Omaha daily bee., 1895-12-01

| ognized rules of law and justice and equity
you can not try me, that is all"
Mr.. Winspear reiterated his statement that
he would not open his mouth until the
stenographer went out.
The matter was discussed further and Mr..
Winspear left the room. There was another
round of talk and the accused absolutely re-
fused to stand trial unless the evidence was
taken in shorthand. The members of the
| executive board finally joined Winspear in
the inner room and after a consultation
reappeared and Redfield announced that each
Of the accused should have one counsel
and that the evidence would be taken by
stenographers and that the notes should be
the property of the executive board with the
accused having the privilege of having each
a copy under conditions. These conditions
were discussed for an hour or so and a
stipulation finally made that each Of the
accused should have a copy of the testimony
after taking a solemn obligation to use it
only for appealing from the decision Of the
executive committee.
That stipulation was agreeable to all the
members OF the board except Winspear. He
was running the show and after he got
the board into the inner room again he sent
Redfield out to announce that the board had
decided not to allow the presence OF a
stenographer, and Mr.. Miller also came out
and instructed Potter to destroy his short
hand notes. Charley refused to comply with
this order, else this story would never have
been written. The accused members with
drew and Potter wrote up his notes, from
which this statement Of the proceedings has
been taken and the accused members signed
1t and certified that II was a correct copy Of
the proceedings.
With the accused members out Of the way
the executive board went on with the trial
and on March IS, 1892, State Secretary EN-
mons reported to Council 5 that the accused
members had been found guilty as charged
by Winspear, and ordered them suspended
until the maptinP 0f the statp p0unpil Jnlpgs
each of the accused filed a letter of retrac-
tion and regret with the state secretary.
Tho board further passed a resolution
authorizing Winspear to take action against
Council 8 If that body refused to comply
with the order suspending the five mem
bers.
The accused members at once filed with
the state board a notice OF appeal from the
finding. The notice was in very plain Eng
lish and concluded as follows: "YOur pro-
ceedings were a travesty on justice, un-
american, most arrogant. dictatorial and in
deed oppressive, which by opposing we shall
end them once for all, appealing to the
candid, fair and just Judgment of our order
to the end that one-man power and star
chamber proceedings may once for all re-
ceiye such merited rebuke as will henceforth
teach and convince all men that the mem
bers Of this order are and remain free
American citizens Of equal dignity and
rights. united by principle and common aim,
and not by the lash Of temporary power. and
are not subject to the within and caprice of
malice or ignorance, though 1t be in high
place and authority, nor can they safely be
made subjects Of barter and sale" This
notice OF appeal was signed by Winter,
Covell and Currier.
The appeal to the supreme executive council
of the A. p. A. begins as follows: Through
one man came sin into the world. Through
one man, turmoil, dissension and evil without
end have come upon the A. p. A. In Nebraska
and Council No. 5 OF Omaha brings this her
memorial and appeal before your honorable
body and for herself and her loyal $50 mem
bers and on behalf especially OF certain five
whose sole crime has been that they
have faithfully discharged the duties imposed
upon them by us as a council. Council No. s
relates and shows to you the true inwardness
and correct account OF events transpirlng In
the A. p. A. In Nebraska which call for
your immediate attention. careful consideration
and best judgment and immediate action to
preserve the integrity OF our order In this
state"
The appeal then recites how on the action
OF Council No. 8 a committee had bsen APP
pointed which secured ample evidence that
Winspear had traflicked in votes Of the order
at the election Ia 1891, The joint conference
committee. REFERRED TO by the accused as "a
common center and handspring of Joint action
In Douglas county" was arbitrarily disbanded
by Winspsaf, who took possession OF it's rec
ord9 and suspended Houck. its chairman. He
withheld from Council No. 6 the new pass
word and the dlspensatlon 70 install Q new