davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
PROFITABLE STRAWBERRY SEA
SON.

The season just closed is said to have
peen the best for strawberry growers
on record. According to the Carolina
Fruit and Truckers Journal the grow
efs Melted an average of two dollars
per crate, and 6OS,369 crates were
shipped from the East North Carolina
belt This would make the net re-
turns aggregate $1,216,73S. And all
this from an industry that was not
dreamed of twenty-five years ago. But
is enriching Eastern North Carolina,
but the growing of truck of all kinds
is quite as profitable and embraces a
larger area. Writing of the other
crops, the Journal adds:
Irish potatoes, beans, beets, turnips,
onions, huckleberries and dewberries
are now moving in good volume and
all selling at good prices. The pea
crop has been wound up and was
about an average crop with last sea-
son. The Irish potato crop in all this
territory is way above the average
in quality as we'll as volume and the
prices at this time are tip-top. North
Carolina white Chili's and Early Rose
are selling any where from $4.75 to
$G.75 per barrel in Baltimore, Phila-
delphia, New York, Pittsburg, Boston,
Buffalo, Washington and elsewhere.
The Charleston crop was also good as
was likewise the crop in the Savan-
nah section, although the latter was
considerably short of last year. Solid
train loads of potatoes and vegetables
of every kind, however, continue to go
forward each day, and for several
weeks to come these trains will move
regularly out of this territory. Verify
this is the garden spot of the world.
Before the potatoes and vegetables
stop moving cantaloupes and water
melons will be going forward, and the
stream of money flowing into this sec
ton and the business going from this
territory out to the Northern markets
will continue regularly from now until
the fall months. AS the lamented and
illustrious Gen. James Madison Leach
would say: my - Almighty, fell
low citizens, when the stars of the
East first sang together in the morn
ing, we are the people!"
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
Guilty of Arbitrary and Despotic Acts


Too much praise cannot be given
Editor Daniels and the Lumberton
LAWYERS for their successful resistance
to such unlawful and despotic usurpa-
ton of judicial power. They nave
won a victory in which all liberty
loving men are deeply interested, and
the beneficent results of which will in
ure to the better protection OF the m
alienable rights of every citizen. 1t
is therefore very natural, as emlnently
proper, that all good citizens rejoice
at their release and sympathize with
them in their resistance to judicial
tyranny. Mr.. Daniels could easily
have paid his fine, for thousands OF
dollars were gladly offered him. but
he firmly declined all such offers, and
determined to vindicate the freedom
of the press, even if he must go to
Jail.
1t has been suggested that by these
high handed acts of Judges Purnell
and PEBBLES the people have dimin-
ished their respect and confidence in
our judiciary. We think this is a mis-
take While many persons may lose
their respect for these two judges, yet
the respect for the judiciary in gem
eral has been increased by the prompt
and most proper action of Judges
Prithard, Connor, Walker and Doug
las. While particular judges may oc-
casionally become obnoxious and try
to be petty tyrantS, yet our judiciary
as a whole is the surest bulwark of
our liberties and is ever ready to pro-
tect the rights of the humblest.
Judge Purnell deserves all the censure
that has been bestowed on him. he
was guilty of two most arbitrary and
despotic acts. He not only sentenced
a man who had been guilty of no UNI
lawful act but he tyrannically refused
even to hear argument or any author
tiles cited to convince him that MIR.
Daniels was entitled to an appeal. Like
cowardly and vindictive tyrant he
gloated at the opportunity Gas he
thought of furnishing an editor who
had courageously exposed his dis
graceful acts He well knew that no
impartial judge would sustain him.
and of course he was unwilling to
have his sentence appealed FRONT
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
Complete Vindication Once and For.
ever.
Atlanta News.

