The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-07-10
A cARDFROM MR.. PAGE.


we have received from Mr.. Charles L.
Page. commemorative Attorney for
Manchester, the following communica-
ton:
Editor of The Dlspatch
Dear Sir,-Will you permit me, touch'
Ing the shooting OF Luther Taylor py
the soldiery in Manchester on SATURDAY
night last, to suggest that a judicial
Investigation of this sad affair no"
pending before the coroner or the CITY,
and to ask, IL. in view of this TACT, II
would not be more seemly, and more con-
sistent with the purposes or ends OF pun
lie Justice to withhold newspaper COM
ment meanwhile.
rho nnblic has been treated to labored
editorials, they have even been favored
with glimpses of the views OF lnuiviuua
reporters In the news columns; anu the
morning before the Investigation rs ap-
pointed TO begin, they are treated 10
labored Dried of four columns on the sun
1ect and, in addition. to an "Able onih-
ION on the same subject, and the power
of military in general from Colonel
George Wayne Anderson, the command
ing officer of the military-al framed
with the evident purpose of maintain
Ing the iustihab ility of the shooting
while a letter from some citizen OF Man
chester, some days ago. undertaking sim
NV to give the "other side" of the case,
has been chara cterized by your evening
contemporary as absurd
OF the article or Colonel Anderson. spe-
cially. would say. that he is the COM
mander OF the military, the acts of some
Of whose subordinates is now under In
vestgation; that he and they, as declared
by, our fundamental law, are IN all cases
'in strict subordinahon to and governed
by the civil power; and that TINS
brief statement of constitutional I'D
erty is sufficient certainly to show the
neutrality-suspicious. and grave, | should
term it-of his airing his opinions as the
military commander In the face OF tie
courts on the eve of a judicial Inquiry
into the act OF some of his subordnates.
And generally of his act. and the ef-
forts of the newspapers, l would ask,
Why such a labored and persistent effort
to enforce upon the public mind the JUS
tifiability of the shooting referred to?
The public are not trying this case The
matter Is now. I repeat, In charge OF the
judicial branch Of the government, and
an inquiry already on foot to ascertain
who did the act, and whether or not
1t was unlawful. This investigation, it
is fair to presume. will be conducted With
Justice to all concerned or affected. Ger
tainly, however, newspaper editorials or
comment of other sort from irresponsible
third parties cannot help and may per-
vert. Can any one, then, be hurt by
Withholding 1t?
1t is not my purpose to discuss or to
to even intimate an opinion on the merits
of the particular case I feel that | have
no right. If had the disposition, to argue
the matter through the columns Of
newspaper. But do feel. and assert. that
the public have the right to have this.
and all other cases of violations or alleged
violations Of the law, tried by the courts
and not by newspapers or by military
commanders.
Very respectfully,
CHAs. L. PAGE,
Attorney for Commonwealth. city OF Man
chester.
Manchester, July 9th.
It is the rule OF this paper to abstain
from any criticism of case which Is
pending in the courts, and very rarely,
indeed. have we departed from the rule.
In this instance we have departed SO far
only as to publish some opinions s to
the military law bearing upon the subject
In general. and as applicable to the Man
chester case In particular. We have done
this in part to mollify the feeling against
the soldier who did the shooting. that he
might have a fair trial, and again to let.
the general public understand what mar
tial law means. and how dangerous 1t Is
to defy it.
AS we said In concluding yesterdays
editorial article: Persons In this com
munity who are disposed to resist the
military and defy their orders. should
read the opinion of the Supreme Court OF
Pennsylvania and govern themselves ac-
cordingly