The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-06-01
INDIGNATION INTENSE
PurneII Picture Of Rage and Voice
Shaken with Passion. He Calls for
a Cash Consideration which Editor
Daniels Refuses to Pay, Saying He
Will Rot in Jail Before He Pays a
Cent.

i WIZ hVa III Soit DelUTc ne rays
Cent.
The defendant is fined $4,000 and
is committed to the custody of The
United Sltes Marshal till the fine is
paid"
A storm cloud of Indignation has
broken over the State because Of
these words of Federal Judge Purnell.
who yesterday adjudge Josephus
Daniels, editor of the News and OBJ
server and the Democratic National
Committeeman from North Carolina,
guilty of contempt of court in the
writing and publishing of various edi-
torials having to do with Judge Pur-
nell's acts in appointing receivers for
the Atlantic and North Carolina Rail-
road.
The day was hot, yet perspiring
humanity wedged itself in mass in
the Federal Court room yesterday
morning long before ten o'clock. the
time set for the hearing. At ten. ac-
companied by his attorneys and a
great number of friends, Mr.. Daniels
proceeded to the court room. The
party had to go in single file up the
stairs and to edge a way through the
throng that blocked the way.
Hardly had seats been secured than
Judge Purnell entered and took his
seat clothed in the full war paint of
Federal Court Judge. He was pal
pably nervous. His face showed the
pallor of white beneath its olive and
his hands trembled. He gazed upon
Of fenD
the intensity of the situation. What
must hff/e been his thoughts? If the
thrill of indignation that was burning
in the breasts of thousands on thous-
ands of North Carolinians could have
made it's way to his consciousness the
answer would be an easy one.
Mr.. Josephus Daniels was study i'm
self possession. He was clothed in a
suit of brown linen fit for the heated
day. His eyes were bright and his
head was erect. Fitting this was for
in his person he was the typificulon of
the Freedom of the Press assailed,
and the contest he was waging was a
contest for human liberty and for the
best government of his country.
Judge Purnell dropped in his chair.
his head down and chin lowered
while a look Us of a fixed purpose
swept across his face. His voice
broke the stiffness in harsh notes as
he asked if the respondent was ready.
In tones rough, abrupt and brusuue
he swept away the pleas of counsel
for a continuance so that the respond
ents case might be properly prepared.
He would brook nothing that stood in
the way He had made up his mind
to drive the thing through and be
done with it.
When Judge r. w. Winston spoke
his logic, his intense earnestness and
lifting eloquence worked a spell on
the vast crowd. They were storm
tossed by it's many clmaxes of burn
ing eloquence. His words carried con-
viction to those who listened, and who
saw as he read authority after au-
thority that he was building what
seemed an irnpregnable rock of safety
amidst the storm.
Some were not moved, of course.
Some were there who would have re-
joiced at any verdict that would have
reached the editor of the News and
observer. And one there was, who.
if he listened to all that was said
gave heed by question only once.
That was the judge on the bench, the
Judge who had hailed the editor be-
fore him FOR punishment because of
his fearless words.
And when the sentence fell there
was a pause, and then on it there
miration that is not often shown. 1t
was a tribute to Editor Daniels, who.
i'm the sentence of Judge Purnell had
been decorated in the sight of North
Carolinians with a chaplet of honor.
DeIuged Him With Money.
After the judgment and sentence OF
the court in the case of Editor Daniels
had been announced then followed a
scene which was unique as we'll as
vastly inspiriting to the prisoner.
No sooner had the fine of $4,000
fallen from the lips of Judge PUrnelI
than there was a rush through the
dense crowd of men who fought with
one another to be the first to contri-
butte towards the payment of the fine.
One man was on top of Mr.. Daniels in
a moment thrusting big handful of
bills and checks into his lap. And
the heads of the intervening crowd
waved struggling hands with bills of
large denomination between their
fingers. For several minutes Mr.
Daniels was busy declining these we'll
meant and comforting offers of as
sistance. 1t was the crowds substan-
tial impulsive method of expressing
the opinion that became general on
the streets that the fine was one arbi-