The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-03-11

1t must now be fairly understood even
by those who do not seek to understand
our language or its laws that the hum
blest citizen or resident of the common
wealth must be protected in his inalien-
able right to employ or to be employed as
he may choose for himself, and that he
who attempts. by intimidation or coercion
involving violence, to interfere with
that right becomes himself answer
able to the law for his crime and
must be punished If brought into a court
where justice is judicially administered
The lesson of this verdict in the Latti-
mer case is not that the rich are to be-
protected, but that the poor and defense
less shall have absolute guarantee of all
their individual rights, and that those
who attempt to impair them by lawless.
ness must answer to the law as criminals
The verdict is important to ALL but
above all it IL important to those whose
labor is their sole dependence for liveli.
hood, and whose homes and families and
individual rights are to he protected by
placing every citizen or resident, high or
low, rich or poor, on the broad basis Of
absolute independence in their employ
ment regardless of the interests or orders
of others. 1t is the law that the poor
need. and it's declaration in the solemn
verdict in the Lattirner case Is most
timely, and must be strongly effective in
giving to citizen and alien who depend
unon their labor for their bread, the en-
joyrent of all the inalienable rights of
American citizens.-Philadelph Times.
1t can never be truthfully alleged that
this trial was not fairly and mpartially
conducted. Every particle of evidence
presented by the prosecution that could
properly be admitted was allowed to go
tn the jury. The prosecution was repre-
sented by able counsel who availed them
selves of every advantage within their
reach. They made out as strong a case
as was possible under the circumstances,
but Were unable to convince either the
jury or the great unprejudiced public that
Sheriff Martin and his deputies had COM
mitted a wanton crime for which they
should be punished, and the verdict of the
jury will therefore command the ap-
proval of right-minded and thoughtful
men. The verdict will not be without
a wholesome effect and may be, indi-
rectly, the means of restraining law
lessness and preventing bloodshed in
the future 1t teaches the needed les
son that there is civil power that
must be obeyed and respected. Wilkes
Barre Record.
The events in the Hazleton region,
eliminating in the Lattimer tragedy,
were practically a continuous series of
riotous demonstrations. as appears
from the evidence at the Martin trial
If the sheriff of the vcnage had neg
lected to notice the lawless proceedings,
which were daily terrorizing the commun-
ity and giving pause to peaceful indus
try, he would have been strangely neg
lectful of his duty. There was only one
way to stop the riotous demonstrations
and to end the reign of terror, and that
was by the exercise of the most vigorous
authority. The Wilkes Barre Jury say,
by their well considered verdict, that
Sheriff Martin and his deputies did no
more than they We're lawfully authorized
TO do at Lattimer. The right to labor is
protected by the outcome of this trial,
and much has been gained for the cause
of law and order.-Philadelphi Ledger.
o
By peace loving citizens and true Amer
leans this verdict will be approved with
out reservation, 1t is an assurance that
the sanctity of the home will be respect
ed that the safety of citizens is regarded
as paramount, and that riot. disorder,
rapine and fro octure OF the body polite no
matter how cunningly perpetrated, will
be repudiated, and the mandates of a
good government will be honored, yes
maintained at all hazards. s.-liazleton Sem
tinel.
Opinions differ on the verdict but all
are talking the matter over philosophic-
ally and feel that the law should take its
course, and If the prosecution is dissatis-
fled with the verdict in this case the re-
naming indictments will afford the op-
portunity to bring out any additional evil