The more we do what in us lies to secure certain and swift justice in dealing with these cases, the more effectively do we work against the growth of that lynching spirit which is so full of evil omen for this people, because it seeks to avenge one infamous crime by the commission of another of equal infamy.
The application is denied and the sentence will be carried into effect.
(Signed) THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
One of the most curious incidents of lawlessness with which I had to deal affected an entire State.

The State of Nevada in the year 1907 was gradually drifting into utter governmental impotence and downright anarchy.

The people were at heart all right; but the forces of evil had been permitted to get the upper hand, and for the time being the decent citizens had become helpless to assert themselves either by controlling the greedy corporations on the one hand or repressing the murderous violence of certain lawless labor organizations on the other hand.

The Governor of the State was a Democrat and a Southern man, and in the abstract a strong believer in the doctrine of State's Rights.

But his experience finally convinced him that he could obtain order only through the intervention of the National Government; and then he went over too far and wished to have the National Government do his police work for him.