The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1908-12-29
THEY SPEAK OUT
Messages of Sympathy Sent to
the Labor Leaders
SENTENCED TO JAIL

SENTENCED TO JAIL
Bryan Chief Among Nearly Two
Score Men to Wire Protest Against
Judge Wright's Decision in the
Contempt Case Against Gonlpers,
Mitchell and Morrison.
Washington, Dec. 24.-Wrl. j.
Bryan was chietf among nearly two
score of men, the majority of whom
are leaders in the labor movement OF
the country, who today sent messages
expressive of their cordial sympathy
to President Gompers, Vice President
Mitchhll and Secretary Morrison, of
the American Federation Of Labor.
The messages, which came from
every section of the country, and
voiced the sentiments Of parsons i'll
almost every avenue OF labor. convey
feelings of regret over the Courts
decision, eotend moral and financial
support, and in some Instances ex-
press indignation.
Mr.. Bryan in a telegram dated
Pittsburg addressed to Messrs Com
pers, Mitchell and Morrison, says:
Sorry to read the decision. You
did your duty in testing law. Glad
you are taking appeal.
"What action on the part of OF
ganized wage earners win, in your
opinion, be most useful to re-estab-
iish freedom of the press and of
speech?" asks H. P. Berham, presi-
dent of the Order of Railway Tele-
graphcrs in telegram from ST.
Louis, addressed Ito Mr.. Gompers.
perhars one of tie most unique
among the messages is that from J.
S. Barry, of Oklahoma City, who af-
ter expressing regret over the de-
cision, declares: "Stay with the bag
gage, right must prevail"
w. D. Mahon. president OF the
AmalgamaHsd Association of Street
Railway Employees, expresses sim
cere regret ait what ne considers "an
unjust and Un-American s:ntence''
upon the labor leaders. He says.
"You ar clearly the victims Of q
Judge-nlade law, which If wholly un-
constitutional. 1t should be carried
to the highest. court and contested
to the bitter end, and we pEsdge you
the united support of our Association
to that end"
That history will place the names
Of Messrs Gompers, Mitchell and Mo :,
rison on the roll of honor with those
men who have made real sacrifices
for human uplift is The declaration
of John B. Lennon, treasurer of the
American Federation Of Labor, in a
message from Bloomington, III. am
Court decision" Mr.. Lennon says
"can make you criminals at the bar
of public opinion"
Two hundred union farmers o:
Texas sympathize with the three la
Dor leaders," declares D. J. Neill, the
president of the Farmers Education
al and Cooperative Union of Texa"
in message from Fortworth. "AI.
wise us how Ito aid you," concludes
Mr.. Neill.
"Victory of greed is but tempor-
ary; yet justice W i'll yet prevail" rs
the way John F. McNamee, editor Of
the Locomotive Firemen and Engine
mems Magazine, states 1t in tele-
gram from Indianapolis.
J. A. Franklin, president; VIM
Giltherpe, international secretary.
treasurer, and A. Hinzman, of the
International Brotherhood Of Boiler
mahars, at Kansas City, sent mes
sage declaring that Judge Wright S
sentence IS unjust" "The evidence
proves that you oheyed Judge Could
order" says the massage, "but hui
man Judges retain and reflect the en-.
vironment in which they live. Th
Judgment throttles free spdech ard
free press, and tramples on the prin.
ciples of the American free man"
Birmingham, Ala, December "a
The offices of the United Mine Work
ers of America, in Alabama, sent tc
President Roosevelt today the folio Y
inging telegram:
Representing the United Mine
Workers of America, In Alabama, We
emphatically protest against the con-
viction and sentence to penal servi
tude of those great leaders of the
American labor movement, Samue
Gompers, John Mitchell and Frank
Morrison. They may have violated
the law, but we believe the decision
is in violation Of the Constitution oil
the United States and abolishes the
rights of free press and free speech.
1t is aigned by J. A. McKennamer
president, and J. D. Clemo, secretary
treasurer, District No. 20, and w. R
/