The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1912-08-12
25[aHIji!f|iI is
SYyI k q I,a 3 R55S
The Governors Statement.
charleston Nali.)

AANiI'l
The governor has returned from an
inspection Of Paint Creek conditions
as they appear 10 him following n trip
OF inspection there yesterday. While
the governor intlmateg that he may
have something to say on the: mining
conditions in that region later, his
first aim, he says, Is to settle the diff
ficufty that now is causing SO much
loss and anxiety to all the parties di.
rectly involved in the controversy and
to great many persons not directly
involved, Nearly thousand soldiers
of West Virginia have been withdrawn
from productive pursuits, to go on
guard in the troubled region. The
Estate; that is, the taxpayers, Is put
Il big daily expense because Of the
necessity OF employing troops, the
mines are not producing their quota
Of work. and miners are out Of EN-
ployment. Everybody seems to be
getting the worst Of 1t, without appar-
emily any, one getting any good out OF
It. Under such circumstances It Is
no wonder that the governor Is con
cerned, concerned for all parties who
are directly or indirectly involved In
one way Or another In the results OF
a strike. AS the governor vel says,
what most citizens will desire Is
peace" The Mail agrees with him
that every citizen ought 10 be will
ing 10 contribute his mite to this end
In fact, 1t Is not, as has been shown
By the large range OF persons affected,
simply a matter between the oper-
ators and the miners. 1t has devel-
oped into atthins In which the whole
state Is In large measure concerned.
Whenever state troops, and especially
practically all OF them, are called out.
the thing becomes matter that Of.
fects the whole commonwealth. Un.
der these circumstances, 1t naturally
behooves the governor to take what.
ever steps he can, and also to ask
and secure the cooperation OF all the
citizens OF the state in solving tho
difficulties and in preserving the maj
csty and dignity of The law, tho firm
establishment of order and the right
of the citizen to pursue his usual vo
cations and avocations, unIniolested.
Order Is the first requisite OF state.
1t was the first thing for which states
were formed. Protection of life and
property stand at the head OF the list
OF things needful toward a stable and
equitable government that will secure
to all, the humblest and lowest as we'll
as the most powerful, their natural
rights 10 pursue happiness and well
being. 1t Is the especial function OIL
the state TO protect the weak from the
vicious and powerful. However, the
Idea Of the functions of the state have
been ever expanding and from, Inc
simple idea Of order and protection |
there have grown up a multitude OF
other things, correlated to these things
that II has been held In ever larger,
measure TO be the function of the,
state TO perform. Among these Is the
general welfare of her people, the pre-
,ention Or the removal of causes that |
tend to, Cypress and injure any por.
ton OF the people, Above all stands
the common good. "Salus populi gu,
prenla lcx.' was the old Roman law
adage, however insperfectly carried
ont The welfare of the people is
the supreme law" can well be taken
In this age as cmhodying the first
principles OF government. and the gov
ernor is right in every attempt he
may make that can leGitlmatcly he
made. to bring back peace, restore to
industry Its legitimate earnings and
to the workman that opportunity for
honest support that should be the
OF every man.