would lead to the truth being told about the fight against me, they came to a compromise in the case against Howland, which was merely to expel him from the legislature for perjury. He never was tried for perjury or conspiracy to ruin me and my court work, as was undoubtedly his plan.
And how stands the matter today? Let Lindsey tell it in
his own words:
During the war I was absolutely outlawed from every opportunity
to be of any patriotic service here by the privilege and special interest
crowd who control all patriotism, especially in the food and other
administrations. When I returned from France I was permitted to
speak for the Liberty Loan, but the chairman of the meeting told me
that one of Boss Evans' old tools had threatened to "read him out
of the Republican party" for daring to let me take part in that patriotic
celebration. Fourteen bills for the protection of women and children
were killed in the last legislature through the open statement of certain
members of the legislature who were tools of the Interests that:
"If Lindsey has anything to do with it, swat it." All this you will
understand is my heritage of hate because of the part my wife and I
took in that strike, and against big crooks generally when they have
time and again tried to rob our city. Since "The Beast and the Jungle"
stories, and my part in the Colorado coal-strike, it has been almost
impossible for me to speak before such assemblies as High Schools,
Woman's Clubs, Mothers' Congresses and the like. As one woman
said to me frankly. "Mrs. So-and-so's husband is a big contributor
to our club, and if we permitted you to appear on the program she
would be highly indignant and withdraw her support." I am sure you
will understand just exactly what the influence is, and how insidiously
it works.
As I read the page-proofs of this book, the great coal
strike comes, and the miners in the Southern Colorado field
are out again, and Federal troops are guarding the mines. But
this time it is not necessary for the Scandal Bureau and the
Associated Press to muzzle the strikers and their sympathizers.
This time the job has been done by the Federal court
injunction!
