Federal court, far removed from the disturbed and corrupt atmosphere of Colorado, that his cause would be sure to meet with ignominious defeat.
The governor decided it was high time for him to beat a retreat ; and with a haste that almost amounted to trepidation, he wired Capt. Wells that martial law was revoked in San Miguel County, and that President Moyer should be turned over to the civil authorities without delay.
In turning President Moyer over to the civil authorities. Governor Peabody repeated the Victor Poole maneuver. He escaped the ordeal of going before the United States Court. The hasty action of Governor Peabody in revoking martial law the instant he discovered that the victim of his hatred was about to get a fair and impartial hearing is proof conclusive, first; that his proclamation placing San Miguel County under martial law was simply a subterfuge to work the miners injury; and second, that the governor was well aware that his treatment of President Moyer was utterly illegal.