Atlanta News.
The outcome of the case was watch
ed with the greatest DECREE of interest
Mr.. Daniels, who was q prominent
official under the Cleveland admins
tration and has taken q prominent
part in the Democratic counSelS of the
Tar Heel State, is known to be man
of lofty character and sound judg-
ment He is not the man to be found
lacking in that respect for the dignity
of the law which would really consti-
tute contempt. He simply exercised
the rights guaranteed him by the con-
stitution-rights which cannot be
lightly withheld.
The feeling was general throughout
the country that he should be upheld;
that his cause was the common cause
of every editor, indeed. of every citi-
zen, in this country. If the freedom
of the press was to be abridged by the
will of any individual, though he be
a united States court judge, the peo-
pie wanted to know it and they want
ed to know the reason why.
When the case came to trial yester-
day in Raleigh on the writ of habeas
corpus, Judge Pritchard lost no time
in releasing Mr.. Daniels. who has thus
won his fight, while at the same time
Chief Justice Fuller has dismissed the
receivers for the Atlantic and North
Carolina railroad, their appointment
having been the measure which the
editor took occasion to criticiSe.
This is a complete VindicatiOn of
Mr. Daniels. and once and forever, let
us hope, establishes the fact that the
liberty of the press is not to be light
ly invaded. Certainly the last place
in which to establish such a precedent
is in the State where the Mecklenburg
declaration sounded the first note of
American freedom.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
Love Him for the Enemies He has
Made.
Roanoke-Chowan Times.

ROanOKe-CnOWdn Times.
The press and people of North Car
DINA, and of the whole country, owe.
Mr.. Josephus Daniels, editor of the
News and Observer, a debt of graft
tude in successfully resenting the I'M
lawful attempt of a Federal Judge to
muZzle the press and stifie free speech.
AS told in our news columns last week
judge, whose personal animosity
was plainly evident, fined Mr.. Daniels
$4,000 for alleged contempt of court.
Mr.. Daniels positively refused to paw
cent, declaring he would rot in jail
first. Sympathetic friends raised the
amount of the fine fifteen times over,
but Mr.. Daniels said a great principle
was involved and declined the proffer-
ed help, remaining deprived of his lib
erty for several days. About this time
ex-senator Jeter C. Pritchard who
had made fine record as a Supreme
Court judge of the District of Column
b1a, qualified as United States Circuit
judge, came from Washington to Raj
eigh, heard the case, decided that Mr.
Daniels was unlawfuIly deprived of
his liberty and set him free without
paying cent of fine We always had a
high opinion of Judge Pritchard, and
this act of his has raised him in our
estimation. AS for Mr.. Daniels the
people love and honor him more for
what he suffered and for the enemies
he made in the receiverShip matter
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
Truth. Justice and Righteousness have
Established Themselves.
Windsor Ledger.

w
Mr.. Josephus Daniels has rendered
his State and profession great service.
He is indeed an able, upright ana poId
citizen. In the first place his private
character is above reproach ana there
fore he is not afraid to speak. That
gives him a power which cannot be
discounted. If he was debauched or
drunken, or dishonest, he would not
dare speak, but he would tickle ana
cringe. In his late tilt with Judge
Purnell he stood on his rights. one
word of apology and he would have
been discharged. But he did not
speak it.
He stood for his rights and gained
them. We honor him for it. The
press of the State owe him debt of
gratitude. He has broken the muzzle
of judicial Interpretation. The people
owe him a great debt of gratitude. He
has established the fact that they are
entitled to have a free discussion OF
all official conduct.
We have passed through a stormy
week but truth, justice and righteous
ness have established themselves.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
Judge Pritchard Will Be Sustained.


Judge Purnell had contended that
the sharp newspaper criticism OF the
acts of the court had tenqed TO the
obstruction of justice. Judge ffltch-
ard said he had carefully CONSIDERED
the above section of the statutes, ana
l fail to find anything in 1t to war
rant the action of the distinguished
judge of the district. he Woulu at
a later time prepare an OPINION ana
discuss the matter atlengtn.
1t would seem that Judge fufnell
had allowed his personal IeeIngs 10
get the better of his judgment IN
this case. If criticism, however Sc
we're, of judicial opinion or decree
is open to the construction OF con.
tempt as being an 1 obstruction CT
justice, then of course all adverse
comment on judicial acts IS at an
end, and the courts have placed
themselves in position OF lyraLlllcal
immunity from those influences OF
public opinion to which, all other
agencies of government are subject
It is one things for newspaper
during the tendency or case 70
seek to overawe the court anu ulc-
tate it's judgment. 1t is quite an
other thing to deny the rlgns ol an
individual or a newspaper aoserseIy
to criticise a judgment ailel IL mas
been rendered. That Justice rlItcn-
ard will be sustained/ by the great
majority of his fellow Judges III max
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
Country VIII be I'm Bad Way if
Editors Are Punished for Criti-
ciSing Public Officials.

