The Holly chieftain., 1915-10-15
STATECAPlTA
NEWS
Western Newspaper Union Ne~. Service.
GOVERNORS STATEMENT.
Cases Against Strikers Not 10 Dc
ouaehed.


ouashed.
Denver-G0vernor Carlson has is-
sued . statement to the public In
which he announced that he would
take NO action to end the prosecu-
tons arising out Of the recent coal
strike that are now pending In the
courts. The governors statement is
o. follows:
For a number Of days certain citi-
view OF having stopped the prosecution
OF All 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 considera-
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 ! feel 1t
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
peen caused by this premature publica-
ION my advent to office found that
Governor Ammons had issued an exec
utive order to the attorney general or
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 dif-
ferent counties and several district at
torneys made Investigations, heard
complaints of all who had complaints
them. and as result the Indictments
In question were presented.
know Of no reason for disregard
Ing or belittiing the Judgment of these
mons.
THE thought of this vexatious after
by this administration. continuing TO
take the time and energies of myself
and other state officials, was not
pleasant one and II continuing this or
certainly 1t would have been done
Events since that time have not
changed my opinion and I do not feel
that l can now order the annulment of
IN good faith and upon evidence suffi-
GENTLY convincing to the attorney gem
srai. s, grand juries and the different
Ing these defendants to trial trial D''ns
This Is from legal standpoint
However. these citizens, already re-
terred to, have urged my interference
grounds.
Considerations of so-called peace
mercy and business have been urged
as Justification for the action which
It was hoped I 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-
fendants now stand under indictment
an( trial.
Mt will be sufficient to remind our
citizens that state sovereignty was lost
q ND hat fa1A fr<~N Z
to protect the state from organized
lawlessness.
These indictments will be subject to
the double check Of juries, troal and re-
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-
tion that is going on in certain quar-
ters, and leave this state in 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 II they raise suf-
hcfent agitation to disturb our peace of
mind. do not believe that our citi-
Gems are willing to purchase mental
peace at such a price.
at has been said that it 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 II those charged with murder
and arson are allowed to go free with
3ut trial?
The wholesale character of these
crimes does not deprive them of their
criminality: instead, 1t Increases the
offense because 1t increases the danger
to society.
II was elected upon a platform
which, among other things, promised
20 restore the state sovereignty upon
n firm basis.
"In my belief, the only way this can
be done is to punish any person or per-
Il cannot see any deterrent OF fu-
ture crimes of the same nature IL 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.
I'm my opinion, capital never will in
vest in this state until 1t Is demon
strated that attacks upon life and prop
srty will not be tolerated and this can
persons charged with such crimes
Pail for John r. Lawson.
Denver.-John R. Lawson, national
board member for Colorado of the
United Mine Workers, and leader Of
the recent coal strike, who is in Jail