Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-12-29
ROOSEVELT IS KINDLY BUT FIRM
Tells Chief Executive of the State
That lt>is Up to Him to Prevent
Disorder, But He Orders the Troops
Not to be Withdrawn on Monday,
as Had Been Scheduled.
fRy Associated preasl

WASHINGTON, ID. c., Dec 2S =
President Roosevelt today indicated
by telegraph to Governor Sparks OF
Nevada, that the Federal troops now
at Golditeld will be ordered to re-
main there for further period of
three weeks. provided the governor.
within five days issues call for II
special session of the legislature.
The telegram of the President was In
response to one from the governor
| In which he sets forth the need of
armed intervention. and expresses
the doubt that to call the legislature
would result in the necessary request
from that body for Federal aid.
Governor Sparks despatch reviews
nj length the conditions bordering OH
domestic violence and insurrection in
the Goldiield mining district for the
past year and continues as follows:
This condition has existed in the
'Goldfieid- niinfngsSuIetriot the past
year. and exists there now 1t calls
for the presence OF the troops to keep
the peace. AS this condition has
been of slow growth it will take time
to remove It. In my judgement, 1t
is necessary that troops be kept at
GOldiield an indefinite period of time.
They should remain there until both
sides are shown that the district IS
to remain an armed camp ana n
scene of continual warfare. The
communist and anarchist must seek
new fields; the laboring man must be
convinced that arbitration and peace
full 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 evil
dence to convince all that no other
method will be tolerated. 1t is
known as q matter OF history that
] recommended measure at the last
session having for its object the es-
Enlistment Of q state constabulary
along the lines of the Texas Rang
ers, which was rejected by that body,
the members thereof still being in
office. The assembly of that session.
with the vote of all but one, passed
a resolution denouncing the injustice
done Meyer. Haywood and Pettibone
by the denial OF speedy trial.
JOHN SPARKS,
Governor"
The Presidents Reply.
The Presidents reply is as fol-
, lows:
1.-THE White House.
Washington, D. c..
Dec. 2S,19O7.
"Hon. John Sparks. Governor,
Carson City. New.
Your telegram December &c is
received. 1t in effect declares you
have failed to cal! the legislature
together because, in your judgement,
the Legislature would not call upon
the government of the United States
for the use of troops, although your
opinion is it ought to do so. The
constitution of the United States i'm
poses, not upon you, but upon the
legislature, If it 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 constitu-
ton. because in your judgement the
legislature would fall to perform ITS
duty under the constitution. The state
government certainly does not APP
pear to have made any serious effort
to do 1t duty by the effective enforce
ment of its police functions. l re-
peat again what have already said
to YOU several times. that under the
circumstances now existing in the
State of Nevada, as made known 10
me an application from the legisla-
ture of the state Is an essential con-
dit!on to the definite continuance of
the troops AT Goldheld. circumstances
may change, and If they do will
take whatever action the needs of
the situation require, so far as my
constitutional powers permit. But the