Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-12-29
SOLDIERS STAY
IN GOLOF|ELD
nD!STR|CT
PRESIDENT HEEDS PLEA
OF GOVERNOR OF NEVADA
Stat Executive Given Three
Weeks to Get Legislature
Together and Comply With
Demands of Constitution,

lbs Morning journal Special Leased Wire.
ashington, Dee. 2S.-Presiden
Roosevelt today indicated by Telegram
to Governor Sparks. of Nevada tha
= federal troops now at GoldfielC
wtil be ordered to remain there for Z
further period of three weeks pro.
vided the governor within five days
issues a call for a special session ol
the state Legislature. The telegram
President Roosevelt sent was in re-
sponse to the following telegram from
the governor:
Carson, New, Dec. 26, 1907.
To the President,
Washington, ID. c.:
"As chief magistrate of the state OF
Nevada, / have been Of the opinion
for the past year that a condition bor-
dering on domestic violence and in
surrection has existed in the Goldfield
mining district. There has been an al
most constant state of war between
the miners union and the mine own
ers who employ the members of the
union. During the year 1907 practi-
cally One-fourth Of the time was oc-
cupied in actual strikes, and several
months In agitations about other
strikes Without considering the
merits of any of the controversies ii
is only necessary to state that the en-
tire district became separated into two
hostile camps. on the one hand the
miners with their adherents and SYM
pathizers. and on the other hand the
mine owners with their adherents and
sympathiZers.
"The union alone claimed mem
bership OF 1900, and fully one-half of
the membership were constantly
armed.
arms aud ammunition were pur-
chased and kept by the union as a
body ON. tht other hand, the mine
owners had in their employ large
number of watehmen and guards who
were constantly armed and on duty
in addition TO these opposing forces
was an unusually large number OF
the criminal oleineut. attracted TO the
new and booming mining camp. Un-
der such conditions the civil author
tiles were practically powerless. They
could attend to the ordinary petty OIL
tenders from day to day, but at the
first conflict between the armies OF
labor and capital they would have
been swept away
"rhe repeated strikes and cOntin-
ued threats of strikes irritated the
mine owners more and more. II was
clear to me, therefore. that when the
last call was sent, In the midst OF the
financial crisis and with long VIM
ter facing the people situated on the
desert hundreds of miles from any
centers of population, 1t was time 10
recognize the actual condition OF al
fairs and to act accordingly. a state
of violence and insurrection arises, IN
my Judgment, when armed bodies are
in existence with sufficient power 70
overcome the civil authorities ana
CONTINUED threats are made by the dls-
satisfied people. This has been the
condition OF the Goldheld mining dis
trlct during the past year ana II eN-
lists there now, and calls for the pres
ence of the troops to keep the peace
As this condition has been SLOW OF
growth ii viii take time to remove H.
''In my Judgment IL is necessary taat
troops be kept at Goldfield an IN
definite period of time. They sf 'uld
remain there until both sides are
shown that the district is not To re-
main an armed camp and seen oI
continual warfare. The communists
and anarchists must seek other iielGs.
The laboring man must be convinced
that arbitration and peaceful methods
are more certain and lasting methods
of improving his condition thah pg
dvnamite and shotgun. This can only
come about with time, ana tor the
present aud some time in the future
the strong arm OF the military n'ua'
Dp IN evidence 10 tbhN nv OF ''''
other method will be tolerated
II is known as matter Of legisla-
tive history that | recommended
measure al the last session having Tor
its object the establishment OF state
constabulary along the line OF lhe
Texas Rangers. which was rejected Dy
that body. the members thereon sun
being in office The assembly OF that
session, with the vote Oi an but ON
NannnnpInn the ln-
Justice done Meyer. Haywood anu
Pettibonc by the denial Of speedy
trial The resolution, however Was
tabled by the senate.
"Tt l. "A matter Of only few weeks
since / called for the opinion oi OH.
fcrent representatives ana lnulNiuua
citizens OF the state generally as ~
the advisa bility Of conNenlhs speSlal
session 10 act upon a then eNlstihs
cmerrepcv. which. however. did not
relate TO the present situation Inc
ovnressious received at that time IN
dioated that 95 per cent Of the people
were opposcd 10 such extra session
For geogfaphicai reasons ana on a.
count OF the customary zen udsa
uutics to members 10 would DC lihPos
.ihIo "a convcne and organize "A spe-
riai session of the legislature In les
than three weeks. presumlng on ths
unost expcdftious action on the part vi
the members. For these reasons !
deemed II impossible 20 convene the
legislature in sDecia session 70 49,. -,
the prescnt emergency ana sun ilihh
il highly inadvissble. This teleei ,l dIll
vas In course Of preparation on the
18th instant In reply 90 your teieefali'
of that date but / Was taken iil anu
have only Just returned 10 my othee'
I am nov sending u IN lieu OF the
letter which 7 wired you was m course
Of preparation. The delay was npl
Intentional on my part and no dis
courtesy meant thereby.
fSienedD JOHN SPARKS.
Governor.
The. presidents reply In fun was -
follows:
s.Th. white HOUSE. Washington.
~December -. 1897
Hon John sparks Governor.
Carson City. Nevada
Your telegram % Dec. IS b. re-
ceived II. In effect, declares that you