Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-01-14

Spouse 10 the call issued on Decem-
Der so by Governor Sparks, the
state legislature OF Nevada convened
in special session here today to con
slider the labor troubles in GoldReld.
The call was made at the request OF
President Roosevelt. who had noti-
fed Governor Sparks that such &C
ton must be taken or the federal
troops sent to Goldfield to deal with
a riot which did not materiaiize
would be recalled. IL is generally
believed tnat the legislature will re-
fuse TO adopt the recommendation
OF the governor. and in that case the
latter will probably declare martial
law. There are many avowed friends
OF the Western Federation of Miners
among the Nevada lawmakers, and
they will probably seek to prevent
any legislation looking to the es-
adjustment of a state militia. They
declare that such a militia would be
practically organized. armed, owned
and controlled by the mine owners
and would be used for the sole pur-
pose OF enabling the operators to
break up the union, import "scabs'
and inaugurate a reign of terror.
with its bullpens and deportations.
such as disgraced Colorado a few
years ago. They assert that the
miners have shown themselves will
ing and anxious to carry on peace
full strike, and that state troops
should not be used as strike break
ers.
That Governor Sparks is doubtful
OF the willingness OF the Legislature
TO take an active part in the Gold
field troubles is evidenced by his let
ter to President Roosevelt, in which
he said: 1T is a matter of legisla-
tive history that / recommend
measure at the last session to es-
tablish a state co1stabulary along
the lines OF the Texas rangers, which
was rejected by that body, the mem
bers Thereof still being in office. The
assembly OF that session, with the
vote OF all but one. passed a resolu-
tion denouncing the injustice done
Meyer, Haywood and Pettdbone by
the denial of a speedy trial The
resolution, however, was tab,pd by
the senate"
The governors implicated criticism
of the legislature because it demand
ed speedy trial for the leaders of
the Western Federation OF Miners
has aroused much indignation among
the members who voted for that res
olution, who declare that recent his
tory, in the acquital of Haywood and
Pettibone and the release of Meyer
has justified their contention.
The opinion is general among the
lawmakers that Governor John
Sparks has gone over to the Gold
field mine owners. despite the fact
that he was elected largely by the
votes of the miners and laborers,
who considered him tieir friend.
Others hold thaT the governor has
been cleverly taken in" by the
Goldfeld stock jobbers, who have
made him their unwilling tool in
securing free advertising for Gold
field. In one respect Sparks resem-
bles the late Governor Steunenberg
of Idaho, Harry Orchards victim.
Both Sparks and Steunenberg were
elected by laboring men, and both
aligned themselves with the mine
owners when trouble came. Steun-
enberg introduced the bullpen into
Idaho. and 1t is declared by Sparks
enemies that he desires to do like
wise in Nevada.
1t is notorious fact that Governor
Sparks has been OF late on exceed
ingly good terms with the Goldfield
stock jobbers, who promoted million
dollar companies by the dozens on
= capital of hole in the ground and
an abundant stock of hot air. Many
other prominent statesmen Of Ne
vada have been involved in these
get rich quick" schemes and have
aided the Goldheld boomers I'm their
efforts to attain new notorioty for
the town by having United States
troops sent to protect their inter
ests."
There are many rich mines I'm
Goldfeld, but most Of these are in
the hands Of a few men. The other
prospects" have been capitalized
for thousands OF times their posi-
BILE value and the stock sold TO un-
suspecting investors in the east.
Every possible means to boost
Goldheld and 20 advertise its re
sources" has been utilized by these
clever STOCK jobbers. Prize fights
were held at which princeIy purses
we're hung up, newspaper men were
subsidized 90 send ont glowing
stories of the wealth Of GoldaeId and
every other method Of obtaining no
toriety was utilized, to the end that
stock might be sold.
Then the bubble bursted. Men
supposed TO be worth millions woke
up and found themselves penniIess
The exodus began, and grew. until