Montgomery Advertiser.
1t may be that the criticism or Ian
guage of Mr.. Daniels was unduly Sc
we're. We have not read all that he
said and cannot judge as to that 1t
may be that his language was libel
louS, but for the life of US we cannot
see where the contempt of court was
shown. The right of free speech and
the freedom of the press are guaran-
teed by the Constitution, and a citizen
is responsible for the abuse of that
privilege. If a newspaper should pub
liSh matter calculated to defeat the
ends of justice, or to interfere with
the proceedings of the court. or to
lessen the respect due the judge and
his court, we can see where the editor
would be liable, but there was nothing
of the kind, and those who are best
informed hold that Judge Purnelrs
act was not justifiable. and that Edi-
tor Daniels had not violated his rights
and privileges.
There is a wide difference between
fair free criticism and profligacy of
speech or writing. The country will
be in a bad way if the newspapers
are to be punished for criticising pub
lie men and officials. and it is likewise
unfortunate when newspapers violate
the requirements of decency and fair
ness. Free speech and free press
should be coupled with due and
proper respect for the law. the courts
and the officers of the law.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12

just and he was not afraid to speak
his mind on all questions and on all
occasions. He simply wrote his opin-
ion of the North Carolina railroad re-
ceivership matter, but as that was
not in accord with the opinion of the
distinguished jurist, he was fined,
without having been given the right
of appeal. 1t was a blow at free
speech and the liberty of the press,
and all fair minded people must agree
that Judge Pritchard interpreted the
law as he found it when he rebuked
his associate and set an innocent man
free.
Without the fear of publicity, nigh
officials might resort to any extremes
to further their own ends. The press
keeps them within bounds. 1t strikes
at the sham. 1t exposes the Williams
and the hypocrites and it stands 1or
the people, first, last and all the ume.
Those who fear it's power are the hrst
to denounce it. but few have the au-
thority to punish. Judge Purnell may
have regarded himself as the eXcep-
ton, but he has been Inundated, MS
arbitrary ruling has been set ASIDE
and it only remains for public sentl-
ment to demand his impeachment.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
He Should be Impeached.
Greenville Is. C.) News.

In dismissing the case gaainst Edi-
tor Daniels of the Raleigh News and
Observer, who was fined $4,000 by
Judge Purnell for contempt of court,
Judge Pritchard has performed pub
lie service for which he should have
full and ample credit. He has proved
that he is a worthy successor of Judge
Simonton, whose official robes he shall
hereafter wear. For more than
twenty-five years Mr.. Daniels has been
an editor. He was always fearless,
he had the courage of his convictions,
and while at times he was violent in
his criticism of public servants, he
believed that his course was right and
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
Cell %. Criminal Row.
Chatham Record.

CnaIna1l 1SecOIu
While Mr.. Daniels was in custody
of Marshal Dockery (who discharged
his unpleasant duty like gentleman
should) they occupied room No. 2S
at the Marlborough Hotel, instead OF a
cell in the jail as Purnell wished.
While there distinguished State Off
Gals (including the Governor and
Chief Justice) and hundreds of prom1-
nent men called on Mr.. Daniels ana
expressed their hearty sympathy with
him. The room became the most
popular place in Raleigh and was
called "cen No. % on criminal row,
for by a strange coincidence Judge
PEBBLES prisoners occupied the ad-
joining room.
We suggest to the proprietor OF the
hotel that he reserve "cell No. 2S' for
special occasions Gas it has become
so historically and charge an extra
price for it's occupancy. Or he might
charge an admission fee for visitors
DESTROYS of seeing 1T!
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
A Federal Judges Outraged Dignity.

