The state herald., 1915-10-15
STATE
NEWS
Western Newspaper Union News service.
GOVERNORS STATEMENT.
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-
zchs have conferred with me with
view of having stopped the prosecution
of al 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 consldera-
tloh 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 II
fair 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 at 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 had issued an exec
ntiYo order to the attorney general or
ter'ng the Investigation and prosecu-
tion of all violations OF the law grow
ing out OF the coal strike then in
| progress.
general, the grand Jurles of four diff
ferent counties and several district at
| torncys made Investigations, heard
complaints of all who had complaints
10 make and would appear before
Them. and as n result the indictments
| IN question were presented.
Il know of no reason for disregard
ing or belittling the Judgment OF these
I uFan nd fnp nj In.
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 a
| pleasant one and II continuing this or
/ der could have been avoided honorably
| certainly 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
| .hese prosecutions. They were Instituted
| IN good faith and upon evidence suffl-
| clrntly convincing to the attorney gem
eral grand 1urios and the different
/ district attorneys TO warrant bring
Ing these defendants to trial.
| This Is from a legal standpoint.
| However, these citizens, already re-
| ierred To, have urged my Interference
upon what might be called extra-legal
grounds.
! pence
I mercy and business have been urged
as a Justification for the action which
| II was honed | would take. To find
answer TO these arguments do not
/ desire to review the history OF the
/ strike and the terrible nature or the
/ crimes committed for which the de-
ioHdants now stand under indictment
! aud trial,
ut VIII be sufficient to remind our
| citizens that state sovereignty was lost
and that federal troops were sent here
20 protect the state from organized
| lawlessncss
These indictments viii be subject to
the double check OF jurics. troal and re-
| View courts. and any Innocent among
those charged with guilt viii receive
/ ylndlcatlon.
decide whether or not those who were
| legally charged with crime should be
! turned loos" without trial for those
extra legal reasons given.
| 1T has been asserted that such a
course would put an end TO the aglta-
I tion that IL going on In certain quar-
tors. ana ieay" this state In n more
peaceful condition.
"Grantinp that such result would
| follow, II n In effect to say that n
group Of persons can commit any Grim.
apd receive immunity u they raise suf-
iiclont agitation to disturb our peace OF
mind do not believe that our rlti.
Gems are willing TO purchase mental
peace NJ such price.
1T has been said that II would b.
the mcrclful thing to do-and yot Hs
justice should be tempered with mercy
so should mercy be- tempered with jus
tice, aud what Justice has been done
society II those charged with murder
and arson are allowed 10 go free with
out trial?
The wholesale character Of thes.
crimes does not deprive them Of their
etlminality3 Instead, II Increases tho
offense because It increases the danger
To society
u was elected upon platform
which, among other things. promised
to restore the state sovereignty upon
firm basis.
In my belief the only way this can
be done N to punish any person or per-
sons who attack that sovereignty
u cannot see any deterrent Of fu.
turc crimes Of the same nature II thOs.
~ the past are to b" cnndoned and for
gotten.
1t has been urged that 80 long as
hes" cus"s nro pending business will
be staFunnt aud thht foreign capital
VIII not com" Into the state.
In my opinion. capital never viii In.
vest In this state untii Il IL demon
strnt"d that attacks upon life and prop
erty VIII not be tolerated and this can.
not be- demonstrated by turning loo-.
oh NtHlU