Daily Arizona silver belt., 1909-11-05


 American people. No measure of re- lief demanded by the voters of this nation enacted into law by their elect ed representatives and signed by the president may become operative with out its judicial sanction. At the com mand of the lords of privilege any ob- noxious law is promptly declared un- constitutional.
 The supreme court of the United States hes today more real power over the people than is vested in any mon- arch of the old world.
 The late Senator Hanna boasted that the courts are maintained to buttress property rights. Ex-President Roose- welt denounced a federal judge for his interpretation of the law in the gov ernments prosecution of the beef trust.
 President Taft in his Hot Springs (Va) speech expressed a decided opin- ion upon the same question in referring to the inability of the poor to cope in the courts with men ofwealth. With ex- pressions like these from men of prom thence, do you wonder that there is a growing distrust on the part of the poor people of this nation that the courts are against them?
 The Courts Ruled by Property.
 Tn the western district of New York of thirty cases decided in favor of in- jured employees twenty-eight were re- versed in favor of the master class by the higher courts. United States Dis trict Attorney Sims of Chicago was waging vigorous fight against the white slave drivers, and when ictory was almost within bis grasp his hand was paralyzed by decision of the supreme court, which virtually put an end to the prosecution of that unspeak- able infamy. There are property in- terests involved in the wholesale de- bauchery of young girls, and these property interests must be safeguard ed at whatever cost. As for the girls, they are the daughters of the working class and in point of value are not to be compared to property.
 Our modern system of jurisprudence is a survival of nnediaevaI times, when judges presided by right of ownership of lands and castles, and it will require another political revolution similar to that of 1776 and that of 1860 to abolish this buIwark of special privilege and capitalist exploitation.
 
 Convicted by Jury of Republicans.
 I was convicted by jury composed of partisan Republicans. If was shown by competent evidence introduced in this court today that two of the jurors had expressed hostile and prejudlcial sentiments against me. Affidavits herewith filed show that one of the jurors. Mir Nelson, became deathly sick in the jury room, and he affirms that it was because of this sickness and his fear of death unless medical attention could be secured that he was forced into voting for a conviction. Again 1t is shown by competent evi. dence introduced at this hearing that the principal witness for the govern. ment, ex-Governor Taylor made state ments which were untrue. He stated that at the time the reward which I offered was circulated through the mails he was not fugitive from jus tice nor was there any charge pending against him of a criminal nature in Kentucky. Afidavits, state records and letters signed by Taylor himself. all on file in this court, show that Fay Tor had been indicted and that for seven years prior to the offer of cur reward he had been a fugitive from justice with price on his head. It is the common practice in all courts that where the defendant can show that a juror in qualifying periures himself new trial is granted. Perjured testi- mony on the part of the prosecuting witness is also ground for new trial in ordinary cases. Of course l under stand that this is not an ordinary case. The whole history of these pro ceedings shows conclusively that it is not an attempt to secure the ends of justice, but an effort to punish me be- cause of my political views.
 No Mercy or Lenisney Asked.
 In conclusion permit me to say that am not asking the mercy or leniency of this court. I have committed no crime, and there is fostering, in my con- science no accusation of guilt, but if my conviction and punishment win serve to rlvet public attention upon the abuses which have tried to point out then shall feel that I have not suffered this humiliation in vain.
 After all, this is the price of human progress. Why should I expect im- munity? The courts have ever been and are today the bulwarks of the rul- ing class. Why should they not pun ish offenders against that class?
 In feudsI slavery the courts sus- tained the feudaI lords, in ehattel slav- cry they protected the slave owners, and in wage slavery they defend the industrial masters.
 Whoever protests for the sake of jus tice or in the name of the future is an enemy of society and is persecuted