The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1897-08-28
Then and Now.

There was a certain plank in the
last Democratic platform which
sounded a solemn warning to work
ingmen. In many sections of the
country the attention of thoughtful
men had been attracted to an evil
which had been stealthily growing
until it had become menace to the
very foundations of free institutions.
This was the use of the injunc-
ton, legal remedy which had been
employed from time immcmorial. At
first it had been used in moderation
but the latter day judges had been
extending its scope until it became
all powerful. Men were, under its
provisions, arrested and thrown into
prison arbitrarily. They were de-
MED the right of trial by jury, a
right guaranteed by the constitu-
ton. No matter how innocent the
accused might be, no matter how
easily he might establish his inno-
cence if given the chance, he was ut
terly helpless. This condition of
affairs called for a remedy. The
Democratic party, always the friend
of the masses, the protector Of our
free institutions and the bulwark Of
the peoples libertyofered to the voter
a plank embodying its opposition to
this evil. The plank was as follows:
"We denounee arbitrary interference
by Federal authorities in local af
fairs as violation of the constitu-
ton of the United States, and a
crime against free institutions,
AND WE ESPECIALLY OBJECT TO GOV
EMINENT BY INJUNCTION AS A NEW AND
HIGHLY DANGEROUS FORM OF opPREs-
SION by which Federal judges, in
contempt of the laws of states and
rights of citizens become at once leg
islators, judges and executioners,
and we approve the bill passed at
the last session of the United States
Senate, and now pending in the
House of Representatives, relative
to contempt in Federal Courts and
providing for trials by jury in GER
tain cases of contempt" This plank
was most bitterly assailed. Its
trainers were denounced as anar-
chists and its defenders were sub
jeeted TO the bitterest denunciation.
1t proved to be, through its real in
tent being misunderstood, a source
of weakness, not of strength. The
result of the conflict is history and
history which is not particularly
comforting to Democrats. Among
the voters who passed adversely on
this platform none were more solid
ly arrayed than the coal miners of
West Virginia. They are now reap
ing the result of their folly. Now
they are tasting the bitter draught
against which their real friends had
warned them. Several injunctions
have grown out of the strikes now
going on. These injunctions have
been the most sweeping, stringent,
uncalled for and exasperating ever
issued They were without justifi-
cation except that given by the OPP
orators greed and arrogance. They
have been denounced by such
staunch Republican papers as the
Tribune and others equally rock
ribbed in unmeasured terms. They
not only enjoined the men from acts
of violence but enjoined them from
congregating on the roads leading to
the mines. Not only were the agita-
tors enjoined"but others to the plain
tiffs unknown" Not only were they
forbidden to counsel strikes but they
were commanded to go about their
business. Nothing further could be
incorporated into such document.
1t stands, not only monument to
the shame of Judge Jackson VINO is
sued it but it marks point in our
progress to an awful social reyolu-
ton if The present tendency of
things is not checked. 1t denies ev-
erything guaranteed by the constitu-
ton. Free speech, the right of peace
able assembly, of lawful petition for
the redress of wrongs all are denied.
The men who voted so enthusiast
tically for this very condition of af-
fairs now have their wishes graft
fed. How well they are satisfied
the new election will reveal. That
the verdict will be unanimously re-
versed there is but little doubt.
The contention Of the opponents to
the growing abuse Of the injunction
evil has been established. Their
course has been indicated. The
stern logic of events has done this
and it will do more.
What Half Gallon of Liquor Cost.
The half gallon of liquor that
Merritt Long purchased, over which