St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-04-24
WILLMAR YESTERDAY
10 Change in the Sentiment
Of the Strikers,
BUT THEY ARE THINKING
Relative to Phases Of the Law
Which Have Been Quoted.
MEANTIME QUIET REiGHS.
TIME QUIET RElGAS.
Marshal Bede Leaves Today
to Make More Arrests.
THE SITUATION ELSEWHERE.

Marshal Bede's party returned yes
terday from Willmar, leaving three
deputies subject to order. After the
meeting Sunday afternoon it was de-
termlned by the strikers to take counsel
before proceeding further in the moles-
ta;ion of passenger trains. According
ly, there was no interference with the
men who were making up the trains.
The strikers stood around and good
naturedly guyed the yardmaster and
assistant superintendent as they labored
with brakes which had been hard-set.
One of them good-naturedly set his
shoulder against the other end of a
loaded car which half dozen deputies
were helping Assistant Superintendent
Wakeman move, but it was for a mo-
ment only. lr the act. however, the
feeling of every man on the strike was
expressed. They would like to stop
every car. 1t is not true that their dis
position has changed. 1t is true that
they are thinking,
Many know that the movement of the
mail trains cannot be obstructed; that
ignorance Of the law is no justification:
that 200 men at Willmar are liable to ar
rest for Obstructing the mail; that they
are liable for contempt of court on ac-
count of interfering with interstate
commerce; and the provision of the law
relating 10 conspiracy. as stated by
Acting Attorney General Maxwell, is a
revelation to them.
The Debs statement was so strong
that 1t set them to thinking. I'VE can't
get around that" was an expression
heard on every hand. "A mail train is
construed to mean the train in its en-
tirety as usually made up. Under no
circumstances interfere with the move
ment of mail trainS." flashed the mes
sage from Debs.
Ths attorney general said: sit has
been decided by the courts that it is an
offense for any person knowingly and
Willingly to obstruct to retard the pas
sage of train carrying the mail, and it
is no excuse that such person is willing
that the mail car may be detached and
run separately. He is bound to permit
the mail to be carried in the usual and
ordinary way, such as is contemplated
by the act of congress and directed by
the postmaster general.
AS the compensation is based on the
fact that the mail can be carried in con-
necti0n with the passenger and express
business the contract becomes an eie-
ment, and any act that defeats the
carrying of the mails under that con-
tract, when wIlfully and knowingly
committed. is a violation OF the law and
subjects to Imprisonment.
The further provision of the law re-
lating to conSpiracles, like that relating
to The interruption of interstate COM
merce, had not been taken into consid-
Grafton. They were dumfounded when
they realized, as they now do, that they
arc at least liable to arrest. and to be
obliged to endure a long, tedious and
expensive trial on the charge of con-
splracy.
The law. as stated by the attorney
general, is: "If two or more persons
conspire to commit an offense against
the United States, and one or more of
such parties do any act to affect the OBJ,
conspiracy shall be liable to penalty of
not less than 1000 fine and not more
than $4,000. and to Imprisonment not
more than two years."
The arrest of Foster and others on
this charge shows them that it is wise to
stop and consider, for every man who
has participated in the interruption of
mi n 70 nnIurnaToa aud tba uooiIc I,
be arrested Oh this charge as we'll as on
the other two.
1t was to lake counsel on these points
that the strikers desisted. Noone cues.
tions their right to quit work singly, in
pairs, in blocks of five, or in body, but
if they cannot block the business by
preventing other men from working, OF
by stopping business OH the road, they
feel that they have no redress and
might as we'll take their medicine, aud
before proceeding it is best to take
counsel.
his was the situation at WiIImar
yesterday, and doubtless is the situa.
ton at other points on the line. Anxiety
will necessarily be intensified by ar.
rests which have been made and are
about to be made. The marshal will
leave this morning with warrants fol
the arrest of several of the strike lead
ers who have been instrumental in
stopping the mails and through passen
ger and freight trains. Twelve or more
arrests are to be made at Willmar.
though the number might be increased
to 200. Arrests re-also to be made at
breckenridge and other points.
There has been no injury to property.
aid unless the men become frenzled by
the arrests there will be none But to
(e.bel against the laws of the United
ktates would be to enter upon a war.
fare as hopeless as that of John Brown
at Harper's Ferry. AS Marshal Bede
told them at Willmar: ELEVEN states
resisted the authority of the United
States and remained at war for foul
years, but they thought better OF it and
resigned at Appomattox." He assured
them that the marshalS came without
arms TO enforce the orders of the court
under laws made for their protection as
well as for the protection of capital; but
If they could not enforce the law the
regular troops would be called to their
assistance, but not until their manhood
their patriotism and their sense of jus
tice should be appealed to in vain. Blu,
troops would come if necessary; the law
would be enforced; interstate commerce
and the mails must not be lnterfered
with.