Omaha daily bee., 1908-12-24
Nine Months for John Mitchell and
Six Months for Frank Morrison.
sCATH1NG LANGUAGE OF COURT
Studied, Defiant and Determined
Contempt of Tribunal.
APPEAL IMMEDIATELY TAKEN
All Are Released ON Bond md Case
VIII he Taken 10 supreme Court
President Asked 10
Interfere.

WASHINGTON. Dec 2S.-Twelve months
in Jail for Samuel Gompers, president;
nine months for John Mitchell. one Of the
vice presidents. and six months for Frank
Morrison, secretary, all OF the American
Federation OF Labor. was the sentence inn
posed by Justice Wright of the supreme
court of the District of Columbia today for
contempt of court for violating an order
enjoining them from placing on the "un-
fair" or 1--WE don't patronize list' the
Bucks Stove and Range company OF st.
Louis.
All the defendants were in court when
sentence was pronounced and notice Of
appeal to the District OF Columbia appellate
court at once was filed, Gompers being re-
leased on S. 900 bond, Mitchell on 5000 and
Morrison on 5000
The wife and daughter of Gompers heard
the sentence and were visibly affected.
with tears coursing down his cheeks Pres
ident Gompers heard the order which con-
demned him to prison for year. Both
Mitchell and Morrison seemed stunned. al
though Mitchell appeared to be the least
concerned!
Asked II he had anything to say why sem
tence should not be pronounced, President
| Gompers declared that he had not con-
sciously violated any law. There was much
he would like to say, but he could not do
| It at that time; he added, however, that
| 'this is a struggle of the working people
for right 1t is a struggle for ages-the
struggle of the men OF labor to 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 told the court to-
day they endorsed what Gompers had
| said
Justice wright's decision which consumed
| two hours and twenty minutes In reading,
was scathing arraignment
| Everywhere" the court said. "all over.
| within the court, without, utter rampant
| insolent defiance is heralded and pro-
| claimed; unrefined insult, coarse affront.
| vulgar indignity measures the litigant's
| conception of the tribunals due, wherein
his cause still pends." -s s,,,,, ,.a....
The laws command has been. he said.
ito stand hands off untii justice for this
matter can be ascertained," but, he said.
| there has been a studied, determined de-
fiant conflict. 'precipitated In the Hight of
open day between the DEGREES of tribunal
| ordained by the government OF the federal
unon and of the tribunals OF another fed
Grafton grown up in the land"
One or the other he declared, must sue
|
land are public enemies"
At the conclusion of the reading OF his
opinion Judge Wright, looking directly at
Messrs Gompers. Mitchell and Morrison,
SAID:
Have either Of you anything to say why
judgment should not be pronouncedT'
GOmpers Addresses Court.
President Gompers stood up and address
ing the court said:
II am not conscious at any time during
my life of having violated any law OF the
country or OF the state in which lived.
I would not consciously violate law now
or at any time during my full life. 1t il
not possible that under tine circumstances
which I am before your honor this morning
and after listening to the opinion which
you have rendered to say that which have
i'll mind. but sir. 1 may be permitted to say
this: That freedom of speech and freedom
J of the press has not been granted 20 the
people to say the things which please. but
) the right to say the things that displease.
even though they do a wrong. There is
much that 1 would like to say. but l can
not do 1t now"
, At this point Mr.. Gompers said he had
said all he cared to, but after a short
D pause. said he would like TO make a few
2 more remarks. 'T may say" he added
/ |
people OF our country and II Is a struggle
of the working people for right. The labor
movement does not undertake to presume
I to be a higher tribunal than either the
e courts or the other branches OF the gov
Z ernment Of our country.
struggle of the Ages.
y "It is a struggle OF the ages-a struggis OF
\ the men OF labor to throw off some Of the
s burdens which have been heaped upon
4 | them; to abolish some of the wrongs and
4 to secure some of the rights too long de-
0 MED II men must suffer because they dare
: speak for the masses OF the men OF our
= country; II a man must suffer because he
n may have refused to meet the sordld
greed-even to grind the children In ths
n dust to get in dollars-they must bear the
3 consequences"
q But" continued Mr. Gompers. III I
cannot discuss grave problems; .rsat Is
sues in which the people all over the
II country are Interested. If a speech made
4 by me during a political campaign, after
: the close OF this case. II the speeches in
e fuTtherance OF a great principle OF a great
d right, are 10 ce held against me, shall
n not only have 70, but am willing to bear
70 the consequences I would not have you
T. believe me a man of a defiant character
in disposition or In conduct But Ia the
pursuit OF honest conviction ana In the
furtherance of the common interest OF my
g fellow man. shall not only have to. but
rs be willing TO submit to whatever your
le honor may impose"
Is Mitchen's Sentiments same.
p Mr. Mitchell followed in a strong, 70
sonant voice:
II thoroughly and unreservediy enders'
what Mr., Gompers has said should Ike
his expression 10 be accepted as my own
Mr. Morrison spoke last Il endorse.
=, said he. what Mr.. Gompers has said.
J, am conscious of do ng no wrolg or having
: IN any way violated any law. and II is ms
~ belief that In every act l have committed
a. / have but exercised my rights under III,
- constitution and the laws Of this land"
In commenting upon these remarks ia,
court said that there was nothing n. thAh