The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1907-12-28
The GOldfield FiasCo.

Roosevelt directing the withdrawal on the 3Oth of
December of the Federal troops sent to Goldfeld
Nevada, by request of the Governor of the State on
the 18th of December
The general Government responded to the repre-
sensations of the Governor of Nevada, who assured
the authorities at Washington that demonstrations
of violence and unlawful conditions and conspiraces
obstructing the execution of the laws of the
State at Goldfeld and that the authorities were I'M
able to protect the people in their rights etc. The
appeal to the Governor, it appears recited some
conditions that existed more in fears for the future
than in reality.
Authority for Federal intervention exists in sec
ton four of article four of the Constitution, which
says the United States shall protect State against
domestic violence application of the Legislature,
of the executive, when the Legislature cannot be
convened 1t was never clearly established that the
conditions portrayed by the Governor of Nevada
actually existed. He made no effort to the
Legislature and some of the members of that body
protested against the call for Federal troops.
The Governor did not go to Goldied to inquire
into the situation until several days after the arrival
of soldiers and did not remain long. He is
absent from the scene of trouble and is said to be
sick
Under date of the Goth inst President Roosevelt
ordered the withdrawal of the troops from Gold
field, the evacuation to take place ten days later
the Government forces be returned to their quar-
tiers in California. In his order of withdrawal the
President states in effect, that he was deceived by
the Governor and the two Senators and the Repre-
sentative of Nevada, who made it appear that
instruction was imminent against which the State
would be poweress
"'The troops have been in Goldield ten days"
says the President "and instruction has occurred
and seemingly circumstances exist to justify your
calling for action by the troops under the
provision of the Constitution" The President
minded the Governor that the Legislature of Ne
vada had not been convened to provide for the
emergency and said he bound to assume that
the powers already vested in the police officers of
the State adequate and, if they choose to, they
maintain order themselves
The Governor had previously assured repre-
sentatives of the Department of Commerce and
Labor, sent to Gold6eld from Washington to in
vestigate the troubles that he would not convene
the Legislature to provide for the protection of the
community or the mine owners the mine oper-
ators. Several members of the Legislature filed pro-
tests at Washington against the occupation of Gold
field by Federal troops, saying that the police authori
ties of the State could maintain order.
commission composed of officials of the Depart
ment of Labor and Commerce. after investigation,
submitted report to the President and it is pre-
sumed that the order withdrawing the troops from
the scene was based upon that report.
All the circumstances connected with the Go1dhe1d
episode go to show that the Mine Owners Associa-
ton prevailed upon the Governor of the State to
secure the military protection of the Government,
that the mine owners might dissolve their relation
with the members of the Western Federation of Min
ers The day following the posting of the troops
the mine owners declared their independence of
labor and took steps to import non-union
miners and establish them in the mines.