The Washington times., 1908-09-07
LABOR HEARS BRYAN
AT CHICAGO PICNIC

led MIN TO underrate the Importance OF
the jury system.
No Interference With Courts.
The Democratic platform proposes
no interference with the right OF the
judge TO decide the cases OF direct con-
tempt-contempt committed IN the pres
ence of the court: neither is it proposed
10 interfere with the right o1 the judge
TO determine the punishment for indi-
rect contempt, All that Is sought is the
substitution Of trial by jury for trial by
judge when the violation of the court
decree must be established by evidence.
Not only is the prosecution for con-
tempt a criminal prosecution, but there
is even mere reason for jury han in
the ordinary criminal case. In the Grim
inal court the Judge acts IN judicial
capacity only. he is not responsible for
the law which Is being enforced In his
court and therefore ne has no personal
grievance against the defendant, and,
not being the prosecutor IN the case, ne
does not feel a personal interest in the
result of the trial; but in a contempt
proceeding the judge is the laWmaker
and public prosecutor as well as the
Judge. It is the Judges order which the
accused is charged with violating. and
Il IS the Judge WHO appears TO prosecute
the case, upon which ne is 10 render a
decision.
Not Really Labor Question.
while the Iaboring men have been
the first to complain OF this denial Of
the risht of trial by jury in cases of in
Oirect contempt. it ought not 70 be con-
sIdereG a labor quesuon. The jury sys-
TEN is so essential to the administra-
ti0a Of justice that the subject ought 10
appeal 10 all who make a study OF the
science of Government II citizens
would only be OA their guard against
the beginnings of evils. II would be very
easy 70 apply necessary remedies, but
in the struggle for existence the voters
are often Indifferent to the application
of an erroneous principle until repeat
ed applications establish a custom. and
in time a custim crystallIzes into law.
II behoOVeS US, as lovers OF our cCun-
tIy and as the friends OF liberty, to in
sst upon the Independence OF the diff
feTent departments of our Government
ana upon the main tenance OF the rights
which have been shown by experience
TO be essential 10 freedom and SELL
government.
The Jury system must be preserved,
and we cannot hope 10 preserve IL If,
FOR any reasonn or under any pretcXt,
we permit any citizen to be denied the
protection which il furnishes.
When I visited the valley OF Jordan
learned that IL is fertile and produc-
tive, and yet, instead OF being cUlti-
waited Ike the valley of the Nile, vast
stretches of territory lie untitled. Why
/ was told that under the reign OF the
the enjoyment of the fruits of his toll.
If the farmer plants and tends his crop.
the rOaving BedoIinS will SWEEP down
from the hills at he rvest time and car
~ away the fruits of his industry.
'One of Inc great problems of today
is to secure an equitable distribution Of
the proceeds of toll! The material
wealth of this country is largely a t7int
product; in factories few people work
alone. ara on the farm certain amount
Of cooperation is necessary. Where
men work together, the army organiZa-
ton applies TO some degree; that is,
Hard to Divide Fairly.
THE difficulty has been to divide the
results fairly between the captains Of
industry and the privates In the ranks.
As the dividing is done largely by the
captains, 1t is not unnatural that they
should magnify their part and appro-
pirate too large share; neither Is It
plaint on the part of the toilers who
think that their recompense is insult
ficient
'"FE- labor question, therefore, as IL
presents itself at this time, is chiefly
a question of distribution, and the leg
islation asked for is legislation which
will secure to each that to which his
services entitle him. AS legislation is
secured through the ballot every one
should use the ballot to obtain the leg
islation necessary. The Democratic
platform presents the ideal toward
which the Democratic party is striv-
ing, namely, justice IN the distribution
of rewards