The Idaho Springs siftings-news., 1915-10-15
.STATECAPITAL
NEWS
" estsrn Newspaper Union News service
GOVERNORS STATEMENT.

| GOVERNORS STATEMENT.
Cases Against Strikers Not to D
| Quashed.
| Denver-Governor Carlson has 10
sued a statement to the public In
which he announced that he would
take no action to end the proseou-
lions arising out of the recent coal
strike that are now pending in the
courts The governors statement 70
as follows:
For number of days certain eitt-
zens have conferred with me with
| view of having stopped the prosecution
of ~ 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-
| 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
| 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
| ton.
"On my advent to office found that
| OoNeEHOT nau lkouco All t4SC-
| utive order to the attorney general or
| dering the investigation and prosecu-
| ton of all violations of the law grow
Ing out Of the coal strike then in
Following that order the attorney
general. the grand 5uries of four DIFF
torneys made Investigations, heard
| complaints of all who had complaints
to make and would appear before
them, and as a result the indictments
n ni
I know OF no reason for disregard
Ing or belittling the judgment of these
| officials and grand 1uries and contin-
ued the order made by Governor Am
| mons.
THE thought of this vexatious after
math Of conditions. in no wise created
take the time and energies of myself
and other state officials. was not
pleasant one and II continuing this or
der could have been avoided honorably
certainly it would have been done.
Events since that time have not
changed my opinion and l do not feel
-hese prosecutions. They were instituted
in good faith and upon evidence suffi-
eiently convincing to the attorney gen.
eral, grand juries and the different
district attorneys to warrant bring
ing these defendants to trial
This is from legal standpoint.
ferred to, have urged my interference
upon what might be called extra-legal
grounds
Considerations of so-called peace.
as justification for the action which
it was hoped I would take. To find
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
and that federal troops were sent here
to protect the state from organized
These indictments will be subject to
the double check of juries troal and re-
view courts. and any innocent among
vindication.
decide whether or not those who were
legally charged with crime should b3
turned loose wi. bout trial for those
extra-legal reasons given.
1T has been ssserted that such
course would put ~ end to the agita-
ton that is going1pn in certain quar-
ters. and leave this state in more
peaceful condition.
Granting that suth 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 suf-
ficient agitation to disturb our peace of
mind. l do not believe that our citi-
peace at such a price.
1t has been said that it would be
the merciful thing to do-and vet 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
ana 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 the
offense because it increases the danger
to society.
II 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 to punish any person or per-
sons who attack that sovereignty
cannot see any deterrent of fu-
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
pc stagnant and that foreign capital
VIII not come into the state
In my opinion, ca pitaI never will in
vest IN this state until it is demon
strated that attacks upon life and prop
efty VIII not be tolerated and this can.
not be demonstrated by turning loose
persons charged with such crimes