Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-12-19

terest, listened to the reading of the de-
cision. With Judge Woods, Judge Jenk-
ms occupied the bench, and many promi-
nent attorneys were present to hear the
outcome Of the proceedings against the
leaders of the great railway strike of
last summer.
The finding of the court is that the de-
PENDANTS are guilty of contempt, but that
any punishment inflicted would not be
cumulative. In other words there were
two cases before the court, one for con-
tempt and the other for violation of the
federal statute. The latter clause is
merged into the former, and Judge Woods
sentenced Debs to six months in the
county jail. The others on trial were Civ
en- three months each, except MacVean,
who was released because there was no
evidence against him.
Judge Woods, after announcing that
the defendants were found guilty, said
it was not in accordance with procedure
in such cases to permit the defendants
to say why sentence should not be passed,
but in this case the court would allow it.
Attorney barrow, representing the de-
PENDANTS, asked that his clients might re-
tire for a consultation regarding what they
should say, and, after a brief recess, the
strike leaders filed back into court,
ranging themselves before the bench.
Attorney barrow, speaking for them,
make separate speeches, but felt that
they had done no wrong. The at
torney advised the court that Director
MacVean, one Of the defendants, was out
of the city during the strike. a lengthy
argument between attorneys followed over
Al. 10 70 n
Vean's favor, which the court terminated
by suspending sentence on McVean.
In sentencing the other defendants,
Judge Woods said punishment should be
neither vindictive nor trivial. These two
men were in willful contempt, under what
legal advise he should like very much to
know. These men were the leaders, in a
great measure, of lawbreakers, and were
responsible as leaders. Ignorant men
who followed them have been punished.
''Mr. Debs is more responsible than any
other" said the judge. He is man
I feel constrained to discriminate between
him and the others. The punishment
against all defendants, except Debs, is
three months in jail. and against Debs
six months"
The defendants did not appear particu-
larly crushed by the punishment. Debs
bowed his tall, gaunt form and whis-
pered few words to his sister, who sat
near, and they both laughed heartily.
Howard and Hogan exchanged smiling
chances and Keliher grasped his attor-
ney's hand and appeared to offer con-
gratulations. It was evident that all had
expected much more severe sentences
and all wore a look of relief. Debs drew
his people together and instructed them
to say nothing for publication, setting
them an example by refusing to discuss
the case at ALL After the murmur of eX-
element over the sentence had subsidized
the court announced that the punishment
was not to take effect for ten days, in
which time the defendants attorneys will
prepare an appeal The prospective pris-
oners, after short consultation with
their attorneys, left the court room. The
defendants with their official positions
in the American Railway union are:
President Debs, Vice-President Howard,
Secretary Keliher Treasurer Rogers and
Directors Burns, Elliott, MacVean, Ho-