Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-08-03
WELL2


ernor Alexander's personal opinion is
concerning the Industrial Workers of
the World. The governor spent sew
eraI weeks In the north investigating
the organization and its workings
and shortly after his return to the
state capital he gave out a signed
article which was published in the
Evening Capital News OF July 81.
The following paragraph is = quo
tation from the governors exposition
OF what the l. w. w. stands for:
1.-THE real object of the organiza-
ton is unquestionably proven by the
literature OF the organization, and by
their speeches which are revolution
airy, reasonable and unlawful, un-
christian and immoral. The real OBJ
ject of the leaders is to do away with
present day civilization and to sub
stitute therefor the reign of terror
of the French revolution OF murder,
rapine, and bloodshed."
That is emphatic language. The
governor is evidently clear in his own
mind concerning the character Of the
organization that has terrorized much
OF the northern part of the state.
Revolutionary, reasonable and
unlawful, unchristian and immoral. /"
1t would seem that no more grave in
dictment could be brought against
any body of men. But further along
in the governors article occur these
sentences which are more specific:
They are opposed to everything
that we hold sacred, mother, daugh-
ter, wife, marriage and the home. .
I mill rrlrv
copy of one of their songs and by
reading 1t you will agree with me
that the time has arrived when this
terrible scourge should be stamped
out. Just think of the
words of this song under the title
head, Onward Christian Soldiers"
Smash the doors OF every home,
Pretty maidens sieze,
Use your might and sacred right
To treat them as you please.
File your bullets noses flat.
Poison every we'll,
God DEGREES your enemies
J Must all go plumb to hell"
In view of these statements given
out under the signature of the gov
ernor of Idaho, the public will marvel
over the fact that the chief executive
OF Idaho openly hobnobbed with the
members of the 1. w. w. when he
was in the north. It is OF record that
he visited their camps and catoled
the men. In at least one case he
made them a present of a box OF CT
gars. At another time he ostenta-
tiously shook hands with an :. w. w.
prisoner in court when that prisoner
was on trial for violation of the
laws.
Perhaps these remarkable fnstanc-
es of the governors conduct took
place before he had so definitely
made up his mind concerning the
character and purpose OF the 7. w. w.
organization and its members. But
now that he has made up his mind
and has given to the public a sum
mary of his conclusions, any action
that can be construed as showing
federation of the /. w. W., or any
step in the nature of a conciliatory
measure will be truly remarkable.
No American citizen, much less the
governor OF a great state, will dare
to tolerate or conciliate, especially in
war time, an organization which is
revolutionary, reasonable and un-
lawful. unehristian and immoral"
The governor understands thor
oughly the nature of the menace
which the I. w. w is to the state
and to the whole nation. Meanwhile
it is authoriattveIy reported that the
leaders of the organization are open
ing headquarters at Nampa. Pocatello
and elsewhere In the southern part of
the state.
The farmers of southern Idaho will
be particularly interested to learn
that L w w. speakern in S,otxane