Montana news., 1907-10-31
STATUS OF THE HAzLETT AP
PEAL CASE.

PEAL CASE.
The facts of Mrs. Hazlett's 5 arrest
In Spokane are well known through the
large circulation that was given them,
although in a distorted form, through
the capitalist press. In spite of the
threats of the police and their need
less and unwanted supervision of her
meetings she continued speaking for
four nights while her case was pend
! ing, and established the right of the
= socialists 10 the stress in Spokane
without interference by the author
tiles.
Mrs. Hazlett's insults in the police
court through a brutal bailif when
she was attending her own business
and in no wise resisting authority,
but simply demanding her rights spec
fled by law are also well-known. Her
determined stand for her legal guar
antees resulted in forcing the police
court to abide within its lawful
bounds, and in enforcing the sonsti-
tutional right of one who gives testi-
mony, to affirm instead of swear.
The charge lodged against Mrs.
Hazlett was obstruoting the streets.
By fifteen witnesses for the defense
two for the prosecution it was proven
that in spite of the large crowd con-
gregated, traffic was unobstruete 4,
vehicles passing readily on the street,
and pedestrians moving continually on
the sidewalk. The judge admitted that
there was no case against Mrs. Haz-
lett but said he would fine her on a
technicality, and placed her punish
ment at S. and costs, which amounted
TO $l1. The defense attorneys ap
pealed the case and Mrs. Hazlett .
bond was placed at $3.50.
Up to this point Local Spokane had
given no evidence of not lining up to
the fight. Comrade Liehty announced
as chairman of a crowded hall meet
ing that they would carry the case Il
the supreme court il necessary. Rely
ing on these assurances Mrs. Hazlet
continued on her speaking route. NJ
sooner was she out of the state, how
ever, than Local Spokane refused t,
put up her bond, took action advers,
to an appeal and proceeded with step
to pay the fine. Had this been don,
Mrs. Hazlctt's name would have beei
left to decorate the annals of a Grim
inal record when she was facing oh
loquey and most disagreeble publicity
not because she had committed an.
crime but because she was opposing
for the sake of the working class o
the world the injustice of capitals
rule over the right of the socialis
party to proclaim its doctrines. Ey
cry other sort Of an opinion has
right to free expression on the street
of spokane-republicans democrats
all sorts of religious denomination
street fakirs, quack doctors, ami va,
deville proprietors.
This action Of Local Spokane woul
no doubt have succeeded had not Mr.
Hazleh's attorney insisted that sh
should be notified before any such a.
tion was taken. She got the wor
just in time before the limit for pu
ting up the bond had expired and b
working the wires and sending wor
to her attorneys and several persons
friends in Spokane that she knew 81
could rely upon, they had just one ds
In which to fix the bond, and then u
lawyer had to put up $l25 in cash OF
Of his own pocket.
The court officials were very muC
opposed TO the securing Of the appea
and said that they wished we wou
let the matter drop. They know tn,
have no case, AMI that the fine WI
put upon Mrs. Hazlett simply to su
tain the offcious police Of Spokai
and punish her for her staunch lefan
Of their injustice and absurdities.
The Spokane socialists then said tn,
would arrange a surety bond. M
Kerby. a lawyer none too rich in th
worlds goods but one who had mo
ably befriended Mrs. Hazlett from ii