The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1892-10-05
TREASON CHARGED
Against the Advisory Board Of the
Homestead Strikers.
Pennsylvania-Bai Fixed at $4,000
In Each Case-The Maximum Sem
tence for the Crime is Twelve
Years In the Penltentiary.

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 8.-When the news
reached Homestead that the charge OF
treason had been brought against the
advisory committee, 1t shocked the peo-
pie. The locked out men were puzzled
and declared they did not know what
1t meant They were unanimous in the
belief that the charges had gone too far,
saying that charge of treason reflected
upon their standing as American citi-
zens and against their patriotism. AL
together it was roundly denounced 1t
was believed by the men that the OBJ
ject Of arrests is to get leaders out OF
the way so that others will go to work.
w. j. Brennan, attorney for the de-
PENDANTS, was not greatly surprised at
the charge, though he had no thought
Of any charge against his clients being
made before the supreme court u
don't believe that the charge will ever
be sustained" said Mr.. Brennan, "be-
cause there was no element Of treason
in the acts Of the men. There must be
a general purpose to destroy and resist
all rightful and legal authority The
single act Of an individual, or Of mob
Of men in a case like we have had at
Homestead is described by the laws OF
state as riot and as the acts Of mob.
II was wrong for the strikers to pre-
vent men from entering the works at
Homestead, and it was wrong for them
to enter them, and nobody on earth re-
grets 1t now as much as they do. These
were acts committed in the heat OF ex-
oitment and were intended to prevent
disorder Of a more serious nature.
Probably some of the acts alleged, II
committed, were simply expedients re-
sorted to, that advantage might be
gained in the strike, but treason, or a
plot to overthrow the government, as
alleged, was farthest from their
thoughts am very free to state upon
the information l have received about
the proceedings that the men will never
be convicted on the charge. They are
just as loyal citizens as are In ALLIE
gheny county, but have passions like
all human beings and under great
provocation will fight"
'This will be the first case Of treason
ever tried in the state of Pennsylvania"
said P. c. Knox, attorney for the Car
negie Steel Company. sin fact there
was never anything exactly similar
The only case coming near It was the
proceedings growing out of the French
commune. This case will attract as
much, II not more interest than did the
famous trial of Aaron Burr. We are
bringing these proceedings TO SEQ
whether the laws of Pennsylvania or
the edicts OF the Homestead advisory
committee are to rule this common
wealth. The committee took the law
In their own hands, ignoring the gov
ernment OF the state. We think this
constitutes treason. The charge is
grave one, and comes before q full
bench OF the supreme court Of Pennsyl-
vania. The maximum sentence man
can receive for treason is twelve years
in the penitentiary. The cases may
come up Immediately or 1t may be some
time before they are heard. II the
prisoners demand hearing they will
get II at once. The crime Is bailable,
the amount of the bond being fixed by
Chief Justict Paxson.
"Since early in August this treason
charge has been pending. When the
Homesteaders were arrested for con-
spiracy, the attorneys wanted to follow
II with charge Of treason. To this
Chairman Frick objected and the idea
was dropped for a while. About a
month ago IL was decided TO proceed
with the treason charge and have it
ready TO spring as a grand finale.
Every movement of the company and
its attorneys in this matter has been Of
the most secret nature. The bill was
printed in the dead Of night and every
thing to keep 1t from the public ear was
done. Until Judge Paxson issued his
warrants Friday afternoon but few had
heard OF it. 1t is safe TO say that this
move was not even thought Of by the
Homestead strikerA"
"Homesteads striking steel workers
have prepared to fght the last move of
the Carnegie Steel Company to the Bit
ter end" So remarked a prominent
citizen Of Homestead TO reporter Sat
urday night His expression was
prompted by personal knowledge Of
what is going on in the ranks Of the
locked out men. The steel workers
have secured the services OF the well
known criminal lawyers, Thomas NJ.
Marshall, William J. Reardon and Maj.
Z. A. Montooth 10 assist MessrA Cox
and Brennan in their defense. This
trio Of legal heayyweights were en-
gagged Saturday evening and will begin
work In the interests Of the defendants.
Chief Justice Paxson Saturday after
noon fixed the bail for the mon charged
with treason ut $4,000 In each case.
Attorneys Brennan and Coz, represent
lag the accused men, then proceeded 10
Judge Kennedy, who IL presiding over
the court Of oyer and tsrminer. VIII
liam Baird aud John Dierken were the
only ones with bondsmen handy and
they were brought before the court
Baird's bondsmen were accepted but
Dierken's were not and the latter was
remanded back 10 jail The informa-
tions will go before the grand jury and
when true bills are returned will be
ready 10 come up for trial Attorney
Brennan said that all the men could
waive the preliminary hearing.
A slandorer Tarred and FsatheredL s.o