The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1907-07-05
lAB0R'S AGGRESSIVE FIGHT
Boise Trial an Epoch In Sociological
history-Lettsr From Hon. N. r.
Smith.

Grafton of Miners, now in progress
in this city, has resolved itself into
titanic struggle between capital
and labor in the great mining re-
gions of the West. The personality
of HAYWOOD and his straightfor-
ward 3ght for liberty looms big, it
is true, but behind it all is the
class battle.
The Western Federation of
Miners is an aggressive organiza-
ton and has been fortunate in hav-
ing at its head live, young, vigor
Gus, able and practical miners, men
of real, natural ability. AS wit
nesses on the stand they show their
metal, aud ] will venture the
opinion now that Haywood will
not be convicted. That the jury
will disagree is the most prevalent
opinion, aud indications now point
to that result. Under the evidence,
as II now stands, and the States
case has been established as forci-
big rs it was possible to establish
it, Haywood should be acquitted,
but the stakes are heavy on both
sides, and to attempt to positively
predict the outcome would be folly.
On the side of the miners is the
principle that makes for THEN
bettermcnt and freedom from wnge
oppression, On the side of the
mine owners, defeat would be gall
ing and would entail II decided
weakening OF capltalistlc strength,
not only in the West, but through
out the States.
Governor Steunenberg was vie
tim of conditions. As the Master
said: 1T is impossible but that
offenses will come, but woe unto
him through whom they come, etc. "
| will hereafter make it clear, Hs it
appears to me, who the offenders
were.
As for Boise, it is a beautiful
city of 2J,000 inhabitants. a pro-
gressive people. Boise's streets
are wide aud well paved. The
houses are of brick or stone, well
built and attractive. 1t is the
capital of the State of Idaho and a
splendid capitol building is now in
course of construction,
BY way of Denver and Salt Lake
City, the route to Boise is one
famed for its grandeur. left st .
LOuis on the evening of June y
aud arrived in Denver on the morn
ing of June %. Boise was yet al
most 600 miles away in the Far
West, Out from Denver about
fOrty-iive miles, running in west.
erly direction, we passed within
about six miles of the foot OF Pike S
Peak, which is more than IA 900
feet high, snow-capped forever and
like great sentinel watching and
numbering the cycles of time.
Here we stopped, but only for a
short time.
Up the Arkansas River the jour
ney was continued, the train climb
ing for more than one hundred
miles Of the route, the river along
side winding through canyons and
gOrges of marvellous sublimity, per-
pendicular walls of granite rising
over and above the track 200 feet
or more on each side, the roaring
waters dashing from cascade to
cascade and the train whirled along
by two great engines near the pre-.
cipitous banks of the river, with
whistles screeching necessarily.
The Royal Gorge, which is about
one mile in length, is one of the
most grandly spectacular scenes in
all the Rockies. | shall not attempt
to describe it. 1t must be seen to
be appreciated, and even then one
wonders whether such feat is
possible. AS we made the last as
cent Of the mountains within mile
of Leadville to Tennessee Pass, the
divide, or summit, the sun was
just falling behind those mighty
walls of granite, part of the mas
sive framework of the Western
Continent. Here we halted to catch
our breath, as they say, more than
5000 feet above the level of the
sea, There are 21 mountain peaks
visible from this point, each Of
them higher above the sea level
than Pixies Peak. Massive Peak,
which towers 10,240 feet from its
bases strikes farthest into the
heavens.
Down gorges along Eagle and
Grand Rivers we passed out OF
Colorado into Utah, crossing long
stretches of desert covered with
sage brush. Salt Lake city appears