to arise and not TO provide sub
stitute for the exercise by the state
of its police functions.
Il do not feel at liberty to leave
them Indefinitely under such circum-
stances that they will in effect be per
forming 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 government
of the state
"As the Legislature of Nevada has
not been convened, am bound to as.
sumo that the powers already vested
in the peace offices of the state are
adequate and that IL they choose to
they can maintain order themselves
under these circumstances, unless,
there be forthwith further cause shown
to Justify keeping the troops at Gold
field. | shall direct that they shall re-
turn to their former station"
The following telegram was sent to
Governor Sparks Friday by the Presi-
dent
Il have received no answer from you
to my telegram of December 18th, in
which l said that unless there was
forthwith further cause shown to just
ify keeping the troops at Goldfield, |
should direct their return to their for
mcr station.
II am informed by the three repre-.
sentatives of the department of com
nerce and labor who are in Goldfield
by my order that you have stated to
them in writing that you will not
convene the Legislature to consular a
call for troops. nor take the neces-
sary steps to form a safe military
force. Their report further satisfies
me that there is no disturbance threat
ened which the government of Nevada
ought not to be able TO control If 1t
starts TO work with serious purpose
to do so, but that no effort is being
made by the government OF Nevada TO
take the steps necessary in the matter.
| stand ready to see that the national
government does its full constitutional
duty in this matter Of preserving or
der. but this readiness on the part q
the national government does not ex-
cuse the state government for failure
to perform its full duty in the first
place. Federal aid should not be sought
for by the state as a method of rellev-
ing Itself from this duty. and the state
should not be permitted to substitute
the United States for the government
of the state In the ordinary duties OF
maintaining order with the state. For
the reasons given In this and nv for
mer telegram. / have accordingly di-
rected the troops to return to their for
mer station on Monday, December Both
next.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"