The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-07-10
Voice Of the 2 eople
Defense Of Preston

Editor Of The Times-Dispntch:
Slr,-In your issue Of the 18th instant
an editorial, entitled The Socialist
Labor Party states that that organl-
zation has nominated for the presidency
OF the United States a convict, but no
tintimation is given to your readers as
to the nature of the offense for which
this man is Imprisoned.
Martin r. Preston, OF Goldficld, New.
the person In question, though convict
ed of murder, IS the victim ofinjusticc.
Els life was about to be taken by a
desperate enemy. whom he shot and
killed In sef-defense. Briefly stated,
the circumstances were as follows
Preston was miner, belonging to
the Industrial Workers of the World,
which at the time had strong hold II,
Goldtield. and embraced nearly all the
local labor unions. This organization
incurred the hostility OF the mine OWN
ers and the Citizens Alliance. who ems
ployed tactics similar to those prevl-
ously adopted in Colorado In order TO
wipe out the Industrial Workers of
the World and the Western Federation
of Miners. As result of this labor
crushing policy. various strikes oc-
CURED. among which was one of the
female employees in the restaurants.
One Silva, who conducted a restau-
rant In Goldfield, had been charged by.
a waitress in his employ OF having
made improper proposals to her. and
OIL BdNlUS "ltHIlelu -leT WdSeb. n AIleFi
an investigation by the union OF which
the young woman was member. 4
boycott was declared against Silya's
establishment. The motto OF the In
dustrial Workers being "An injury to
one Is the concern OF ALL" the boycott
was pushed with vIgor. Preston. the
miner, was acting as union picket
opposite the restaurant when Silva.
in rage, rushed at him with a gun.
declaring his purpose to kill him.
Preston's only recourse to save his life
was to shoot. which he did with fatal
results to Silva.
The trial and the verdict were ira
vesties on Justice. the principal evil
dcnce adduced by the prosecution being
that OF criminals and desperadoes who
had been imported by the detectives in
the employ of the mine owners.
Preston was convicted and sentenced
to twenty-five years. and q young fel-
low named Smith, also union man,
who happened to be near when the
occurred, was given ten years
as accessory. An appeal has been
taken, and the Supreme Court of Me-
vada has the matter under consldera-
ton.
The circumstances surrounding the
labor troubles al Goldfeld and the law
less tactics Of the mine owners or
ton were few months ago re-
ported by the government commission.
sent there by President Roosevelt.
whose scathing arraignment Of those.
for the importation of Fed
eral troops is still fresh In the public
mind.
1t is the firm belief OF multitudes OF
the working class that Preston's con-
viction was on account of his being
Socialist and an industrial unionist as
well as a member of the Western Fed
Grafton of Miners.
Possessing, as he does, intelligence,
integrity, courage, and.wfth clean
record for loyalty to his class. Pres ton,
deserves the honor which has been con-
ferred upon him by the Socialist Labor
As to the constitutionality Of his can
didacy, he being three years below the
the provisions of the Constitutions will
inliict no hardship on society. The
capitalist class has, by it's example in.
cases where real crises eX-.
listed involving human life and liberty,
demonstrated that the Constitution Is
interposes no insupcrable barrier when
material interests constitute the issue.
II Preston is elected his constituents
Will make an effort to twist the vener-
able document. for one time, to suit
the ends OF. the ", working class.
Manchester. Va. July 9. 1908.
I'm viewsof the fact that Preston mas
Just declined the nomination Of his
party, 1t would seem that the effort to
twist the venerable document WILL have
to be postponed till some later date
IIdltor.1
----------------- 5s s.
Woman May Stop Wars.
We talk OF tho tax-burdened peas
ant Of continental Europe, but no such
this lavish outpourtng OF money on
And the Wonenss clubs OF
the United States. which are trying
to better the condition OF their own
cannot afford to ignore
the chief obstacle to progress and lne5
chief menace to the peace and PROS
pcrity OF the land. If the women OF
the country once start In on the work