The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1894-09-12
THE DEBS TRIAL.
The Contempt Cases on Trial In
the United States Court.
Kilograms Sent by Debs During the Great
Strike Produced and Read by West
eRn Union OGioial-Important
Objections Sustained by
the Court

the OourH
CHICAGO, Sept. 6.-The contempt
cases against Eugene v. Debs, George
W. Howard and others, directors of the
American Railway union, came up In
the United States circuit court yester-
day morning, before Judge Woods. The
defendants are accused Of violating the
injunction issued by Judges Woods and
Grosscup during the recent strike,
which restrained the American Rail-
way union and all others from any In
reference with the mails or with inter
state commerce.
/ All of the defendants fled answers in
which they denied specifically the
charges preferred. Over 100 witnesses
I have been summoned by the govern
ment and the array of legal talent on
both sides Is brilliant one.
Various legal points were raised, but
Judge Woods declined to listen toquib-
bling. He said: "The essence of all
these cases is whether the defendants
have violated an injunction issued by
the United States court. That is the
important point in this case"
| The court decided that all Of the
cases against the various defendants
should be tried as one and the cases OF
the Santa Fe should go along with
those of tho government and witnesses
for one be considered as witnesses for
both.
The first witness called was Edwin
NJ, milford, manager of the Western
Union company. He was asked to pro-
duce certain kilograms in court, but re-
fused to do so until the court ruled on
it. The court ruled that they must be
produced. The witness said only two
Of the messages were signed by Debs.
CHICAGO, Sept. Edwin Mulford
and his stack of kilograms consumed
the entire time yesterday morning and
afternoon. Most Of the kilograms read
were familiar to the public, but some OF
them were not included in the original
information. Tho following is fair
sample OF those offered in evidence: TO
r. r. Eldredge, Leadville, Col: Do not
be frightened by injunctions, arrests or
troops. have got house full ofthem.
This is common all over. This fight is
now the money power and combined
monopoly to annihilate labor and en-
slave those dependent upon labor,
backed by injunctions, arrests and
troops. Children and childish men have
NO part in it. Only strong men and
broad minds can free labQ. You in
Colorado ought to understand what the
gold money power means and be will
ing to reject it even to starvation. In
functions and troops cannot operate the
road.
"There are not 'scabs' enough to fill
one-tenth of the vacancies. There are
fifty men quitting to every one return
ing. General situation never better
than to-day. One hundred trade unions
will strike for railroad men tomorrow.
VIII they not help themselves? News
boys have struck and boycotted the
subsidized press. Let none return to
work until the General Managers as
sociation agrees in writing to reinstate
every man the country over. Good men
will win this fight. E. v. Debs."
CHICAGO, Sept. s.-Just before court
adjourned for the day yesterday in the
A. R. U. contempt cases, Attorney W.
w. Erwin, on behalf of the defense
made an impassioned speech objectine
to the introduction of testimony show
ing mob violence, on the ground that II
would tend to create public sentiment
against the defendants and that this
public sentiment might influence the
court to strain point and punish then
because of public outcry. The court
in reply assumed all responsibility.
Mr.. Erwin's plea came as dramatic
climax in day of sensations. An at
tempt was made by counsel for the gov
ernment to compel the defendants tC
produce their documents, records, tele
grams and private correspondence. At
torney Erwin, as soon as he learned O.
this intention asked the court to rule
on the question Of the defendants being
compelled to obey such subpoena
Judge Woods said he was inclined Il
think the defendants need not produces
their private documents, but decided
to hear from the prosecution next Tues
day.
Several witnesses testified to the in
terruption of traffic and intimidation
To all such testimony the defense en-
tered an objection on the ground tina
the officers and directors of the A. R
U. were not responsible for the acts o
mobs.
]. f. Murphy, an engineer on tn
Michigan Central, told how his trail
had been stopped by mob at Kensing
ton. At this point Mr.. Erwin objecte,
vigorously, insisting on the govern
ment indicating how it was expected t
connect the acts Of mobs with those Q
the defendants Judge Woods allowe
the witness to proceed, taking tn
Z ground that this connection woul
: have to be proven or he would not cor
slider the testimony.
James H. Banta, an Illinois Contra
engineer, related how he was attacke
by strikers, and other trainmen CAV
similar testimony.
At this point Attorney Erwin agai