The Raymer enterprise., 1915-10-14
MINERS TO STAND TRIAL
GOVERNOR CREDITS CITIZENS
WITH GOOD FAITH IN CASE.
Executive Issues Statement Following
Supreme Court Decision Granting
Lawson Bail at $35, 1000.
Western Newspaper Union News Service

Western Newspaper Union News Service,
Denver.-.Governo Carlson has is.
sued statement 10 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 a number Of days certain citi-
zens have conferred with me with a
view of having stopped the prosecution
OF all pending strike cases.
"Fhe unselfish motives of those who
nave urged this action upon me and
the Importance of the subject caused
me TO give The most serious consldera-
ton 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 | feel 1t
Ia1r 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 nj rest any contro-
versy or speculation which may have
been caused by this premature publica-
tion.
"On my advent TO office found that
Governor Ammons mad issued an exec
utiVe order to the attorney general or
dering the investigation and prosecu-
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
Ierent counties and several district al
tofhe.s made Investigations heard
complaints of all who had complaints
10 make aud would appear before
them, and as result the indictments
III question We're presented.
i know OF no reason for disregard
Ing or bellttling the judgment of these
officials and grand juries and contiu-
ued the order made by Governor Am
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
and other state officials, was not Il
pleasant one and II continuing this or
der could have been avoided honorably
cert tainlN II would have been done.
Events since that time have not
changed my opinion and | do not feel
that ! can now order the annulment Of
these prosecutions. They We're instituted
In good faith and upon evidence suffi-
eral grand 1uries and the different
district attorneys to warrant bring
Ing these defendants TO trial
Tnis ~ from a legal standpoint
However. these citizens already re-
ferred To. have urged my interference
upon what might be called extra-legal
grounds.
Considerations Of so-called peace,
mercy and business have been urged
as n Justification for the action which
II 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-
tendanis now stand under Indictment
and trial
1t will be sufficient to remind our
clizens that state sovereignty was lost
and that federal troops We're sent here
10 protect the state from organized
lawlessness
These indict ments will be subject Ia
he double check Of juries. troal and re-
view courts, aud any innocent among
those charged with guilt Will receive
vindication
The only question for me was 10
decide whether or not those who werr
legally charged with crime should be
turned loose without trial for those
extra legal reasons given.
III has been asserted that such n
course would put an end to the agita-
tton that is going on In certain quar-
lers, and leave this state In a more
peaceful condition
Granting that such result would
follow, it is in effect TO say that a
group Of persons can commit any crime
and receive immunity IL they raise suf-
flcient agitation to disturb our peace Of
mind. do not believe that our citi.
hens are willing to purchase mental
peace al such price
1T has been said that 1t would be
the merciful thing to do-and yet as
Justice should be tempered with mercy
80 should mercy be tempered with JUS
ice. 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, 1t increases the
nffense because II increases the danger
10 society.
Il was elected upon 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 {" punish any person or per
sons who attack that sovereignty.
II cannot see any deterrent Of fn.
ture crimes nf the same nature if thos,-
pf the past are TO be condoned and for
gotten.
1T has been urged thai so long as
these cases are pending business will
be stagnant and that foreign capital
Will not cDme into the state.
In my opinion, capital never viii in
vest in this state until il is demon.
strated that attacks upon life and prop.
erty will not be tolerated aud this cam
not be demonstrated by turning loose