Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1877-09-19
THE R1oTous sqRIKERs.
REMARKS OF JUDGE M'KESSAN IN PASS
Ina JUDGMENT. 81.

THE RI0TOUS STRIKERS.
REMARKS OF JUDGE M'KENSAN IN PASS
ina JUDGMENT.
The hearing in the case Of the riot.
crs on the Lehigh and Susquehanna
Railroad was concluded before Judge
M'Kennan, in the United States Court
at Pittsburgh, on the 7th inst. In the
course of his remarks Judge M'Kcn-
nSn said =
g Ii 81 y 10 ~ ~ ~ :.
-SANNaSsa1rSserar1Usse,
case WHICH dehisiiIus f'a.lFi'i cS.'
| remarked before, these men had q
perfect right to do as they pleased in
continuing or discontinuing their rcla.
tions with the receiver, in whose en-
ployment they were. They might
work or they might refuse to work ;
but when they made up their minds to
stop work they could not undertake to
control the actions of the receiver, nor
could they undertake to determine
whether Others who were in the om.
ploymcnt of the receiver should pursue
their avocations or not. They must
have known, and could not help but
have known, that they had no right to
control the exercise Of the rights OF
others. They may refuse to work
themselves, but they have no right to
say that other people shall not work.
And il is the duty Of Courts, therefore,
to instruct people disposed to com
nit these aggressions that they cannot
do it. And although il is painful to
mo to be compelled to subject not only
these men themselves to suffering, but
others who are dependent upon them,
yet that suffering is the consequence
of the wiliu misconduct OF those who
chose to set themselves in defiance OF
the law of the land That they must
bring sorrow, and perhaps suffering,
upon those who are connected with
them, is matter they ought to take
into consideration when they embark
in thing of this kind.
any first purpose was TO impose the
most exemplary punishment upon the
person who should be clearly proven
to have been guilty of the charge that
is preferred here. In view of the con.
ditiono Of things throughout the country
| suppose that might be necessary in
order to show it was the purpose of tho
Courts to maintain the supremacy Of
the law and the rights of American
frcemen at any sacrifice and to the ex-
tent of imposing the most exemplary
punishment. But upon reflection |
have thought the necessary impression
may bc made upon these men and the
necessary warning given to others by
mild punishment, and have concluded
to impose an extremely mild punish.
ment in view of the gravity Of the
ofiense."
The rioters were then sentenced to
pay fines from 500 to $500 each and to
undergo a short term of Imprisonment.
In the case of the prisoners who
were engaged in mob at Solomons
Gap, stopping train on its way to
Wilkesbare, Judge MKcnnan said
"These young men are all adjudged
guilty Of contempt, and ] will order
them to pay the costs Of this proceed
ing and let them 60, in consideration
of the fact that they are all young
men, and most Of them bave manifested
their regret for the wrongs they did I;
but they must understand they did a
very serious wrong, and if they repeat
unlawful conduct Of this kind, they
will find the law can be administered
with as much sternness as | am dis
posed to exhibit leniency now. want
these young men to understand l have
disposed Of their cases in this way not
because do not think in legal sense
their conduct is highly culpable, but
because they are young men, and be-
cause ] hope the appropriate object Of
punishment will be efiectuated in this
case that they will not repeat an
offense of this kind, and that others
who may be disposed to do il will un-
derstand that they will not be dealt
with otherwise than with severity, un-
less there are the same mitigating cir
cumstanccs. | hope they will have
nothing more 10 do with these Broth
erhoods, that are managed nowadays
so as to accomplish nothing but evil,
and involve young mon in very un-
pleasant predicaments."