Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-03-15
THE NEWS" AND THE UNIONS.


The Deseret News has publisl the
atrocious revolutionary TRADE by 'lu-
gene V. Debs that appeared IN the So
cialistic paper called appeal to R5a-
SON" IN which he denounced the pro-
Ceedings for the prosecution OF the al
legged murderers of Ex-Governor Steun-
enberg. and threatened the officials NJ
the State of idaho with death II the
accused persons were convicted ard
executed. The anarchlstlc agitator pro-
nouncel Judgment on the defendants
who have not yet had trial, declaring
them innocent. and calling upon labor
organizations 10 combine and inaugut-
ate a revolution " the persons charged
with assassination are found guilty. he
further held Up the anarchists who wore
executed m Chicago nearly twenty
years ago az innocent men. and those
who enforced the lazy against those as
sasslns as "the murderers OF innocent
men and the arch-enemies OF the peo-
pie"
In commenting upon the innammatory
utterances OF that demagosue, we said
edltorIally; 1.-THE threats that have been
uttered by leading but excited orators
and organizers are suhversive of the
public welfare and their calls for SYM
patty with criminals are out Of all rea-
son and respect" This had direct ref
erence 10 that sympathy which Debs
80 g. Aa l.
Of Chicago whom lie eulogized and de-
Tended. Attempts have been made TO
pervert these remarks into an attack
upon labor unions aud reference 10
the persons under arrest IN Idaho az
terminals aud natural revolutionlsts
The truth Is that the News insisted
upon a fair trial OF the accused and
the "benefit OF every facility for their
defense that can be nationally desired"
but never used the language imputed or
sything resembling II IN reference TO
them.
We expected that some OF the chronic
sufferers from anti-"Mormon' bile.
which manifests itself in yellow jour
nalism and yenomous yindictivcness
against this panar and this writer,
would endeavor to take that twist to
put the News" In a false position 70.
ward organized labor. Also that some
fierce and furious but unrenectlng
union men would construe our crlti.
cisms OF anarchlstc threats into some
thing unfavorable toward unionism
But We are not to be deferred from our
course In support OF law and order by
anything that can come from such
sources, whether IN word or deed. When
we know we are right we intend 60 ga
ahead
As to the men under grave charges
IN the State OF Idaho. we can but re-
peat what We have already said con.
cerning the conduct of their case,
which was this
AS to the accused. they must receive
fair treatment. q legal Investigation,
every opportunity for defense that tha
Jaw provides, and freedom from the
bias that may come from appearances
and reports. The presumption OF their
innocence until they are proven guilty
must be maintained But no Influences
from any quarter that would get aside
evidence and thwart Justice. must be
permitted 10 invade the courts. or In
terfere with the execution OF right
judgment"
We have never advocated any other
course concerning individuals accused
OF crime nor prejudged them when
their cases were pending before the
courts.
In regard 10 labor unions, the Deseret
News has always taken this stand: Tho
right OF people to organize for an IN
crease of pay for their work, or the
improvement Of their condition in any
direction which they desire, cannot be
Justly denied or prohibited But their
combination and agitation for such
purposes must not he extended to in
fringement upon the rights " other
people, to refrain from joining such So
cieties and to work as long and for
such prices as they themselves deter
mine.
Labor unions may use all legitimate
means In each others support and