Gilpin observer., 1915-10-14
STATECAPITAL
NEWS
Western Newspaper Union News service.
GOVERNORS STATEMENT.
Cases Against Strikers Not to Be
Quashed.

Cases Against Strikers Not to Be
Quashed.
Denver.-Governor Carlson has is-
sued statement to the public in
which he announced that he would
take no action to end the prosecu-
tions arising out of the recent coal
strike that are now pending in the
courts. The governors statement is
as follows:
For number of day. certain citi-
zens have conferred with me with
view of having stopped the prosecution
of al pending strike cases.
The unselfish motives OF those who
have urged this action upon me and
the Importance of the subject caused
me to give the most serious considers
tion to their requests and during the
past two weeks those interested have
been in almost continuous conference
at this office.
Premature publication was given
these conferences and hence I feel 1t
fair to those directly interested and to
the people of the state to declare the
policy of this office in regard to the
matter and to set at rest any contro-
versy or speculation which may have
been caused by this premature publica-
tion.
"On my advent to office 1 found that
Governor Ammons had issued an exec
utive order to the attorney general Or
ueTlnR the lnVeStlSatlOn anu
tion of all violations of the law grow
ing out of the coal strike then in
progress.
Following that order the attorney
general the grand juries of four diff
cerent counties and several district at
torneys made Investigations, heard
complaints of all who had complaints
20 make and would appear before
them, and as a result the indictments
In question were presented.
Il know of no reason for disregard
ing or belittling the judgment of these
officials and grand juries and contin-
ued the order made by Governor Am
"The thought of this vexatious after
snath of conditions. in no wise created
by this administration. continuing TO
and other state officials. was not
pleasant one and II continuing this or
der could have been avoided honorably
certainly 1t would have been done.
Events since that time have not
changed my opinion and l do not feel
that 1 can now order the annulment of
these prosecutions. They were instituted
in good faith and upon evidence suffi-
ciently convincing to the attorney gem
eral, grand juries and the different
district attorneys to warrant bring
ing these defendants to trial.
This is from legal standpoint.
However. these citizens. already re-
ferred to, have urged my interference
upon what might be called extra-legal
grounds.
as justification for the action which
1t was hoped / would take. To find
answer to these arguments / do not
desire to review the history of the
strike and the terrible nature of the
crimes committed for which the de-
PENDANTS now stand under Indictment
and trial.
1T will be sufficient to remind our
citizens that state sovereignty was lost
10 protect the state from organized
1awlessness.
These indictments will be subject to
the double check OF juries, troal and re-
view courts. and any innocent among
those charged with guilt will receive
vindication.
decide whether or not those who were
legally charged with crime should be
turned loose without trial for those
~ extra-legal reasons given.
1T has been asserted that such a
course would put an end to the agita-
tion that is going on in certain quar-
peaceful condition.
Granting that such result would
follow. II is in effect to say that n
group of persons can commit any crime
and receive immunity II they raise suf-
ficient agitation to disturb our peace of
mind. I do not believe that our citi-
zens are willing to purchase mental
peace at such a price.
1T has been said that 1t would be
the merciful thing to do-and yet as
justice should be tempered with mercy
so should mercy be tempered with JUS
tice. and what justice has been done
society IL those charged with murder
and arson are allowed to go free with
out trial?
The wholesale character of these
crimes does not deprive them of their
criminality: instead. il Increases the
offense because 1t increases the danger
to society.
II was elected upon platform
which. among other things promised
to restore the state sovereignty upon
firm basis
In my belief. the only way this can
2 be done is to punish any person or per-
sons who attack that sovereignty.
Il cannot see any deterrent of flu
ture crimes of the same nature If those
OF the past are to be condoned and for
gotten.
1T has been urged that so long as
these cases are pending business will
be stagnant and that foreign capital
Will not come into the state.
In my opinion. capital never will in
vest in this state until IL is demon
strated that attacks upon life and prop
erty Will not be tolerated and this can
not be demonstrated by turning loose
persons charged with such crimes