The Labor enquirer., 1886-11-27
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bance the value o diminish the discom-
forts of labor. In the same way manu-
facturers have the right to combine for
their interests. Such are the rights of
both parties, and they grow out Of the
principle that everv man has the right
to work or refuse to work for whom and
with whom he pleases. and everv man.
ufacturer may employ any labor he
chooses. These rights afford no license
to either party to force employment or
discharge persons. The right of la
borer to choose his employment is no
more established than the right OF the
manufacturer to buy or use any material
be may see BIT. Such being heir vested
legal rights, any interference of either
party with the rights of the other by
forcisle means, is unlawful. and II two
or more persons combine for any such
purpose they may be found guilty of
conspiracy.
aWhen we speak of force, we mean
forcing or coercing by either physical or
moral means. With the merits, rights
or wrongs of the controversy between
Harrington, Emery and. the Knights of
Labor, you have nothing to do. The
question is whether the defendants con-
spired to do the acts alleged in the in
dictment, with the purpose alleged. Ii
the acts were done the character, ten
dency and results afford significant evil
dence. Upon the question Of OKeefe's
eomplicity with McGeough. the jury
must consider the character of the asso-
oiation of tie two men. The parties al
legged to be cooperating must have full
knowledge OF, the design and method OF
accomplishment and each must play
part in carving out the design. 70 op-
Grafton must be more than sympathy
and approval. It must be cooperation
of counsel, support and assistance. Two
men NAV combine to carry out design,
one doing all the acting. UNITY OF pur-
pose, interest and action are the essen
tials of conspiracy. 1t is lot necessary
that the thing should DO done by these
! Iersons; the fact that the thing was
partly done, or not done at all, is no evil
dence that there was no conspiracy.
"The defendant can draw no legal
power from the Knights Of Labor as an
association. If you find conspiracy as
alleged you must find if it was done
with intent to iniure. If the defendants
knew that tie effect of their words
would coerce Emery and cause the with
drawal of the men in his employ, they
consplred TO iujure Emery and Harring-
ton and may be found guilty. On the
other hand, if the defendants only came
for the purpose of finding out how much
leather Emery had, and communicate
the knowledge to the local board, the
facts do not support the allegation of the
indictment. If the defendants treated
with Floyd SIS agent of Emery, the effect
of the action will be the same.
Now Mr.. Foreman and gentlemen,
have only to add that your functions
would be mlsdirected did you try to de-
termine the merits of the controversy
between these parties. You are simply
to find whether conspiracy is proved"
1t will be seen that the judge charged
in favor of tue plaintiffs, but at the same
time so explained the duty of juries in
the matter of facts that charge of con-
spiracy could scarcely be sustained. A
consp1racv, accord ng to Judge Brig
ham, is unlawful but bovcott may be
done in legal manner; hence the re-
turn of the jury, the same day, stating
that they could not agree, and their I'M
mediate discharge bv the chief justice
was not surprise. In plain words,
Judge Brigham establishes the right of
laborers to combine to enhance the
value or diminish the dlscomforts of
labor"
The end of the great trial and the
practical acquittal of the accused
Knights was received by hundreds of as
sem blies throughout the State of Massa-
chusetts with the greatest amount Of Sat
isfaction, and Judge Brigham and Gene
raj Butler were equal sharers in the
honors of the fight. The outcome is a
boom for organized labor and its good
results are already noticeable, as re-
newed interest has been awakened in
the order attacked and its old and tried
members have pledged afresh allegiance
to their districts, and everybody-on
our side, at least-is happy. Aud so
ended the greatest trial Massachusetts,
has listened to for twenty years.
BRIEFLErs.
There is growing fear among the
Knights of Lynn, Massachusetts, that a
lockout is imminent, as the shoe and
leather associations have taken action
on 10 per cent reduction, and the re-
duced list is likely to be tackled up
within few days now, at the most. II
the list comes, as predicted, there will
be trouble sure.
The Lynn Lasters Protective union is
the LARGEST and richest labor union in
New England. They own an elegantly
furnished hall, billiard room contain
ing seven tables, lot of land which
cost them $4,000, and have just con,
tracted for $4,000 block and have
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