The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-09-08
LAWYER ERWIN sPoUrs.
He Makes an Impassioned Appeal il
the Contempt Cases.

He Makes an Impessioned Appeal in
the Contempt Cases.
Chicago, Sept. Z-Just before court ad-
,ourned for the day in the American
Railway Union contempt cases Attorney
" W Erwin, on behalf of the defense.
made an imprisoned speech, Directing
10 the introduction of testimony show
ing mob violence on the ground it
would tend to create a public sentiment
against the defendants, and that this
public sentiment might influence the
court to strain point and punish them
because of a public outCry. The court,
in reply, assumed all the responsibility.
MIR. Erwin's plea came as a dramatic
climax in day of sensations
An attempt was made by counsel for
the government to compel the defendants
10 produce their documents. records.
kilograms and private correspondence.
Attorney Erwin, as soon as he learned of
this intention, asked the court TO rule on
the question of the defendants being com
PEELED to obey such a subpoena. Judge
Woods said he was inclined to think the
defendants need not produce their private
documents, but decided to hear from the
prosecution next Tuesday.
Several witnesses testified to the in
terruption of traffic and intimidation
To all such testimony the defense en-
tered an objection on the ground that the
officers and directors of the American
Railway Union were not responsible for
the acts of the mobs. Erwin created a
mild sensation by Obecting TO the
testimony of the first witness, +. L. Krie-
gle of Milwaukee, on the ground that he
might be one of the men indicted by a
grand jury for some otfense during the
strike. 81 understand - said Mr. Erwin,
that a number of men who have been in
dicted have been subpGnaed to testify in
this case. This man may be one of them"
The witness assured the court that he
not been indicted, and was allowed to
proceed. The court ruled, however, that
men who were indicted might be put on
the stand, but could not be compelled to
give testimony in eliminating themselves.
Among those who will testify
are James Hogan and W E. Burns,
both defendants in this case Mr.
Hogan will also be called. The
government, however, expects to spring
one of it greatest cards in the witness, L.
P. Benedict, Debs' private secretary,
who has been subpRnaed. Mr.. Benedict
signed many of the kilograms sent
over the name of "E. V. Debs." The
government expects to prove by this wit
ness that Debs sent at least some of the
kilograms which have been read Bene-
dict is not under indictment.
Kreiger testified that he had seen tel
egram from Debs, dated July 4, asking
the switch tenders to strike. Only ten
of them did so. Kreiger was much con-
fused on cross examination. He acknowl-
edged he had been sent TO Chi
cago as a witness by the
Chicago, Minneapolis and st. Paul rail
road. The defense showed fight from
the time Kreiger took the
stand till he left it. They OBJ,
jected to every question asked
him, and then after he had testified,
moved to have all of his testimony stricken
out. The motions were all overruled.
William Macav, an engineer of Milwau-
kee, and Charles E. Mills, a fireman from
the same place, both of the Chicago, Mil
waukee and ST. Paul railroad, testified that
they had left their trains at the
instance of the strikers who 'intim-
idated them Mr.. Mills was not a mem
Der of the American Railway Union on
leaving his engine. but was made to join
Immediately after. He swore that he
was forced into it.
J. r. Trimmer, a trainmaster on the
Pan Handle road testified as to the re-
moval from Chicago of certain train
load of dead animals for the taking away
of which Debs issued an official order to
those under his control Erwin objected
to 0the testimony, stating 1t showed no
contempt of court, and had nothing to do
with inters cate commerce.
Judge Woods nevertheless, allowed
the testimony to continue on the ground
he did not know what might be brought
forth.
w. / Henry testified in regard to re-
Ceiving certain kilograms signed E. V.
Debs asking him to tie up the Big Four
road system. Nj. Henry told the officers
of the American Railway Union his road
had no grievance and refused to call out
his men.
At the beginning of the afternoon SEES
sion H. E. Sarber of Garrett, Ind, an en-
ploye of the Baltimore and Ohio, told
about receiving telegram signed Z. V.
Debs, which requested him to work
among the men on that road with view
to having them strike.
Henry Swan Rock Island fireman,
testified in regard TO the receptions of the
reading of the federal injUnctions at Blue
Island by the strikers and other resi-
read, but jeered all the time and booted
at Marshal Arnold and Deputy Allen
who read 1t, One man yelled, TO he'll
with the United States government. Tt
hell with the United States courts"
Il saw men dubbed into insensibility
and pounded beyond recognition by strik
ersn Another witness said he saw the
Injunction notice pulled down, cursed anc
torn in pieces.
Attorney Erwin again interrupted the
proceedings at this iuncture to protest
against this line of testimony. He said il
part
This has proceeded to such an extreme
extent without the first particle of testi
mony, and while it is wise on the part o
your honor to rely on counsel TO connec
these things, il does seem TO me that IN thu
interest of the public. stop should be pu
TO this thing now until they do connect it
for they have proved enough, if they d.
connect US, to damn US. call the atten
ton of the court and the public to this be
cause l am sure they can never connec
these defendants with one Of thes
things"
cprAnES a sENJaA -TOI