The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-07-19
DEBS AND PARTY JAILED.
ARRESTED FOR CONTEMPT OF THE
UNITED STATES COURT.
They We're offered Bail In the Sum o
Three Thousand Dollars Each, but
Refused to Give, It-They
Are Posing as Martyrs.

CHICAGO, July 17.-Eugene V. Debs,
Howard, Rogers and Sylvester Kele-
her, officers of the American Railway
union, were committed to Jail today
by Judge Seaman in the United States
circuit court for alleged violation of
the injunction issued by Judges Wood
and Grosscup, The four leaders of
the strike in reality went to Jail in de-
fault of bail. The court offered them
their liberty until next Monday, when
they will have hearing on the charge
of conspiracy. Their bail will be fixed
at $4,000 each but the men refused to
give it and the court committed them.
Debs and his companions were taken
to Jail by Marshal Arnold and before
they left the court Judge Seaman in
struted the marshal TO take them out
of jail at any reasonable time in order
that they mighG have opportunity
to consult their attorneys. This
morning District Attorney Mil.
christ filed an information in court
charging the officers of the union with
violating the injunction and asked for
a writ OF attachment for contempt. 1t
was not necessary to issue writ for
Debs, for he was in court when the
information was filed.
The information was read to the
court by Attorney Milcnrist. When
Mr.. Milchrist had finished the reading
of the information Attorney Ct. Il.
Peck, representing the receivers of the
Santa Fe system, took the floor and
read petition for writs of attchments
against the defendants on behalf of
that road. The petition asked that
the defendants be punished for con-
tempt for violating the order appoint
ing the receivers as we'll for violating
the general injunction as it applies to
the Santa Fe. A number of acts of
violence were alleged and interference
with trains.
The formal proceedings began at 2
o'clock, when Attorney Irwin for the
defendants asked that they be released
on their personal recogniZance. Judge
Seaman finally decided to set the case
for next Monday and fixed bail at
$4,000 each. The four men made no
attempt to furnish bail and were COM
ulIIeu W jail uubll hNhudys LhO az
| toxneys for the defendants said their
clients could not secure bondsmen, but
Dehs did not corroborate that when
asked If he would give bail. He said
he would not give bail to the amount
of cents.
A telegram was produced in court
sent by Debs on July. 2 to North
Butte, Mont. 1t read:
General managers are weakening,
If the strike is not settled in 4S hours
complete paralysis will follow. Pota-
toes and ice are out of sight. Save
your money and buy gun"
| While seated in the Jail awaiting
the preparation of his cell, Debs said
"Well this means a few days rest at
least, | have not had much rest for
over a month and | am badly in need
of it. No sir, we shall not give bonds,
| Our bonds are $4,000 each but
we would not give bonds if they were
8 cents each. We are not posing as
martyrs, neither do we ask for SYM
pathy. All l have to say about our
arrest today is that matters have come
to that point in this free country
Mhen it is held to be crime to advise
a man what to do when he seeks your
advice. We are guilty of no crime
unless the simple expression OF an
opinion is crime. We are not re-
sponsible for this strike. Pullman is
responsible for it,"
The men are placed in the debtors
department of the Jail, Debs and
Howard being given "a cell and Kela-
her and Rogers one adjoining.