The Elbert County tribune., 1917-07-20
GUNTER'S
MESSAGE
DELIVERED TO MEMBERS OF
COLORADO GENERAL ASSEM-
BLY, IN EXTRA SESSION.
Many Matters of Unusual Importance
for Consideration by War Body as
Troops of State Are Mustered
Into Federal Service

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
beaverton the 18th, Governor ]. C.
Gunter delivered the following mes
sage to the members OF the Twenty
first General Assembly. convened in
extraordinary session:
Mr.. President and Members of the
Twenty-fi first General Assembly:
,onyns6 when this .a body gathered and sd,
was at peace with all the world: now,
the controlling actor in the most III
course of history. Every effort known
to the law of nations. to the wisdom
of diplomacy, has been awaited of to
avert upon honorable terms participa-
ton in this confiict-all in vain. The
United States of America-our country
is at war: at war with more than
of military training. and whose splen-
did fighting qualities brave man
these valiant peoples. but loyalty and
devotedly do they follow theso lend
ers. Our people constitute peaceful
nation: they love their quiet homes.
their peaceful pursuits. the upbuiidins
of their country, but the time has new
er been when the call to arms has
sounded that the American people have
failed to become the brave and effi-
cient soldier and to make all sacrifices
they have carefully weighed the jus
tice of their cause. have invoked the
blessings of high heaven upon the sa-
credness of their combat, then have
they unsheathed the sword and with
all the enthusiasm and power Of the
nation thrown themselves into the con-
flict. While this great Republic en-
dares. its citizens will thrill with the
thought that marked the birth of tho
nation. Recall the scene as the found
ers of our Republic. facing the little
less than certainty OF all the penalties
of high treason-death and attainder
of blood-solemnly affixed their sig
Enxanant-
And for the support of this
Declaration tof Independence).
protection of Divine Providence,
we mutually pledge to each other
our lives, our fortunes and our
You, the War Legislature of Colo
RADIO. are today enacting another sol
emn scene: you are renewing this
zen OF this commonwealth. Almost i'm
possible to realize. know. surrounded
ures of home and the usual activities
of business life. yet terribly true 1t
is, We are in state of war and in a
few short weeks pathetic evidence of
this reality will be coming to us from
over the seas. Yours is the grave re-
sponsibility of providing for the peace
and good order of this state In this
hour of peril and making provision for
its generous and loyal support of the
eral Assembly of this commonwealth
may gather under this granite-sup-
ported dome; but no graver RESPONSE
than are now in the keeping of the
Twenty-first General Assembly. Hon
ored at any time is the citizen to be
member of the General Assembly of
Colorado but especially so to sit
member of the War Legislature of our
State.
EXTRAORDINARY SESSION.
The constitution OF our state en-
powers the chief executive extra
ordinary occasion to convene the Cen
eral Assembly The proclamation has
issued: you are here. Facts in aid of
your deliberations and the purposes of
convening should be before you.
Immediately upon the national dec
laration of state OF war. urgent mes
sages came from the nations chief ask
ing an inventory of our resources, our
coal, zinc, lead. copper. ordinary pro-
duction. possible production; railroads.
men employed in various activities. In
word, the power OF Colorado and her
citizenship to contribute to the ma
TONS needs in the great world war.
Urgent injunctions likewise came to
mics. A war advisory council to the
governor and other committees in aid
of state action were selected. They took
up their respective fields of activity.
Information was gathered. activities
entered upon, reports prepared and
substantial results attained
The inventory of the states affairs
discloses 100000 square miles of terri
tory, population 100000. diversity of
nationaIities; diversity Of interests;
hundreds of reservoirs, the dams of
dozens of which are greater than the
Johnstown dam. impounding more wa
ter and II broken the possibilities of
destruction therefrom greater. Reser,
voirs in the Arkansas watershed and
lying hereunder more than 100000
acres of highly cultivated land: reser-
voirs in the Rio Grande watershed, ly-
ing hereunder more than 100000 acres
OF highly cultivated land, without
further mention your minds supply
other great reservoirs within our state
and immense bodies of agricultural
to more than suggest the stupendous
and widespread ruin that would be
consequent upon their destruction
Coal mines 1914, production from Janu-
5000. 900 tons. MS All important that the
production of these properties be con-
tinuous and the production enlarged.
Employed In and around these mines.
$4,000: substantial part alien enc
mics. Copper. lead and zinc mines.
yielding ores of value of practically
$25.00O,000 per year: men employed.
about $4,000; considerable part be-
ing alien enemies. Power plants stor-
age plants, many thousands OF miles
of railroads with much of their mile
age through our mountainous sections.
Heavy construction, lengthy tunnels,
costly bridges. Quick and earnest
comes the warning from Washington.
the dictate of common-sense and pa
triotism; provide. for the security o.
was called. but not man more than
necessary. and many hours of anxiety
were experienced in the fear of made
quate protection. These steps have in
volved substantial expense.
August 5th the National Guard of the
Htate will be mustered into federal
service. 1t was Colorado's duty to fill
up this guard. at heavy expense