Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-04-25

ing arraignment of Meyer, Haywood,
Pettibone and Debs. and 3. Fl. Harri-
man, President Roosevelt has replied
to the letters he has received from
various labor bodies at Chicago, New
York and elsewhere, criticising his
course in coupling the names Of the
accused members Of the Western
Miners union with that of the New
York fnancier as undesirable citi-
zens.' ~ y IA ssss
Not one word does The President re-
tract from his former utterances, but,
instead, he repeats the charge against
these men and claims for himself the
right to express his opinion Of them
entirely regardless of the fact that
they ares in prison charged with q
crime that may cost them their lives.
He openly expresses his resentment
against the men who have protested
against his condemnation of Meyer,
Haywood and Pettibone, and In turn
accuses the friends Of these men Of
being guilty Of fragrant impropriety
in trying to influence the course Of
justice.
Replies to Chicago Man.
The Presidents letter Is addressed
to Honore Jaxon, 677 West Lake
street. Chicago, head of the Cook
county Meyer -Haywood-P Pettibone
conference"
He quotes from the le.te. head Of
the conference, in which is this ex-
preston: death cannot, will not, and
shall not claim our brothers"
This, the President states, ''is not
demanding fair trial Or working for
Ia fair trail, but is announcing in ad-
vance that the verdict shall only be
one way and he says that the friends
of Meyer and Haywood will not toler-
ate any other verdict 1t is simply an
absurdity to suppose because any man
is on trial for given offense he is
therefore freed from all criticism ac-
cording to the Presidents letter.
"Stands Pat" on Statements.
The letter to Mr.. Jaxon follows
IT have received your letter Of the
10Th inst. in which you enclose the
draft of the formal letter which Is to
follow. i have been notified that sew
eral delegations bearing similar re.
quests are on the way hither. In the
letter you. on behalf of the Cook coun.
lty Moyer-Haywood conference, protest
against certain language used in a
recent letter which you assert to be
designed to influence the course of jus
tice in the case of the trial for murder
Of Messrs. Meyer and Haywood. / en-
tirely agree with you that 1t is i'm
proper to endeavor to influence the
course of Justice, whether by threats
-. ;1o,.
son | have regretted most deeply the
action of such organizations as your
I own in undertaking to accomplish this
very result in the very case Of which
you speak
For instance, your letter is headed
Cook county Moyer-Haywood,P Petit
bone Conference with the headlines
death cannot. will not and shall moi
claim our brothers. This shows that
you and your associates are not de
manding a fair trial or working for q
| fair trial but are announcing in ad
vance that the verdict shall only be
one way. and that you will not toler
ate any other verdict. Such action is
| fragrant in it's improperly and joir
heartily in condemning 1t.
/ Received Many Letters.
LET me repeat my deep regret thu
any body OF men should so far for
4 get their duty to their country as tc
endeavor, by the formulation of socie-
lties and in other ways, to influence tbs
course of justice in this matter havs
received many such letters as yours
accompanying them We're newspapers
announcing demonstrations, parades
and mass meetings resigned to show
|, that the Representatives of labor, with
tout regard to the facts. demand the &c.