Devils Lake inter-ocean and Devils Lake free press. (Devils Lake, Ramsey County, N.D.) 1905-1909, 1907-12-06
INJUNCTIONS.
Abuses of This Judicial Institution
Should Be Stopped.

Abuses Of This Judicial Institution
Should Be Stopped.
Instances of abuse in the granting of
injunctions in labor disputes continue
to occur, and the resentment in the
minds Of those who feel that their
rights are being invaded and their lib
erty OF action and of speech unwar-
rantly restrained continues likewise to
grow. Much of the attack on the use
Of the process Of injunction is wholly
without warrant, but ! am constrained
to express tue belief that for some of
it there is warrant. This question is
becoming more and more one of prime
/: 90. ance. and unless the courts will
t-emselves deal with it in effective
manner it is certain ultimately to de-
mand some form Of legislative action.
1t would be most unfortunate for our
social welfare If we should permit
many honest and law abiding citizens,
to feel that they had just cause for re-
garding our courts with hostility
earnestly commend to the attention of
the congress this matter. SO that some
way may be devised which will limit
the abuse of injunctions and protect
those rights which from time to time
it fundamentally invades. Moreover,
discomfort is often expressed with the
use Of the process of Injunction by the
courts, not only in labor disputes, but
where state laws are concerned. I re-
frain from discussion of this question.
as am informed that it will soon re-
eeive the consideration Of the supreme
court 80
The federal courts must of course
decide ultimately what are the respec-
tive spheres of state and nation in con-
nection with any law, state or national.
and they must decide definitely and
finally in matters affecting individual
citizens, not only as to the rights and
wrongs of labor, but as to the rights
and wrongs Of capital, and the ma
tional government must always see
that the decision of the court Is put
:: into effect, The process of Injunction
is an essential adjunct Of the courts
doing its work well. and as preventive
measures are always better than RENE
fdial the wise use Of this process is
from every standpoint commendable
But where it is 4recklessly or unneces-
sarily used the abuse should be cen
isured, above all By the very men who
are properly anxious to prevent any eff
fort to shear the courts Of this necess
sary power. The courts decision must
be final. The protest is only against the
conduct OF individual judges In need
lessly anticipating such final decision
| or in the tyrannical use of what lis
nominally a Il temporary Injunction; to
accomplish what is in fact permanent
decision {; Il ,s 81 =.. n .S *:s
Accidents. :. $ syS:s. go ~s..5-
The loss of life and limb from rail-
road accidents In this country has be-
come appalling. 1t is a subject Of
which the national government should
take supervision. 1t might be wen to
begin by providing for a federal In
Ispectfon Of interstate railroads some
what along the lines OF federal inspec-
lion OF steamboat rs all though not going
10 far. Perhaps at first alI that At
would be necessary 20 have would be
some officer whose duty would be to
( Investigate all accidents on interstate
railroads and report In detail The
causes q. thereof Such an officer should
make 1t his business 10 get into close
touch With railroad opera ling men, 90
20 90 become theron ghIy familiar Witt,
every side of the Iilestlon, the idea
being 10 work along the lines OF me
present gtea taboat insp ection Law
III The national rrsaent should ba