The Elbert County tribune., 1915-10-15
MINERS TO STAND TRIAL
GOVERNOR CREDITS CITIZENS
WITH GOOD FAITH IN CASE.
executive Issues Statement Following
Supreme Court Decision Granting
Lawson Ball at SIS, 900.

western Newspaper Union News Service
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:
tor number OF dass certain citi-
zens have conferred with me with a
view or having stopped the prosecution
or al pending strike cases.
me unselfish motives OF those who
haNe urged this action upon me and
the Importance OF the subject caused
me To give the most serious considcra-
tioh 10 their requests and during the
past Two weeks those Interested have
beeh IN almost continuous conference
at This office.
Premature publication was given,
these conferences and hence / feel 1t
fair 10 those directly Interested and To
the people OF the sta.e to declare the
policA OF this office In regard to the
matter and TO set at rest any contro-
versy or speculation which may have
tion.
"on my advent to office found that
GoNerhor Ammons mad issued an exec
utlVe order to the attorney general or
heilhg the investigation and prosecu-
non 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 dit
terent counties and several district at
torneys made Investigations heard
eohpiaints GO Of all who had complaints
10 make and would appear before
them, and as a result the indictments
in question We're presented.
KNOW Of no reason for disregard
officials and grand Juries and contin-
mons
THE thought OF this vexatious after
math OF conditions. in no wise created
by this administration, continuing to
take the time and energies OF myself
PHEASANT one and II continuing this or
der could have been avoided honorably
cert ainly 1t would have been done.
Events since that time have not
changed my opinion and / do not feel
thai l can now order the annulment OF
these prosecutions They were instituted
IN good faith and upon evidence suffi-
ciehtly convincing to the attorney gem
eral. grand turios and the different
district attorneys to warrant bring
sng these defendants to trial.
This is from legal standpoint.
However. these citizens. already re-
ferred to- have urged my Interference
grounds.
Considerations of so-called peace.
mercy and business have been urged
as Justification for the action which
1t WAS hoped l would take. To find
answer to these arguments l 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.
''It will be sufficient to remind our
citizens that state sovereignty was lost
and that federal troops were sent hero
to protect the state from organized
lawlessncss.
These indictments will he subject to
the double check of juries. troal and re-
| view courts. and any Innocent among
| those charged with guilt will receive
vindication.
The only question for me was to
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-
ton that is going on in certain quar-
| ters, and leave this state in more
| peaceful condition.
Granting that such a result would
| follow. 1t Is in effect to say that a
| group of persons can commit any crime
| and receive immunity If they raise sur
ncient agitation to disturb our peace Of
mind l do not believe that our citi-
zcns are willing to purchase mental
| peace at such price.
1T has been said that II would be
| the mcrclful 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 If 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. IT Increases tho
offense because II increases the danger
to society.
II was elected upon a platform
which. among other things. promised
to restore the state sovereignty upon
a firm basis
In my belief. the only way this can
be done is to punish any person or per
sons who attack that sovereignty.
Il cannot see any deterrent OF flu
turc crimes Of the safse nature II those
Of the past are to be cbdoned and for
gotten
1T has been urged that 80 long as
these cnses are pending business VIII
be staEnant and that foreign capital
viii not come INTO the state.
In my opinion, capital never VIII In
vest In this state until II is demon
strated that attacks upon life and prop
erty VIII not be tolerated and this can
not be demonstrated by turning loose
] persons charged with such crimes