Montana news. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1904-191?, 1907-07-18

Thursday morning the defense at
tempted to prove by Mr.. Tierney, cor
respondent for the Rocky Mountain
News and Denver Times at Boise, the
dreadful and disturbed political condi-
tion that existed in Colorado during,
and as result of, the labor troubles
there. The prosecution made strenu-
Gus objections to this testimony, where
upon Darrow plead that the state had
charged that Orchard, in the blowing
up Of the Independence depot, was
acting for the defense bcause of the
resentment Of the unions at the su-
preme court decision on the eight-hour
law. Mr.. Darrow said they wanted to
show by this witness the public mind
and that other interests were as much
infamed as were the labor interests
at that time, and he asked to have the
jury sent out while he argued the ad.
missibility Of the evidence.
Mr.. Tierney was one Of the men
elected as a democrat to the legisla-
ture, who was unseated in the election
disturbances. Intense excitement pre-
vailed in Denver, nooses for the judges
were displayed in the windows of the
stores, flags were hsng at half mast.
The night before the close of Pea
body's term he appointed Goddard,
who had been democrat, to the su-
preme bench. Adams was ousted by
the supreme court. Peabody served q
day and resigned, the lieutenant-gov-
ernor taking his place. Threats were
rife against Peabody and the supreme
court
After Darrow's argument the judge
sustained the objection of the prose
cution.
Tuesday afternoon Mr.. Meyer came
to the stand. His testimony and cross
Examination lasted two days, and has
proved the crucial part of the fight
between the two contending forces.
Mr.. Meyers very presence com.
mands respect and attention. Every
word uttered by him was carefully
weighed and spoken with deliberation
Judgment and forethought. When Bo.
rah was trying to break him down on
the cross examination it was evident
that the representative elements on
each side of this labor fight were fac
ing each other. Meyers replies wer,
cool, quiet, courteous, even respectful
He easily had the upper hand in the
give and take. 1t was plainly to b'
seen that Borah was making superla
tive efforts to fasten the responsibilit.
Of Steunenberg's murder upon thu
Western Federation through the admis
sion Of its president.
But President Meyer was ready a
every trap. His answers were con
vincing, solid and dignifed. He q
far the heaviest witness the defens
has put up. The Western Federation
VI ulutTb ud5 no
these years in its choice of head
II took a cool, logical brain and grea
: strength of mind to meet the tryini
Q ordeal that the senator attorney pre-
= sented to the man he would so gladl,
Y annihilate. Senator Borah used all tn
viles of his naturally active and power
e full brain. A tense atmosphere pei
o vaded the court room. If Borah
e ever to make good in this case, it mus
y trial.
Mr.. Meyer said he was Al years o
e age, had been a miner and laborer al
his life. He was born in Mangoor
n Iowa, and Joined the W. f. of L. i
!. 1897. He told of his union activities
$ the methods employed in the Wester
n Federation of Miners and the constitu
}. tion of the organization was placed o
!, exhibition. When he first became pres
n ident, $4,000 miners were in the Fed
!. GRAFTON. At this last convention 40
s 600 pere represented. He told of tn
> strike conditions in the Coeur d'Alene
{ and Colorado, and of the protest
8 against calling out the militia.
The prosecution has numerous vii
d nesses that have gathered in here I
L show the necessity there was for cal
2 ing out the militia in Colorado.
l. Considerable time was spent on tn
d eight.hour law and its fate, and ho'
It the strike at Telluride grew out Of th
demand for IL.
y Impeachment questions were aske
regarding Orchard s testimony, and h