The morning call., 1894-12-15

ohspuScy In restraint OF Interstate commerce,
III violation of ibe act of July q 1890. and that
"'emoerS OF that association and all others who
Joih' q In the movement became criminaly re.
SpohSiole each for the act OF others done In fur.
therance OF common purpose. whether in
tended by him or not.
The officers became responsible for the acts
OF men and officers. The actual conspiracy
against the use OF the Pullman cars became
conspiracy against transportation and travel
Dy the railroad Upon their own authority,
without consulting local unions. defendants
converted The boycott into a strike. and, with
The aid or followers, some OF whom stopped at
no means between drawing the couplings and
undermining bridge, whereby men could be
hurled 10 death, they pushed the strike TO the
conditions which prevailed when the interven.
ton OF the court was asked and which, in the
end compelled the employment of The military
force 10 re-establish peace and start again the
activities of commerce.
Much has been said, but without proof, OF
the wrongs OF the wOrkmen al Pullman; of an
alliance between the Pullman Company and
the railway managers 10 depresS wages, and
generally of corporate oppression, but il is evl-
dent these things, whatever the facts might
have been proved or imagined TO be, could FUR
nish neither justification nor palliation for
giving up The city TO disorder and for paralyzing
the Industries and commerce of the country.
The decision of Judge Caldwell has been re-
ferred 10. But while that recognized the right
OF employees 10 quit the service OF receivers it
contained no warrant for inumdating or abus.
ing those willing to take employment or for
otherwise interfering directly. as The defend
ants and followers did, with the management
and the operation of the road.
The finding OF the court Is that defendants
are guilty OF conIempt, but any punishment in
fcted would not be cumulative; in other words
there were Two cases before the court-one for
contempt and the other for violation of the
Federal statutes. The latter cause Is merged
into the former
Attorney Darrow, representing defend
ants, asked that his clients might retire
for consultation regarding what they
should say, and after a brief recess the
strike leaders fled back into court and
ranged themselves before the bench. At
torney Darrow, speaking for them, said
they had no wish to make separate
speeches. but felt they had done no
wrong. The attorney advised the court
that Director MacVesn. one of the de-
PENDANTS, was out of the city during the
strike. A lengthy argument between the
attorneys followed over the proposition to
discriminate in McVean's favor, which
'AAU SOAl1 bO1 luIuhbca ny euSp6uuiuR bU6
sentence oD Mac Vean.
In sentencing the other defendants
Judge Woods sad "The punishment
shall be neither vindictlve nor trivial.
The men were in wiIlful contempt, under
what legal advice 1 should like very much
TO know. These men were leaders in a
great measure as law breakers, and are re-
sponsble as leaders. The ignorant men
who followed them have been punished.
Debs IS more responsible than anv other,
He is man of marked ability aud power
over men. | feel constrained to discrimi-
nate between him and others. The pun
ishment against all defendants, except
Debs. is three months in jail, and against
Debs. six months.
Defendants did not appear parti culary
crushed by the punishment. Debs bowed
his tall, gaunt form and whispered few
words to his sister, whe sat near. and they
both laughed heartily. Howard and Hogan
exchanged smiling glsnces and Krliher
graSped his attorneys hand and app cared
to offer congratulations. 1t was evidentall
expected much more severe sentences.
Debs drew his people to one side and i1-
structed them to say nothing for publica
tion, setting them an example by refusing
to discuss tue case at all.
After tie murmur of excitement ovar
the sentence had subsided the court an
nounced that tie punishment was mot In
take effect for ten days. In which time the
defendants attorneys will prepare an an.
peal. The prospective prisoners, after a
short consultation with their ATTORNEYS
left the courtroom.
The defendants and their Official posi-
ti0ns in the A. r. U. are: President Debs.
Vice-President Howard, Secretary Keli-
her, Treasurer Rodgers, and Directors
Burns, Elliott, McVean. Hogan and
Goodwin.
DENVER. Colo, Dec. 14-Prestdent
Gompers said. regarding the decision of
Judge Woods in the DeDs case: 81 think
it is contemptible for any Judge to take
from citizen Of the United States the
right of trial by jury. If Debs is guilty
of any criminal act jury of his peers
should be allowed 20 say so. j dennunce
the action of any Judge who shows him
self so eager to do the bidding of cor
poration."
Regarding the decision Patrick Nc
Bride, secretary of the United Mine
workers, said: 81 think the decision is an
outrage, | do not believe the In ntention of
the law under W which the Injunction was
issued was to include labor organizations.
There has been no decision by the Su-
preme Court on the ma ter. 1t seems to
me that the court should have RENTED
the penalty. Instead of that it has
strained the law to reach the decision and
iuflicts severe punishment upon the first
man tried for its violation"
John K. O'Sullivan of Boston said: 81
have expected this decision. 1t now only
for us to see that the case goes to
the highest tribunal"
A. B. McCraith of the Typographical
Union, Boston. said: II think the meth
DDS of the people in power are tending to-
ward revolution"
Hon. David Holmes Of London declined
to express an opinion upon the Debs matter
and John Burns is visiting Colorado
Springs.
Thomas j. Morgan of Chicago said
''Ihe decision, aside from its Immediate
effect upon Mr.. Debs, is good thing for
tho labor movement. 1t shows what NAV
be expected from the Legislatures and
courts that are cOntrolIad by the cani,al