Montana labor news., 1936-07-09
BE VICILANT AND
BE FREE

There are a lot Of newcomers and
youths going to vote in the coming Pri-
mary Election, many OF whom know
very little OF the past history Of many
of the candidates seeking nomination.
I, as a working man Of thirty-two
years residence in Montana, would like
to PROFOUND two questions which many
Of these new voters will be asking and
give the answer that any working man
cognizant OF the facts would give.
Who ordered the militia into Butte
in 1914?
Sam V. Stewart, the Governor of
Montana, now a justice OF the Supreme
Court and an aspirant for the Senator
ial nomination on the Democratic tic
ket, issued his proclamation on Sep
TENDER l, 1914 which placed Silver Bow
County under martial law. He pro-
claimed a state OF Instruction and
maintained the miners were in revolt
against the civil authorities though he
was daily informed to the contrary by
Mayor, Lewis ]. Duncan and Sheriff,
Tim Driscoll. Governor Stewart knew,
as we who were %conyersant with the
facts knew, that the miners were not
in revolt against the civil authorities
but were in economic revolt against
the mine operators, seeking a more just
share OF the vast wealth which they
were producing and the greatest por-
ton Of which was going to line the
pockets Of Eastern capitalists.
The Governor, knowing full well the
result which would follow his actions
threw the power Of the state behind
the operating companies and enabled
them to destroy the old Butte Miners
Union.
Sam V. Stewart by this act, more ef-
fectively than he could have done by
the spoken word, declared to the world
that property values to him stand first
and deserve more consideration than
human rights, which by him were and
are placed second.
His commitment to this principle
established again when in October,
1919, he allowed land his consent was
necessary the 44th U. S. Infantry to
be quartered in Butte, again to intimi-
date the workers and preserve property
rights, not property, at the expense Of
personal rights. Most convincing Of
his attitude is the fact that no official
action was tsl.en i'm TO csuse art
apprehension and punishment OF those
servants OF %entrenched powers guilty
Of the sacrifice of human life which
was made on Anaconda Road at that
time.
In 1914 he, as Governor, set up an I'M
lawful military administration under
which the cherished rights Of a free
people were abridged and trampled I'M
der foot in that
Bail was denied those under arrest.
Trial by jury was dispensed with.
Civil courts were suspended and
their place unsurped by a military court
martial, unlawfully and in violation Of
the State Constitution, which was pre-
sided over by one Of the Anaconda's
most subservient henchmen.
And the writ Of habeas corpus was
attempted to be suspended (see in re
ellis, 143 Pac., 947).
Again so late as June, 1886, in his
speech at the Commencement Exercises
of the Montana State College, Judge
Stewart eulogized the majority Of the
United States Supreme Court for their
standing in annulling remedial labor
legislation thereby placing property val
ues and rights before and above human
rights.
Do the workers and farmers of Mon
tana want a man with such a record
to represent them in the United States
Senate at Washington? The answer to
this question is and must be an EN-
phatic and unconditional MOI
If you are a farmer or a worker or
if you merely believe in the immunity
and liberty secured by the Bill Of Rights
do not endorse this man. If you do not
know the background and history Of
the various candidates, make inquiry Of
reliable sources before voting, don't
believe the kept press.
Eternal vigilance is the price of lib
erty." Be vigilant and be free.
E. K. DUNCAN.