Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1907-06-13
Boise, June s.

The cross examination Of Orchard
goes forward relentlessly. This man
has certainly condemned himself out
of his own mouth as the arch criminal
of the age. And what information he
has not volunteered the defense attor
neys have disclosed as already in their
possession during the cross examina-
tion. Already he is branded as
Bigamist,
Highgrader or ore thief,
Gambler,
Powder thief,
Ineendiary,
Murderer.
He tells his tale coolly and quietly
as one who has his lesson well learned.
Mr.. Richardson brought out that he had
written the story of his life during
the past year and had gone over it
many times. Mr.. Richardson was led
to ask in regard to this by the circum-
stance of Attorney Hawley on the di'
rect examination continually prompt
ing Orchard to continue his "narra-
tive" or ego on'' and reeite.
The murderer refused to admit that
Mcfarland had supervised and cor
rected the story. But he confessed
under the merciless questioning that
he was meeting MCFARLAND continually
between the court sessions. He gave
evidence in all his answers Of the most
careful coaching and encouragement.
Orchard is the central figure in one
of the most daring games ever played
in history by a ruling class to fetter
the manacles on its slaves. All the
powers of established control are mar
shalled to protect this anti-soeial beast,
giving the most abandoned confession
of his misdeeds. Borah and Hawley
guard every move against him like
the watch-dogs at the gates of hell.
He is precious charge of infinite val
ne to capitalism and its profits, and
the conditions of production through
which its profits are made.
Capitalism has the best and the
worst products of its system, which
rules the world It is the lowest dregs
of human vitiation, like Orchard, that
support its sanctity and culture. All
that capitalism favored sons are
able to accomplish is done by the iron
heel ON the neck of the man that
makes the product by which results are
accomplished.
The Western Federation is moving
in aggressive rebellion against condi
tions that subordinate and make labor
inferior. If any individuals should
have all that earth can give it is those
who do the work. But If these had
the joys that they have produced the
capitalist system of special privilege;
would be shattered. The capitalist
rushes to defend his dear privileges
with the mad instinct of self.preserva
tion. Orchard has been found will
ing instrument in the hand of estab
lished injustice 10 grind to powder
those who dare assail vested wrongs
. II will be interesting TO see wha'
, becomes Of Orchard. II is safe to say
, that not a hair of his head will evel
, be harmed. He walks secure annie
his enemies, among the men Whose
lives he seeks like a human hyena
{ surrounded by what his guardians con
I slider the greatest dangers through the
, exaggerated care they take to provide
I. against any possible harm TO this dar
ling Of the gods Of mammon.
r 100000 presented to him would b
cheap way Of crushing the Fedora
, tion. These profits would be made II
less than a week IL the great unioI
were out of the way so that wages
could be lowered to $3.50 n day.
Only the socialist analysis Of soeia
| products can correctly dissect a char
. acter like Orchards. He is a highly
Z specialized example Of misdirected en-
| ergy. The same activity which he hai
2 displayed in committing his atrocioui
crimes would have made good anC
' successful man If applied along othe
l lines. But he was uneducated an,
Z forced to the narrow and uncongcnia
/. sphere Of labor.
n Labor troubles presented the oppor
. tuuity Of making himself useful an'
. associating with those "abovc" hi
o class. 4 life Of excitement aud in
a trigue was moro interesting than work
How fascinating is the prospect Of lif