 Sheriff Robertson declared that the governor had exceeded his authority.Mass meetings and demonstrations opposed the decision.p.94 More than two thousand signatures were collected on petitions protesting the action.p.207

The CCMOA, the Cripple Creek Citizens' Alliance, and other employers' associations supported the action.p.94 The goal of the employers' organizations was not just ending the strike, but terminating the influence of the union.The CCMOA announced plans to sweep the WFM from the district.p.27 Peabody facilitated that goal in his orders to Sherman Bell, which directed the National Guard to assume the responsibilities of the local sheriff and civil officials.