Workmen's advocate. (New Haven, Conn.) 1883-1891, 1886-10-10
LAW LESS CENSORS.
POLICE INTERFERENCE WITH
FREE SPEECH.
Kansas City This Time A Judges
Opini0n-Thc Arrest of Work.
men -Incitimg to Riot.
The Only Redress.
Self Help.

From various points, especially IN
the West, there have come complaints
of the inclination Of the police au-
thoritics to set themselves up as ccn-
sors over the uttrranccs Of WOrkmcn
who dare dcnouncc the system of
government which fosters crime ON
a gigantic scale against the working
people. The latest outrage against
free speech is reported from Kansas
City, where only the forbcarancc Of
the people prevented another "riot. "
Two weeks ago the workngmcn
of Kansas City held a meeting at the
market square, and were addressed
by Walter Nrooman, editor Of the
Labor OrgaUi.er of that city, After
he had spoken, and another speaker
named Pike had mounted the ros-
trum, n stalwart policeman tapped
him on the shoulder and led him
ont Of the crowd and to the police
station. 1t was done very quietly,
and in such n manner that very few
witnessed it, but the news spread
through the crowd that the speaker
had been arrested, and half the en-
tire throng hastcncd in front Of the
police station, some Of them very
much excited, and trying to force
their way in where the prisoner was
led.
There was considerable loud talk
and excited argument the discus
sion was growing heated, and the
crowd was growing larger and more
noisy, when out came Nr0Oman. lie
hurried up to the speakers stand,
notified Pike that the police sergeant
had commanded that the meeting be
ended. He then announced to the
crowd that they were prohibited by
the authorities from holding any
more Sunday meetings on the city
square that the goody-good "bettcr'
class Of people could hold all the re-
ligious meetings they desired and
discuss rs long as they wished how
to obtain happiness after their funcr-
ais had taken place, but the com
mon, low down, good-fornothlng
Iaboring people were not allowed to
discuss how they could obtain Justice
while yet in this world.
After the tremendous and contn-
nous shouting on the part of the
multitude had subsidized, a young
man (whosc name is unknown J
jumped upon the platform, straight
ened up and said, in laundering
tones II am an American work
man | am mechanic, and shy
that we will have Sunday meetings
here, if we 50 desire, whether or not
the police say otherwise :" The APP
plause and shouts that followed could
be heard all over the city, and proved
very effectively the temper of those
present. Then policeman caught
hold of the mans leg and began to
pull him down, when a dozen by
standers yelled "I)on't handle him
quite so roughly,' after which the
policeman was more careful, but
the man was forced to discontinue.
Judge Cooley, in his work on
"'Torts, speaking (p. 1867 of rene
dies for the invasion of political
rights, says: "Whcn IA meeting for
any lawful purpose is actually called
and held, one who goes there with
thc purpose to disturb and break it
up, and commits disorder to that
end, Is a trcspts9scr upon The rights
of those, who. for the time, have
control Of the place Of meeting. If
several unite in the disorder, it may
be IA criminal riot.
Notwithstanding this judicial
opinion and the plain guaranty of
the constitution, workingmcn are
wantonly bounded and insultcd by
the hirelings of the ruling class.
The police are made the judges Of
what constitutes ''incendiary Ian
guage," and they serve their masters