Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-01-22
Of Laws from Gompers,
Mitchell and Morrison.
Remarkable Tirade Is Published
Against Judge Wright.
will Not Ask for Mercy".'-Accept
The Fall Responsibility.

Washington, Jan. Five have not
asked, and will not ask for c'emen2T,
and we hope our friends Will not urge
us to pursue such a course. Loving
liberty as free men do, as We do. 1t
cannot be difficult to appreciate what
incarceration in prison would mean to
us. To ask pardon would render use
less all the trial and sacrifice which
our men of labor and our friends in all
walks OF life have endured, that the
rights and liberties of our people might
be restored. Such a pardon would only
leave the whole case in confusion and
it would have to be fought over again
from the beginning
This is some of the language used IN
a remarkable statement signed by
Messrs. Gompers, Mitchell and Nor
rison in the current number of the
American Fedcrationist, informal pro-
tests against the action of Justice
Wright in sentencing them to lmprlS-
onment for contempt of court in the
Bucks Stove and Range case, Dec. ~.
President Gompers heads his statement
Judge Wrights denial of free speech
and free press and he declares I'VE
will not bate a single word nor take
letter back
Mr. Gompers refers to the ''intemperate
and vindictive spirit displayed by the
Justice" and to this TRADE of judicial
abuse ana misrepresentation" in seps.-
arate statement. but he joins with Messrs-
Mitchell and Morrison in declaring that
thew would. not "enter into competition
with the honorable court in the use OF
invectiyes, rancor or scathing denuncil-
ton" in that they should protest
against the courts unprecedented and
unwarranted hagellation of the cause ard
of the people we have the honor to rep
resent
That the trio of labor leaders tnlly
understand the responsibility they as
sumo in making their statements Is
shown by their declaration that even
though they may be helu in additional
contempt, I'VE are willing to accept the
consequence 1t may be necessary to the
preservation of the liberties of the people
that a Judge should be disobeyed. Judges
sometimes usurp power and become ty-
rants. Disobedience to a tyrant is obe-
dience to law"
Here is another statement:
when a judge issues an injunction
like that in the Bucks Stove and
Range Co, it is the judge who dciies
the law and not the citizens who re-
fuse obedience to his injunction man.
dates, which would deprive men OF
their constitutional rights"
The statement enters into close
analysis of the injunction case and il
is asserted that Mr.. Mitchell was no;
at the labor meetings which directed
the circular attacking the Buck Stove
and Range Co.. and that he did not
sign or have knowledge of it's circula-
ton 1t is asserted that Mr.. Gomper:
removed the name of the firm fron
the 1--WE don't patronize" list as soor
as the injunction became operative
and had no intent to defy the order
of the court by it's discussion. FINAL!
in conclusion, it is said, eve are not
disrespectfu to the courts when W,
protest against a wrong decision
rather are we helping the courts tt
maintain their proper dignity by point.
ing out when a judge steps from the
path Of dignity and right and JUS
ticc"