The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-01-31

DEFEAT CALLS REsOLUTTON/
The resolution which Senator Call is
pressing IN the Senate for an investi-
cation of the act Of Judge Woods IN
committing Eugene Debs TO jail for
contempt Of court Is a case OF mis-
directed energy. The power of courts
Of equity to fine and imDriaon for dis
obedience OF their orders and
DEGREES IS just as essential 20
the peace AMI order Of society
as a well-reeulatod police force is to the
order OF Richmond city. A court Of
equity would Toe powerless TO administer
the law and secure justice If IL We're
deprived Of tho power 10 punish contempt
Of its authority Without tho power,
the court would bc an object OF ridicule.
The law. therefore under which Judge
Woods committed Debs TO jail is one
that should not be interfered with i'm any
way whatever. The court over which
Woods presided had jurisdiction TO hear
and determine the cause in which Debs
was committed All men. from the
President Of the United States down
10 the lowest beggar in the streets. wero
bound to obey it's orders in that cause.
Debs violated its orders, and Dehs was.
therefore. TO be punished by immison-
incnt for a contempt Of court These
principles lie at the very foundation Of
all social order. If they are not respect
I,f
comes no more than confused anarchy.
We suspect that Mr.. Gail has faint
appreciation OF the truth Of all OF TINS ana
that he is really trying to accomplish
an undisciosod object. in ignorance OF
the fact that he is tugslng away at the
cornerstone Of social order. Populst
Allen said. when Call last laid his reso-
hutton before the Senate. that United
States Judge Woods. who committed
Debs TO jaii, had gone upon the bench
with a stain upon his appointment. and
had been given the place as reward for
political trickery. We suspect that "A
notion of this sort is in some way con
nec;ad with the incentive at work in MIR.
Calls mind.
But, if that be true. his motion should
be one for an investigation of Judge
Woods. with view TO impeachlng him
and turning him out of his office. il ne
should be found TO abuse the functions
and power of his office. There should
be no movement that sQuintcd at inter
fering with the courts in compelling all
men to obey their orders ana DEGREES lit
orally ana in good faith. If Judge
Woods abused mis- authority and com
mitted Dcbs 10 jail TO crafty some inn
proper impulse. and not 10 compel obedi-
ence to the law, then Judge Woods should
necessary powers Of the courts are not
TO be abridged because an unworthy
man happens TO secure the place of a
Judge and prostitutes his office. That
man is TO be punished. but the machinery
by which the law compels all men 10
respect ana obey It is to he left in per-
feet working order. and well oiled also.
We know nothing about this judge
Woods. All that Allen says Of him
may be true. or all that is alleged against
him may amount to no more than one
of the customary cases of par
tisans blackening the character
OF vigorous partisans opposed to
them. We feel perfectly satisfied
however, that there was nothing TO cen
sure in his committing Debs 10 Jail for
contempt OF court. Debs was melting
mob TO destroy property that Judge
Woods court had lawfully taken charge
Of and was under an obligation to The
law 10 protect. Does was wilfully SETTING
at defiance the lawful orders of that court
and ne was clearly therefore. making
himself liable under the law. 20 punish |
ment for contempt Of court.
There Is nothing in this case TO he in
vcs'iga;ed. and for the resolution TO he
entertained would bo simply to encourage
Deos TO break the law again