Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1892-10-11
CHIEF JUSTICE PAXSON,
OF THE SUPREME COURT OF
Pennsylvania,


PrTrsBuRo, PA, Oct. 10.-The UNI
usual spectacle OF the chief justice Of
the supreme court Of the state sitting
as Judge in court Of oyer and ter
MINER on account OF the state, was wit
messed by large crowd In the criminal
court this morning, when Justice Pax
sou charged the grand jury as 10 what
constitutes treason against the state in
the cases against tho Homestead
strikers advisory committee.
After detailing the causes leading up
TO the Homestead strike, Justice Pax
son said
"Ihe mutual right Of parties TO con-
tract in regard TO wages and the char
hcter Of employment, whether by the
piece or by the day, whether for ten
years or less, is fixed as any other
right which we enjoy under the con-
stitution and laws OF this state. 1t is q
right which belongs 10 every citizen,
laborer or capitalist, and IL Is a plain
duty Of tho state TO protect him In the
enjoyment OF it."
ut is alleged that the advisory com
mittee did more than 20 induced others
not accept employment from the com
pany, that IL allowed no person TO enter
the mills Of the Carnegie steal company
and even permitted no strangers TO
enter the town OF Homestead without
its consent; that IL arranged the Or
ganizatiOn Of military companies OF
three divisions with commanders, cap
tains, etc, the captains 10 report TO the
division commanders and the latter 10
report 10 the advisory committee"
He then detailed how the authority
Of the sheriff had been deded, the ar
rival Of the Pinkertons, and the riot
following and finally calling the troops
adding:
1--WE can have some sympathy with
a mob driven TO desperation by hunger,
as in the days OF the French revolution,
but we have none for men receiving
exceptionally high wages, in resisting
the law and resorting to
violence and bloodshed IN
the assertion OF an imaginary
rights and entailing such vast expense
upon Taxpayers OF the country. II was
not cry for bread to feed Vanishing
lips, resulting in the sudden outrage
with good provocation; 1t was
deliberate attempt by the
men, without authority, TO con.
troll others in tho enjoyment of Their
rights. The mon had u right to quit
work and persuade others TO join them
but the moment they attempted 10 CON
troll the works and resorted TO violence
they placed themselves outside the pale
OF law. II we were to concede
TO the doctrine that an employe
may deictate 10 his employer
the terms Of his employment and upor
the refusal OF the latter TO accede 70
them TO take possession OF his prop
.s.A I..ss l.g
are willing 10 work he would have an
archy. No business could be conducted
upon such basis; that doctrine wher
once countenanced would be extended
TO every industry
The Justice then defined as treason
the organization OF large numbers Of
mon, In common purpose, to defy tho
law, 10 resist the officers and deprive
any portion OF their fellow citizens o.
their rights under the constitution and
laws. IL is a state Of war. said he
when q business plant has to be sur
rounded by an army Of state troops x
protect IL from unlawful violence at the
hands Of former employees.
Every member, such as asserted by
the government, whether IL DO an ad
yisory committee or by whatever name
10 is called, who participated In such
usurpation, who Joined in the com
mon purpose Of resistance u
law and denial Of rights u
other citizens, has committed treason
against the state. In this offense II 4
the design OF the government of the
state that such intention need not ex
tend 10 every portion Of its territory
IL is sufficient II IL be the overturui nl
Of 1t in that particular locality ant
such intent may be in
ferred from the acts committed
II you find from evidence that the de
PENDANTS have committed, or any o
them participated and aided In any 0
the acts which define TO you as con
stituting the ofieuse Of treason, It will
he yoursworn duty 70 find true bill
against the party or partles so offend
ing. We have reached tho point In
the history Of the state where there ART
but two roads for Us 70 pursue, one
Loads TO order and good government
and the other leads TO anarchy. One
great question which concerns the
people Of this country Is the enforce
ment Of law aud tue preservation o.
/