Rocky Ford enterprise., 1915-10-15
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 a 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 a number of days certain citi-
zens have conferred with me with a
view of having stopped the prosecution
of al pending strike cases
THE unselfish motives OF those WHO
have urged this action upon me anu
the Importance of the subject causeu
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.
these conferences and hence feel II
fair to those directly interested ana TO
the people of the state to declare the
policy of this office in regard to the
matter and to set at hch rest any s~ eoh,foe have
been caused by this premature pubica-
tion.
Governor Ammons had issued an exec
utive order to the attorney general Or
dering the investigation and prosecu-
ing out of the coal strike then in
"foliowing that order the attorney
general, the grand juries of four diff
ferent counties and several district at
torneys made Investigations, heard
!, complaints of all who had complaints
to make and would appear before
them, and a result the Indictments
in question were presented.
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
math of conditions. in no wise created
by this administration. continuing to
and other state officials, was not u
pleasant one and If 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 do not feel
that 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.
upon what might be called extra-ieEal
grounds.
mercy and business have been urged
a Justification for the action which
1t was hoped / 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
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
iawlessness.
These indict ments will be subject to
the double check of juries, troal and re-
view courts. and any innocent among
those charged with guilt will receive
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
course would put an end to the agita-
tion that is going on in certain quar-
tcrs. and leave this state in n more
peaceful condition.
Granting that such result would
follow. ii is in effect to say that
group of persons commit any crime
and receive immunity If they raise suf-
ficient agitation TO disturb our peace OF
mind. / do not believe that our ciu-
zens are willing to purchase mental
peace at such n price.
1T has been said that il would be
the merciful thing to do-and yet as
justice should be tempered with mercy
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, 1t increases the
offcuse because IL increases the danger
TO society.
Il was elected upon platform
which, among other things. promised
to 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-
sons who attack that sovereignty.
Il cannot see any deterrent of fu-
ture crimes of the same nature If those
of the past are TO be coudoncd and for
gotten.
1t has been urged that so long as
these cases are pending business Will
he stagnant and that foreign capital
Will not come into the state.
In my opinion. capital never Will in
vest in this state until II is demon
strated tltat attacks upon life and prop
crty will not be tolerated and this can
not be demonstrated by turning loose
persons charged with such crimes
Bail for John r. Lawson.