The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1911-02-28
THE RULE OF Law

through all the discussion of the
great calamity that has so suddenly
overtaken the mining camp of Tono
founded or unfounded, that somebody
has been negligent-if not criminally
careless, at least unpardonably indif
ferent to the value of human life
There also runs a suspicion that the
fire in the mine was not accidental.
There are numerous specific allega-
tions, all of which, no matter whom
they touch, should be sifted for every
grain of truth they may contain. These
charges are true or they are not true.
If they be true the people have a right
to intervene through the machinery
of the law, if they be false the people
must and will acquit the innocent.
1t is charged
First-That the Belmont mine was
not properly or sufficiently ventilated
or equi for such ventilation.
Second-That it was not properly or
adequately equipped with fire fighting
apparatus, or as such mines are usual
ly equipped.
Third-That Foreman Fitzgerald, af-
ter the smoke was found to be issuing
from the Belmont shaft, sent seventy
men into the mine through the shaft
of anothr claim, and that when a pro-
faof mao x,ofaaI Lo +1II {ba MAN ~
some of them, that they could go into
the mine or to the Office and get their
time.
Fouth-That the men who went into
the mine, went there as miners under
orders, and not as fremen under vol
untary service and without duress.
Fifth-That certain minor officials
have been party to a system of peon-
age under which they personally re-
ceived a percentage of the wages paid
to employees.
Sixth-That the feeling against the
company, reflected through minor Of
fcials and due to this alleged peonage
system and their attitudue toward the
men, was such as to justify the belief
that malice, rather than accident, was
the underlying cause of the fire.
These are the more important as
poets of the subject discussed by the
people, all of which are relevant to
the proposed official inquiry. Every
question suggested by either of these
allegations should be answered by the
jury n the man most eager for such
answer is naturally the man wrongly
accused. There has probably been
reckless accusation, and possibly reck-
less %disavowal, but the truth in most
instances can be ascertained.
II there has been reckless disregard
for human life on the part Of the mine
operators; if there has been reckless
disregard for life under other than
voluntary service, there has been crime
and the criminal should be punished.
If some man, prompted by grievance,
real or imaginary, has taken the law
and the incendiary torch into his own
hand, he should be trailed to the
farthest limits of the earth, and should
receive the punishment the law pro-
vides.
The people will have confidence in
the Law and submit to its restraint
when they have reason to believe that
the law is honestly and impartially ad-
ministered, and there is q responsible
ty resting upon the officials of Nye
county that is not to be lightly treat
cd. This responsibility is not merely
to the families of the deceased min
ers, nor to the injured miners for
recompense; not merely to mine off
Gals or mine owners for the protec-
lion OF their property and their every
right, but to the larger public, to the
district and to the state. The vindica-
tion of the law is the first considera-
ton, and there is not a man in Neva-
da, no matter what his station, who
hasn't his rights in this case. Peace
and tranquility, and the rule of law
are his to demand.
On the subject of the accusations
cited above the Tribune occupies the
position and has maintained the men
tai attitude that every man should
maintain who accepts service upon the
jury charged with responsibility in the
investigation, and no man can honor
ably accept such service whose con-
v~ictions on the material points of the
investigation are already fixed. And
no man should be permitted to serve
upon that jury whose standing in the
community will not insure respect and
confidence in and compliance with the
verdict he will finally render or ap-
proua -Qo116alI Tr.hnna