The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-07
THE LAW HAS BEEN VINDl-
GATED.

r..
the country for the manner in which the
situation here has been handled since
rioting began. AS soon as the authorities
satisfied themselves that they We're not
able to control the lawless element they
asked for troops, and Us soon as the
Governor was requested to send troops
he ordered out whole regiment.
There was, Of course, no interference
In the strike. The Passenger and Power
Company and the strikers were left to set
lie their differences between themselves
and no pressure of government was
brought to bear upon either side. But the
authorities insisted that the property OF
the Passenger and Power Company
should be protected, that the men whom
1t had employed to operate Its cars
should be protected, and that no sort Of
disorder would be tolerated The city
uuieted down almost Immediately, and
although the strikers have refused to re-
turn to work. and although many peo-
pie are refusing to patronize the cars,
the cars are being run with the new men
without Interference, and the city has re-
turned to It's normal condition Of peace
and good order.
Now comes Judge Samuel B, Witt, OF
the Hastings Court. with ringing charge
to the grand jury against riot and the
boycott Judge Witt says that the re-.
cent occurrences In the city have been
disgraceful to the last degree. and that
we are brought squarely face to face with
the question. "Shall the lawbreakers and
law dehers control our city, or shall 1t
be governed by the laws OF the land?"
He gives warning that there are no ac-
cessories IN riots but that all are prlnci-
pals. "When a man sees others engaged
In acts OF violnce, joins in and assists
them" says he. "he is as much amenable
ms II he had originally assembled for the
purpose, and whoever encourages or pro-
cures or takes. part In riot either by
words gestures, incendiary, speeches. ex-
nibition of firearms. or in conduct OF any
kind whatsoever tending to countenance
or assist the rioters is guilty. Thus II
murder Is committed by one. all are
guilty of murder. If n dwelling house Is
Injured or serious injury Is done to the
person of another, all are liable to con-
Hnement in the penitentiary."
In speaking of the boycott he says that
The law as laid down by the Court OF
Appeals IS in effect that every attempt
by force. threat or intimidation to deter
Or control an employer In the determine
Won of what persons he will employ, what
wages ne will pay, or what rules Of bust.
hess he Will adopt, is an unlawful act, and
All combinations for such purposes are
unlawful. and the parties thereto are
liable to criminal prosecution. "In short"
ne adds, every com animation of individuals
made for the purpose OF wanton or unpro-
goked Interference with the business OF
another person is unlawful and VIII be
punished and restrained by the criminal
Jaw as being ruinous of the business OF
The community and destructive OF the
peace ard good order OF society. IT is
enough if the persons combine together
to injure the business OF another Nc
pvert act is necessary TO be committed
The combination for the unlawful purpose
Is the crime
Richmond Is fortunate to have suci
fearles judge, judge who knows thu
law, who knows his duty and who hat
the courage TO discharge it. He has giyei
fair warning TO all persons who would
engage In riot or who would resort to tn,
aoSco,t as means Of carrying their pur
pose,
All w-abiding citizens In the com
munity are proud OF the State and cit,
authorities for the courageous stan,
they have taken in behalf of law an,
order, and proud Of this noble and coura
geous charge of Judge Witt, There hav
been disgraceful scenes In Richmond
ycenes which have amazed and huniliate
all good and patriotic citizens. but Their
are laWlesa men In every community an
1t is gratifying and encouraging and re
assuring 10 know that the officers OF tn
Jaw have asserted themselves and vind
Gated the law. and that they are uphel
and sustained by the overwhelming sent
nent OF the Richmond public. We doul
II SO serious a situation has been handle