The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-15
DEBS GIVEN SIX MONTHS
THE A. X. O.. PRESIDENT FOUND
GUILTY OF CONTEMPT.
In a Lengthy Dscision Judge Woods Dis
poses of the Celebrated Case-A New
Precedsnt.

Dtbs was found guilty Of contempt by
Judge Woods and vas sentenced to six
months Imprisonment, and the rest OF
the defendants to three months IN JAIL
with the exception OF Mcvein. VINO has
not been sentenced yet
The contempt for which the defendants
were arraigned was violation Of the in
junction issued on July "a, BY Judges
Woods and Grosscup, which forbade all
men 10 Interfere with trains I'm any way
whatsoever. 1t YVES claimed by the
United States District Attorney that Debs
and other officers and directors OF
the American Railway Union re-
peatedly violated this order Of the
court by issuing directions to their
lieutenants all over the country TO
call out men, and advising Gripping Of
the complete railroad system OF the
United States if possible.
The defence made was that Debs and
his assistants had a right TO order strikes
and TO continue the conduct of their side
Of the fight against the railroads.
The question whether or not the court
had jurisdiction, was a fresh discussion,
and was decided in the affirmative. The
difference between a nuisance and per-
pistur Ga particular form Of public nuis
the courts had a right 10 intervene whore
irreparable damage might result before
the tardiness Of the law could remedy
matters.
SHERMAN ANT1-TRUsT LAW.
Judge Woods refused 10 decide whether
he had jurisdiction under the Interstate
commerce law hnd took up the sherman
antitrust law, under which the action
against Debs was chiefly based. One
Of the sections of this law makes IL an
offence to restrain commerce in any way.
The Judge decided that the United States
Court had full jurisdiction under this
act to punish all such offenders as dlrec-
tors Of the a. r. L., making Il precedent
thereby.
The sentence Is not cumulative, cover
ing Vhe cases Of the Government and the
Santa Fe railroad against the men. The
same sentence SIS imposed in each case,
but both sentences begin and end at the
same time, December 9th. The defend
ants are
Il. V. Debs. president; G. W. Howard
vice-president; Sylvester Kelliher, secre-
tary: l.. W. Rogers, VI. j. Elliott, James
Hogan, William Burns, j. y. McNean,
Leroy NJ. Goodwin.
The sentence Is generally considered a
light one. The case viii be appealed.
In speaking of the decision Attorney
Darrow, who represented the defendants,
said
"The decision is bad law. but the SEN
terce is remarkably lenient"
N.Ce-Presidont Howard said he was pre-
pared 10 expect anything.
President Debs was more cast down
than any OF the others.
It was in the discretion Of the Court
TO sentence the men 20 any term Of years
ne chose within constitutional limits, and
to impose any fine he thought fit.
CONDUCT OF THE MEN.
Judge Woods held that II the officers Of
a rival company had tried by various
means TO interfere with the movements
of Pullman cars. there would be no ques-
tion that they were guilty Of a gross con-
spiracy. Why then, should there be any
difference because the men who conduct
ed the conspiracy were poor men, em-
ployes of railroads. what the conduct
of these men was is the question to be
decided here" said the Court.
"Did they change their conduct after
receiving this Injunction, or did they
continue 10 carry on the strike? l think
there ie no doubt but defendants had the
power TO make the men who looked mp
10 them do as they pleased, and that
they continued TO violate this injunction.
| believe the defendants deprecated any
extreme violence, but do not think they
opposed such acts as stopping trains
throwing switches or intlmidatlng work
men"
Mr.. Debs' utterances not to commit
violence were doubted by the Court. lie
did not believe they were sincere. By
Mr.. Debs' admission, he was out among
the men urging them TO join the strike
after this injunction was Issued. Mr.
Howard did the same. They both had
committed no violence, but advised mat
Pullman cars be stopped at all hazards.
All the outrageS committed at Blue Is
land, said the Judge, after ;he speeches
Of Debs and Howard were directly at
tributable TO these people, and they are
responsible for them. The Court then re-
viewed the mass of telegrams IN which
Mr. Debs ordered men out, and declared
these were utterly at variance with the
statement made in Dehs' answer that
he took no part I'm continuing the strike
After thus concluding that there was no
doubt that the men. as individuals, were
guilty, Judge Woods said:
IT WAS 4 CONSPIRACY.
but the point under the sherman law
ie whether these men were in d cOnSplra-
cv. If they were, ! believe there IS no
way by which they can escape the moral
and legal responsibility for their acts lie
then gave 1t as his opinion that they
were and that therefore all the men al
lied with them were also guilty
MY conclusion" said Judge Woods
"is that the injunction was right. Mr..
Debs is more responsible than anybody
else. He is man Of marked ability.
and Of strong character, and the leader Of
these men. 1t was in his power by mere
" lifting his voice TO stop all these dis
turbances | shall therefore discriminate
between him and the rest Of the defend
ants. | Will give MIR. Dehs six months IN
the county Jail and the rest three
months. This sentence 10 take effect ten
days from now"
Counsel for the convicted men are con-
hdent they can secure an appeal, al
though appeals in such cases are rare.
Their utterances forecast proceedings
by habeas corpus and carrying the case |
10 the Sunreme Count of the United |