The morning call., 1892-10-02
HELD FOR TREASON.
The Homestead Strikers Excited Over the
Charges Against Them.
The Aeeused Held in $l0,000 Bail, Which They
Are Unable to Furnish-FurthG
Arrests Probable.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

PITTsBuRe, Oct. 1.-The issuance OF war
rants against the Homestead strike leaders,
on the charge of treason, at the instance OF
Chief Justice Paxson yesterday, caused a
decided sensation not only among the
strikers, but also among their sympathIzers
here and at Homestead. This Is the first
time the charge of treason has been brought
in any State for acts arising from strike or
labor trouble.
The strikers are ready to laugh at any
charge of riot or murder brought against
them by the Carnegie Company, but when
the great State of Pennsylvania rakes the
matter up it is an entirely different thing.
The informations were lodged after long
consultations between all the members OF
the Supreme Court and the District Attor-
ney.
novel point in the case Is that the Chief
Justice will hear applications for bail be-
fore the cases 60 TO the Grand Jury, and
will call that body before him and deliver
special charge on treason. Should true
bills be found, an unprecedented thing will
occur: Chief Justice Paxson, as ex-oricio
Judge of the Court Of Oyer and Terminer.
will sit and try the cases.
The attorneys for the strikers declare the
proceedings are in the shape of prosecutions
of the defendants, assert that the charge OF
treason cannot be made to hold. aud hint
that the long contemplated suits for treason
against the Carnegies will now be pushed.
0Donneil, Critcnlow and Clifford are
now III Jail. making nine under arrest, 1t
Is expected more arrests Will be made to-
day.
Homestead is qnivering with excitement.
There is some talk Of taking baud and
flag, marching 10 Pittsnurg In boes' aad
applying for admission to the Jail. Under
all thara a ad op AL hiQh lia-
bic to take almost any unexpected turn.
This afternoon an informal discussion
was held by Chief Justice Paxson aud the
attorneys for both sides. Justice Paxsou
the sa@ eaeS
none of the defendants who are now In jail
have secured the necessary bonds.
Attorney Knox said the reason the cases
were begun In the Supreme Court was be-
cause it always has been the practice In
this ami other countries to begin suits for
treason in the highest courts. This was
done In view Of the gravity Of tue
offense. The highest executive authority
had been resisted and 1t is proper that the
highest judicial authority of the State
should first take eogDizance OF the offense.
w. j. Bremen, the attorney OF the Anal
gamated Association. characterized the ar
rests as the crowning outrage OF the great
Homestead affair.
"Why," said he, I'VE were just talking
about bringing a suit against the Carnegie
people for treason for bringing an armed
force into this community and attempting
to usurp the power Of the Government. the
municipality and the State"
The strikers at Carnegie's city mills and
the friends of their cause ara greatly exer-
cised to-day over the report OF the unex-
pected movement by the Carnegie frm
The Advisory Board. it is said. Is to be held
on charges Of conspiracy, treason, and as
many other bills as can be entered agsinstit
On Monday or Tuesday of next week
warrants will be served on the members OF
the board, and arrests will be made I'm medt-
ately so that the suits may proceed simu[
taneously with those at Homestead.
Superlntenden Dillon of the Thirty
third street mills acknowledged the truth
of the statement this afternoon.