The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1894-10-01
DEFENDING DEBS.
His Counsel Charges Pullman with the Re-
sponsibility of the Strike.


sponsibility of the Strike.
Chicago, September 28.-In an intensely
eloquent and dramatic speech, when helu
spell-bound a large crowd in the United
States courtroom this morning, Attorney
w. w. Erwin made the closing argument
for the defendants in the American Railway
Union cases. Mr.. Erwin said in part:
ION account of the feeling in this case.
I feel called upon to say something unus-
ual and not ordinarily permitted by judges
l want to say in plain words DeIore
plain people, that whatever the outcome
of the case, you have been fair. My col
league, Mr.. Gregory, struck the keynote OF
this matter when he said that the act OF
strike was one consistent with civil ana
religious liberty. | say there was no re-
dress from the Pullman horror, although
there are many who say otherwise what
could they do? Declare war? No. Break
the public peace? No. Then what may
they do? Anything that the God-giVen con-
science prompts them. That is the liberty
of this flag Isn't it a deplorable state OF
affairs that while the press rang out, while
the pulpits roared against the inlqulties al
Pullman no power in the law OF TINS coun-
try stepped forward to stop them? These
people were starving, yet not nag was
raised. not drum beat, not an officer of
this government stepped forward to raise
his hand in behalf of them. The French
revolution was cited here yesterday What
was the French revolution? 1t was an up
heaval by the finger of God to get refuge
from religious persecution This case VIII
not be viewed in the candle-liSht OF the
Milwaukee or the Santa Fe road, but under
yonder sun-Gods lamp. This case is the
beginning of suits, our friends on the other
side tell us. To US it is the end OF defensive
suits.
CrucihxiOn Of Labor.
II have now said all l wanted to. So far
as | am concerned | am willing to leave
this case to your own plain decision. 1
would rather leave~Et to you to decide than
to decide it myself II you should deem it
wise to decide against these men. it would
be more like a crucfiXion of the cause OF
labor against capital rather than a pun
ishment of these defendants. This Is no
time to indulge in diatribes against the
general managers, but they are here-these
monsters are here in Chicago. Pullman
set his foot on the neck OF the poor and
the general managers allied themselves
with him. If the law does not do it, God
will give these people Justice; lie will pun
ish the general managers"
Edwin l.. Walker ar6se to make the
closing argument for the government and
the final one in the case. He said he would
attempt to prove to the court before ne
finished his argument that the American
Railway Union was nothing more than u
huge trust, organized for that purpose
and therefore, it came upde- Inc sherman
antitrust act of 1890 In regard to Mr.
Erwin's intimation that cars had been set
on fire at the instance of the general man
ayers. Mr.. Walker said the whole matter
had been investigated By a grand jury.
and no witness had been brought forward
to prove the truth of the charges. Mr..
Walker continued:
The Administration Approves.
1.-THE learned counsel who preceded me
NJ Ghn no an.
pointed to prosecute the general managers
/ will say that if you VIII get one APP
pointed, l will be the first TO endorse him..
The special counsel for the government
then went into the law in the case, replying
to arguments made for the defendants. Mr.
Gregory interrupted him to ask If the
president approved these proceedings. Mr..
Walker answered:
1.-THE administration fully approves all
the proceedings now being token in Chicago
to make these defendants obey the law"
MIR. Walker confined himself to an argu-
ment on the evidence and the facts rather
than to a rhetorical demand for the punish
ment of the defendants He said he could
see no logic in Mr.. Erwin's speech, and
that nobody had ever denied the right of
men to strike, whether descended from
Jehovah or obtained otherwise.
They VIII Arbitrate.
Massillon, o., September 2S.-At O'Clock
ers and operators of the Massillon district
adopted resolutions declaring their willing
ness TO place the questions at issue in the
hands of a local arbitration committee, TO
be selected in the ordinary manner, and to
resume work in the mines at once penang
the result Of the arbitration. Everybody is
jubilant over the settlement of the strike,
which has lasted five months
The main question at issue is deneren-
tial scale of Is cents per ton, which, up to
last May was allowed to the Massilon min
ers on account of the thinness of the veins
and the difficulty of mining. This dineren-
tial was abolished by the operators last
spring. and a strike resulted. Most OF
the Massillon strikers are Americans. They
are industrious and thrifty, and own their
own homes
Indictments Against Strikers.
st. Cloud, Mimi, September %.-lndict-
ments have been found against +. l.. Bord-
rea, L. p. Foster, w. r. Brohan, Lloyd
and Harry Egbert and George Amo, all of
this city, for taking part in the Great
Northern strike and hindering the passage
of the mail trains. George Amo and Harry
Egbert have left for parts unknown. Bro
han and IIOyd Febert were arrested and