The Morning examiner. [volume] (Ogden, Utah) 1904-1910, 1909-01-03
Under the Auspices
of the
OGDEN TRADES ASSEMBLY
JUSTICE

We hear much tnesc days about JUS
tice; but It has been so long since we
have seen the real article. we doubt
very much If we would be able to rec
ognlze t. Especially is this true in
regard TO labor disputes, and wherein
the poor are pItted against the rich
| And, let us say. VIC have no objection
TO one becoming wealthy il he does so
honestly.
But in order to ret n little under
standing OF what we mean, let us dc
fine the word. Justice"
1t Is first. the quality of being just
| The rendering TO everyone his duo
right, or desert; practical conformity
10 the laws and principles OF rectitudc
! in the dealings of mon with each 9th
er; honesty. integrity In commerce OF
mutual intercourse; strict conformity
10 right and obligation; rectitude, in
tegrity, impartiality"
Second-"Conformity to Truth and
reality, equal distribution of right In
expressing opinions; fair representa-
tion Of facts respecting merit or de-
merit"
Now, we wish to treat this subject
in its relation to labor" in the light
of recent events
In the first place. IL all men were
possessed of the quality of being
just" or were disposed to render to
everyone his due there would be no
need of the establishment of tribunals
for the administration OF justice or
equity but such is not the case;
hence these tribunals.
The courts, therefore. are presumed
To be so Versed in the science OF law.
or to be sufficiently familiar with the
laws customs. and the rights of men,
or possess Sucn knowledge of them as
Is necessary for the administration of
justice.
That most courts are so informed.
or that they possess such knowledge
is beyond question, but that many of
them do not use equal distribution
of right in expressing opinions" is
just as evident to rs OF course,
courts are composed Of human beings
possessed of human nature and it is
human to err. We can forgive an hon
est mistake. but We cannot ligntly
pass over a deliberate violation Of the
principle involved; hence, we say that
not all courts are honest, sincere and
free from the influence Of those evils
which surround them
That this is a just conclusion may
be determined BY a comparison of de
cisions rendered In trust" and labor
cases,
II seems that some of our courts
endeayor, or are willing TO make "fisn
of one and flesh of the other" for
some decisions handed down in trust"
cases are so dissimllar TO those in
"labor' cases. For instance when the
Standard Oil was brought to book for
Conspiracy in restraint OF trade"
when railroads we're found guilty of
rebatinE, when the meat. and other
trusts. were convicted of accepting re-
bates. and of being in conflict with the
antitrust law. They publish Just
what they pleased relative to the
case and conduct old the trial, an
were never censured for it: and
were then fined a nominal sum
it; and were then fined a nominal sum
for their grave offense. but never one
officer of any of those great instiuI-
tions so inimical to the wellbeing Of
our country, was ever sent to Jail And
when it was all over. they paid the fine
and then proceeded to raise the price
so that the people should not be denied
the privilege OF assisting in the pay
ment OF said fine. But not so with the
leaders and officers of the great and
beneficial American Federation Of La !
bor Wnen. after a prolonged and an
exhaustive trial those men were cor
Victed of the enormous crime (?) of |
contempt OF the order Of the court