Houston (Tex.) Post.
The action of Judge Purnell, Fed
eral district judge, in fining Editor
Josephus Daniels of the Raleigh News
and Observer 81, 200 for criticising the
action of the court in appointing
receiver of the Atlantic and North
Carolina Railroad, a State property, is
not calculated to insure much respect
for the Federal bench among the
people.
Editor Daniels asserts he will rot
in Jail before he will pay the fine, but
in the meantime over hundred thou
sand dollars have been offered him
by citizens of North Carolina, if he
desires to pay the fine.
This shows how the people OF North
Carolina view the incident.
The dignity of the Federal judiciary
in North Carolina must be a sublime
affair. Some time ago, one of the Fed
eral judges-it may have been Pur-
nell-complained to the President in
person concerning what he termed the
lack of fitting accommodations for
man of his position, saying that the
hotel of Wilkesboro was beneath his
dignity. The Washington Post is au-
thority for the statement that he en-
deavored to induce the President to
abolish the court there entirely in or
der to prevent his subsection to such
indignity as poor hotel accommoda-
tons.
The Federal judiciary has steadily
fallen in the public respect for many
years because of the assumption of UNI
reasonable dignity and the brutal ex-
ercise of discretionary power to up
hold such dignity. But when it comes
TO restricting the freedom of the press
in SUCH manner as Purnell attempts.
popular execration Of the Federal
court is sure to follow.
The press of the country is free to
criticise the President, the Supreme
Court of the United States, State
judges and other high dignitaries, and
1t is hard to understand why the small
fry judges of the Federal bench are so
sensitive to criticism that they must
impose fines upon editors residing out
of the presence of the court for the
lawful expression of opinion.
Not long ago, some of the Supreme
judges of Missouri essayed to punish
a Missouri editor, but the action was
not upheld by public opinion. On the
contrary, it is quite certain that those
| judges will be hurled from power as
soon as the people get a chance at
them.
The Federal judges are appointed for
| life, but 1T is quite certain, if many
Federal judges follow the example Of
Purnell it will not be long before
there will be demand for an amend
ment to the Constitution prescribing
term of years for the tenure of the
| inferior judges. Whether the exercise
| OF extreme discretionary power as in
| the Daniels case is repeated or not, it
| is safe to say that public sentiment in
the United States is already opposed to
! life tenure.
The outcome of the Daniels case will
| be watched with interest. The editor
| in question is one of the leading jour
nalists of the South, and 1t is quite
| likely he will thoroughly test the pow
er of an inferior judge to destroy the
| freedom of the press.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
For Free Speech and Against Fraud
and Corruption.
Marion News.

Marion News.
Much has been said in regard to the
outrageous attempt on the part OF
Judge Purnell to muZZle the press by
his attachment for contempt and hne
imposed upon Josephus Daniels, ed
itor of theNews and Observer. There
is nothing that can be said by the
News that will add to what has been
said, but we desire to say that our
sympathies are with Mr.. Daniels ana
we are glad that he has not been call
ed upon to suffer in the cause Oh
right When the newspapers OF our
country are denied the right OF crltl-
Ching the acts of public officials then
it is time that we cease boastlnS OF
our liberties for we are no better OH
than the oppressed of Russia ana otn-
err tyrannical governments. Mr.. Dan
iels is receiving as he deserves, the
support of the whole newspaper ira
ternity with perhaps the exception OF
the Charlotte Observer, in his bold
and determined fight for free speech
and against fraud and corruption.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
Not Afraid of The Devil and His Co.
hOrtS.
Greenwood Is. c. Journal.

VI 6tII WUUI %. Z. J JUufHf-"''
But these proceeding will not him
der the freedom of the press IN the
least. They will rather prove helpIul
to it, and they will add fresh iaurels
to the brow of Josephus Daniels who
is one of the purest and bravest edl-
tors of the South. His fame VIII De
greatly enhanced by it, and IN parts
of the country where he was unknown
a week ago he will be well and faVor-
ably known.
And Mr.. Daniels has enemies
But let him glory in SUCH enemies
They are a credit to him, ana thelr
onslaughts only endear him to the
sober and God-fearing element of
every community. Thank God for
brave, uncompromising men who are
not afraid of the devil and his cohorts.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
A Righteous Decision.
oxford Public Ledger.

