New-York tribune., 1908-12-24
GOMPERS SENTENCED
TO A YEAR IN JAIL
MITCHELL AND MORRISON
GET SHORTER TERMS.
Justice Wright Finds Labor Fedora
ton Officials in Contempt in
Buck Store Case.

Washington Dec 23-Twelve months in Jail
for Samuel GOmpers. president Of the American
Federation OF Labor: nine months for John
Mitchell, Of the presidents. and six
months for Frank Morrison. secretary, were the
sentences imposed by Justice Wright Of the
Supreme Court Of the District Of Columbia, to-
day for contempt of court in violating an order
of the court enJoining them from placing on the
unfair" or we don't patronze" list the
Buck Stove and Range Company, Of st. Louis.
All three of the defendants were in court
when sentence was pronounced, and notice OF an
appeal to the Court OF Appeals Of the District
Of Columbia was at filed, Mr.. Gompers
being released on 5000 bond. Nj Mitchell on
$1,000 and Mr. Morrison $4,000 The wife
and daughter of Gompers were present, as well
as a number Of local labor leaders and others
who we're attracted by the notice that de-
cision in the famous case would be announced
to-day The members OF Mr. Gomperss family
were visibly affected.
With tears coursing down his own cheeks,
Gompers heard the order OF the court which
condemned him 10 prison for year. Both
Mitchell and Morrison seemed stunned by the
sentence. Mitchell appearing TO be the least
concerned Asked II he had anything TO say
why sentence should not be pronounced. Mr..
C4ompers declared that he had not consciously
violated any law. There was much he would
like 10 say, he said. but he could not do II at
that time He added, however, that this IS a
struggle OF the working people of our country.
and it Is a struggle of the working people for
the right It Is q struggle Of the ages-a strug-
gle Of the men OF labor 10 throw off some Of the
burdens which have been heaped upon them; to
abolish some Of the wrongs and TO secure some
Of the rights too long denied"
Mitchell and Morrison confined themselves to
an Endorsement Of what Gompers had said
The decision OF Justice Wright, which con-
sumed hours and twenty minutes IN the
reading, was one of the most scathing arraign-
ments that ever came from the bench in this
city. Everywhere" the court said, all over,
within the court and out. utter. rampant, inso-
lent defiance is heraIded and proclaimed: un-
refined insult. coarse afront. vulgar indignity
measures the Iftigant's conception Of the tri-
bunaIs due wherein his cause still pends" The
laws command had been, the justice said, TO
stand hands of, until justice for this matter
can be ascertained,' but, he said, there had
been a studied determined, defiant conflict
'.precipitated in the light of open day, between
the DEGREES Of a tribunal ordained by the gov
ernment Of the federal Union, and OF the tri-
bunals of another federation grown up in the
land" one or the other. he declared, must
succumb. for those who would uniaw the land
are public enemies"
AN APPEAL TO THE PRESIDENT.
action as he has been urged 10 do in kilograms
received from different labor organizations
throughout the country in connection with
Judge Wright's decision. has not been decided,
II was said at the White House to-day. II was
explained there that the President had not read
the decision and therefore could not say
whether he would take any action. There was
an intimation however. that some action might
he taken if he should be convinced that the
tance was unjust If 1t should be affirmed upon
appeal.
The various Ia Dor organize tions, In protesting
ro the President against the sentence, urge him
10 prevent the incarceration Of the labor lead
ers The Illinois United Mine Workers sent this
telegram. signed by their president. John Il.
walker the vice-president secretary-treasuTer
and mem bers Of the executive board
In the name Of seventy-fve thousand mine
workers in Illinois we desire 10 protest against
the recent decision committing 10 penal servi-
tude those great commoneTs and representatives
of the American labor movement Samuel Com
pers John Mitchell and Frank Morrison. These
men may be guilty OF a breach Of law, but
z law that denies the Of a free press and full
speech is a breach of the fundamental principles
OF our country. Such decisions only tend to
create eumity and class hatred. We respectfully
solicit your influence 10 prevent the inCarCera-
ton of these men.