The Colorado statesman., 1915-10-16
MINERS To STAND TRIAL
GOVERNOR CREDITS CITIZENS
WITH GOOD FAITH IN CASE.
Executive Issues Statement Following
Supreme Court Decision Granting
Lawson Bail at $4,000.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Denver.-Governor Carlson has is
sued statement to the public in
watch 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
view of having stopped the prosecution
OF all pending strike cases.
The unselfish motives of those who
nave 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 l feel 1t
fair to those directly Interested and to
the people of the sta.e 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-
tion.
ION my advent to office I found that
Governor Ammons had issued an exec
utive order to the attorney general or
dering the investigation and prosecu-
tiou of all violations of the law grow
progress.
Following 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 as a result the indictments
in question Were presented.
Il know of no reason for disregard
ing or belittlins the Judgment of these
officials and grand jures and contin-
made Governor y
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 a
pleasant one and if 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 do not feel
that l can now order the annulment of
these prosecutions. Theywere instituted
In good faith and upon evidence suffi-
ciently convincing to the attorney gem
district attorneys to warrant bring
Ing these defendants to trial.
This is from a legal standpoint.
However. these citizens, already re-
ferred to. have urged my Interference
upon what might be called eXtra-le gal
grounds.
Considerations of so-called peace.
mercy and business have been urged
as justification for the action which
it was hoped 1 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
lawlessness.
These indictments will be subject to
hA IA 10 nh .Nf Ittri. tf.asa nd
| 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 We're
legally charged with crime should be
turned loose without trial for those
extra. legal reasons Siven.
1t has been asserted that such a
course would put an end to the agita =
ton that is going on in certain quar-
, 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-
ficient agitation to disturb our peace of
mind do not believe that our citi-
Zens are willing to purchase mental
peace at such price.
TT 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 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 the
offense because 1t increases the danger
to society.
"t 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
81 cannot see any deterrent of flu
ture crimes of the same nature if those
of the past are 10 be Sdoned and for
gotten.
1t has been urged that so long as
these cases are pending business viii
be stagnant and that foreign capital
will not come into the state.
In my opinion capital never will in
vest in this state until 1t 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