| One of the most righteous judg-
ments ever rendered and one which
/ will gain for Circuit Judge j. c.
Pritchard the respect and commenda-
| ton of all honest and fair-minded peo-
pie irrespective of party, is the judg-
ment in the contempt 90 proceedings
against Mr.. Josephus Daniels, the
brave and able editor of the News and
| Observer. The fact is there has never
really been any contempt case against
him, but only q charge of contempt by
| a biased, impetuous judge. He was
moved, by enmity in the whole trans
action, and must have known that the
Observation-Disclosures true or false
were not in law contempt. IL he did
| not the court would do well to devote
| himself to his books. And we believe
| the great majority of fair-minded
North Carolinians will agree with us
that the criticisms made by Editor
Daniels were true, fair and needfui
| for the public good.
Judge Pritchard, upon application,
! at once granted the habeas corpus ana
released Mr.. Daniels to await a hear
| ing of the case next day; and, after
a short argument, adjudged that he
was not guilty and that the lower
court was in error and ordered the
release Of Mr. Daniels.
There was more involved in this case
| than one would imagine at a casual
| glance AS we see it there was in
| volved:
| /. The liberty of a fearless and pa
| triotic editor who had violated no act
of the law.
2. The majesty of the law was vio-
| lated for it is well for us to remem-
| Der that the law is just as much in
yaded and violated when a judge vio-
! lates it by peremptorily and arbitra-
rily arraigning an innocent person as
| when an individual takes the law in
his own hands in mob violence. The
Judge must obey the law as we'll as
other people. He is only the inter-
prefer of the law and not the maker
| of the law in order to punish crime.
| g. But, greatest of all, the freedom
of the press was involved. When free
speech and a free press are denied us
then are the chief safeguards of our
liberties gone. The free and open dis
cusson of all public questions to every
one is the only means by which the
public can ever learn the facts on both
sides of all the public questions of the
day and be enabled to act intelligently.
| When this is denied then we will have
a despotism and not a democracy.
| Judge Pritchard has been the re-
cipient of many congratulations on
his wise decision in freeing Mr.. Dan
iels. This act will not soon be for
gotten and will endear him to many
liberty-loving Carolinians. For our
part we are not surprised at Judge
| Pritchard. While a partizan in poll
tics we knew he had the brains and
we believed he had the honesty to
give fair decision.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
No Man Should be Prosecutor, Judge
and Jury All In One.

Binghamton IN. Y.) Herald.
A judge of the United States Dis
trict Court of North Carolina has
fined Editor Daniels, of The Raleigh
News and Observer, and sentenced
him to a long term in Jail for what
the judge is pleased to consider con-
tempt of court. Mr.. Daniels critics.
ed through the columns of his paper
the action OF the judge in his APP
pointment of a receiver for the At
lantic & North Carolina Railroad.
Not only has the court sentenced the
editor to prison and fined him heavi-
Nv. but has denied the right of an
appeal from the order dning and
committing him.
The article in question did not libel
the Judge. as we understand it, but
simply criticized what he had done.
Tn this free land it is simply atroci-
Gus that any Judge should be his
own complainant prosecuting attor-
ney and judge, and that in addition
he should have the privilege of saying
to the man who has suffered at his
hands that the latter shall not be per-
mitted to appeal to other courts for
a reconsideration of his case. In
Ohio it is held that contempt of the
court must be done and "said in the
presence of the court and the publ
cation of newspaper cannot there
fore be contempt" Judge Purnell
holds that the utterances he objects
to had been "made in the presence
of the court or so near the presence"
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-12
Will Not Submit to Tyranny.


No question has so much stirred up
the people of the State as the at
tempt to punish a bold editor VINO
dared to speak out boldly and plainly
for the people of the State ana right.
Letters and kilograms poured IN on
him offering assistance in money or
otherwise all of which he thankfully
declined as he was fighting for a prin-
ciple. He has won in the hight Tor
the freedom of the press and endear-
ed himself to the whole people of the
State. Many had differed with him
before in matters, but the whole State
stood with him in this instance ana
today he has place in the hearts OF
the people of the State that should
justly cause him to feel proud. These
North Carolina folks believe in liberty
and freedom of opinion. They give
and take in their differences, but VIII
not submit to tyranny or the suppress
sion of free speech. Hurrah for Joe
Daniels.