The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-09-11
COLONEL ROOSEVELT SPEAKS
STRAIGHT FROM SHOULDER TO
PEOPLE OF COLUMBUS.
Tolls People of Ohio City That Recent
Conditions in Street Car Strike Have
Eccn Rcprctcnsible and Urges With
~AIl His Power the Punishment OF
Lawbrcakcrs.

Columbus, AZ, Sept. M In ianEunge
as emphatic ns hc could make N. cpl.
onel Roosevelt told the people or Co
lumbuS today that scenes of disorder
such as had occurred here during the
street car strike were reprcha ansble
and reflected disgrace upon any per
sons who either were responsible for
them Or favored them. Colonel Roosc
welt spoke to one Cf the largest
crowds Of his western tour. He was
guarded by an escort Of regular troops
from the barracks III columbrs, al
though there was no sign cl dis
order.
The colonel raised his voice to the
highest pitch and, with fists clcnchcd
and his face set stcrny. he told them
that 1t was their first duty To rcpress
lawlessncss. Mayor Marshall Of Co
lumbus, whose conduct of the police
force during the strike has been the
subject of much discussion, said To
Colonel Roosevelt after he had fin
ished his address:
you do not know how much
strength you have given me-
Policemen who heard the eX-prcsi :
dent denounce the officers Of the law
who did not repress lawlcssness went
to him and shook his hand. The great
crowd cheered him for several min
utes.
Colonel Roosevclt's address was as
follows:
NRoosevelt's Speech.
Before l came to Ohio, /. of course
knew of the lamcntable conditions
which had continued for so many
weeks here AT Columbus.
As soon as I entered Ohio and ever
since | have from time 10 time been
addressed by letter and even personally
by both sides, asking me to come to
Columbus and speak. | will say frank
ly that | did not like to come her,
but | like still less lodging and so !
have come.
Il notice | have been advertised t.
speak on the subject of Law and
Order and | shall But | will alsC
speak on justice for exactly what Ii
the duty Or all good citizens to set
absolutely and without reserve thai
law and order prevail 1t Is just a.
much their duty to see that justice
prevails,
First Requisite.
THE first requisite To the establish
ment Of justice Is the establishment
of law and order and woe 10 the man
the public official or private either
who falls to realize this fact. Especial
" should be nblor and probate til,
conduct Of the public servant who fo
amy reason fails IN his duty In thi,
respect We must equally condemn
the public servant aud ourselves. T'h'
people arc also as responsible az til,
public servants
"If We stop content with tho mcr,
establishment of law and oYGc" W
fall to do our duty. which Is b,
thorough going investigation to flint
whether Justice has been denied ana In
Justice committed Hnd then to us
the Whole power of the government I,
sight any wrong that has been done.
Certain Broad Points.
Now. at the outset, let me say ii
clearly as possible, that | do not an,
cannot undertake to say what TIL
exact facts are, for thoroughly rcput
able citizens writing to me on behal
Of the two sides, flatly contradict cacl
other. But there are certain broa
points directly applicable to you
present situation which can be lai
down without hesitation. There Is II
question but that many acts OF vio
lnncc have been committed, including
bomb throwing and the use of tina
weapon Of the worst. the meanest, TIL
basest and most cowardly type of as
assins-dynamite.
Now. the first duty Of the govern
i