The record-union., 1897-10-20
LOOKS BLUE FOR WORDEA.
THE TRAIN-WRECKER DESERT
ED BY HIS COMRADES.
Nobody to Appear Before the Fed
eraI Supreme Court for
Him.
1s z Post October 1ath.0

Is F. Post. October 19th)
The fate Of Salter D. Worden, the
train-urecker. now under sentence OF
death. is practically sealed.
He has been deserted by the friends
from whom ne had every right TO ex-
peet assistance, and their inaction has
50 hammered the efforts of those who
would stln aid him that they are un-
able 80 accomplish anything in his be-
half
Although the case of the condemned
man is row on appeal before the United
States Supreme Court, IT is practically
settled that he viii have no attorney to
present what even Attorney-GeneraI
Fitzgerald is forced to admit is a de-
batable question.
What has been left undone by the Ia
Dor organizations that have been work
ing ia his behalf must now be carried
on by Worden's relatives or left un-
done. As they have already exhausted
nearly all of their means in trying to
save his life, it is highly improbable
that they will be able to aid him.
Eugene V. Debs, the support Of whose
principles placed Worden in the shad-
ow Of the gallows, has generously con-
tributed his sympathy and the informa-
ton that the Social Democracy has no
money to spare in his cause.
When Worden, Harry Knox and three
other members of the American Rail
way Union were arrested on charge Of
murder for wrecking a train and kill
ing Eve men near Sacramento during
the memorable strike of July, 1894,
Rev. w. S. Worden, a brother Of the
prisoner, came to his assistance de-
frayed the expenses of the trial which
resulted in his conviction, as well as
the appeal to the Supreme Court of
this State In August, 1896, the judg-
ment Of the lower court was confirmed
and Worden was sentenced to death.
Governor Budd had promised the La
Dor Council Of San Francisco to re-
prieve him for a time so that the facts
of his case might be properly presented
with a petition for a Communication of
sentence. It has been stated that the
Governor before the last election,
promised Harry Knox personally tha.
he would never permit NSorGen to be
hanged, and thus secured the support
of several labor organizations. After
the election a petition numerously
sented to him by the Labor Council,
but the Governor refused to do more
than grant a reprieve to Juns 4, 1897.
In June last, a few days before the
date fixed for the execution, one of the
Governors political friends told Knox
to go to Sacramento, see the Governor
and the whole matter could be arranged
so that Worden's sentence would be
M e ~.
American Railway Union had raised
some money for Worden's defense and,
drawing on that literally, Knox took
his family on pleasure trip to Sacra-
mento. and made his headquarters at
the Governors Office. When he returned
a few days later it was with the in
formation that the Governor had re-
fused to interfere and Worden must
hang.
Then Knox put in demand on
Treasurer George G. Crosby for reim-
bursement for the time he had wasted
on Worden, and payment was indig-
nantly refused. From that time he lost
all interest in the case of the miserable
tool under sentence of death for carry
ing out the orders of the officers Of
the A. f. L.
Governor Budd had not only refused
to commute Worden's sentence. but
urged his immediate execution in spite
of the application made to the United
States Court four days before the date
fixed for the execution, but Attorney
General Fitzgerald's opinion as to the
effect CT the application differed from
that Of the Governor and the execution
was stayed In order that he might be
executed as expeditiously as possible
after a final determination, the Gov
ernor has continued to reprieve him
from time to time, so that there will
not be any delay in sentencing him,
course he has not pursued in the
Durrant case. Worden's execution is
now fixed for November 10Th next, and
If his case is not decided by that time
he will probably be reprived again.
In June last the services of Attorney
G. w. Monteith were secured by the
members Of the A r. q. who sill
hoped to save Worden, and the re-
mainder of the money raised for his
defense which had not been frfttered
away went to defray the expenses OF
the legal proceedings in the United
States courts. Knox and others agreed
to raise 81 800, the amount necessary
TO carry the case through the United
States Supreme Court. but not a. cent
have they contributed since that time
When the local members of the A. r
u. deserted Worden the Labor Council
which owed him nothing and from
which he had expected nothing, gen
erously came to his assistance so far
as possible, but hampered by the mas
terry lnaction of Knox it was able to
raise only about $3.50, which was bare
~ enough to defray the legal expenses
OF prosecuting the appeal without al
lowing any sum for Worden's attorney
There the case stands, The appeal
has been perfected and comes UP fol-