Willmar tribune., 1909-09-22
THE SENTENCE.
Warren was sentenced to pay
fine Of $500, the cost Of the
prosecution and to serve six
months in the Fort Scott jail.
By GEORGE II. sHOAF.

By GEORGE III. SHOAF.
No court in the history OF jurispru-
dence ever presented scene more re-
pete with dramatic interest than that
witnessed in the federal building at
Fort Scott, Kan, Thursday afternoon,
July "a, when. in response to Judge
Pollock's invitation to show cause why
sentence should not be pronounced.
Fred D. Warren. editor Of the Ap-
peal to Reason, arose and began to
speak. The last bit of uncontradicted
evidence disclosing the bias and preju-
dice Of the jurors who convicted War
rem had been introduced. The last ar
gument in behalf of justice for the de.
fendant had been made by his attor-
neys. Bone and West of the prosecu-
tion had declined to reply to Darrow
and Boyle. Judge Pollock had just de-
livered his decision overruling the mo-
tons for an arrest of Judgment and
new trial. Everything that could be
said and everything that could be done
to reverse the processes of the court
and snatch victory from defeat had
been said and DONE
Unconquered Client.
Tense We're the feelings Of the spec
tators as Warren faced the court. In
stlnctively it was realized that some
thing was about to happen. but just
what it would be no one could think
or say. The benign face of Clarence
Darrow, the celebrated lawyer who in
hundred courts has championed la
boris cause and whose voice from a
thousand platforms has been lifted in
behalf of the poor and oppressed, show
ed concern, as did the faces of his as
sociate attorneys, when it became evil
dent that their defeated but uncon-
quered client was about to initiate ac-
ton in his own behalf. The govern
ments agents and attorneys looked as
If red flag had been unexpectedly un-
folded or bomb was about to be hurl-
ed, and they cringed speechless in their
chairs. Judge Pollock himself, his eyes
fastened on the figure before him, his
countenance plainly revealing the con-
ficting emotions of his mind, sat as if
stricken dumb.
Voice Rang Like Clarion.
Eyes, your honor, there are some rea-
sons why sentence of the court should
not be pronounced"
With his hands on the table before
him and his eyes looking straight and
fearlessly into those Of the court,
Warren's voice rang like a clarion as
he began a speech as remarkable as it
is without parallel. The unexpected
ness Of the proceeding and Warrens
boldness Of utterance astounded Judge
Pollock. Once or twice Prosecuting
Attorney Bone looked appealingly at
the court as if the latter dignitary
ought to foreclose on the speakers re-
marks, but the court was too preOccu
pied with amazement to except. 10 q
silenced judge and in the presence OF
an audience whose very breathing
could neither be felt nor heard cap
1talisms most prominent victim an(
labor's uncompromising champion pro
ceeded with the uncovering of the
causes that had led to his conviction
Never in his life had Judge Pollock
listened to speech like this; never
in the history of jurisprudence wa:
there speech like this made in j.:
federal court.
Situation Dramatic Beyond Words.
Warren represented in the concret'
the agony and woe. the blood and tear
OF the working class Of the world. H.
typifed the issue between the rulin,
class and those who are fighting tn
age-long war for human emancipation
Through him We're voiced the outrage
sentiments Of men, women and chi
dren who in the field, factories an,
mines do the work Of the world AM
who in some way would protes
against the methods by which tn
wealth their work creates is take
from them and given to those VIII
labor not. Here in this federal cOur
the strongest bulwark Of the systel
that is responsible for the agony an
blood and outraged sentiments, Wal
rem, already convicted and about
receive sentence, faced without hesits
ton and without tremor the fes
and blood embodiment Of capitalism
mighty power and challenged him
do his worst.
Would Vote For Him For President
Warren's speech climaxed his d.
fense and clinched it irrefutably in til
consciences of his auditors. If thel
had been any doubt as to the injustit
of the prosecution and the animus an
origin of it. this doubt rapidly dispelle
as the speech proceeded. After Sci
tence was pronounced and the prison'
was admitted to bail pending an a
peal John III. Crider, one Of the mo
prominent Republicans in Fort SEQ
and probably in secret society circl
the most influential man In Kansa
who had listened to Warren's addres
came forward and volunteered to sif
his bond. The offer was accepte
Downstairs after adjournment Of cou
group of men, Democrats and 4
publicans, united in open indorseme
of the speech and uqqualifedly e
pressed their admiration for the mi
who made 1t.
"lf ever that man runs for preside
he will get my vote" declared one
those who participated in the disc
sion.
Tribute From a Juror.
"Darrow's argument and Warre
speech put this case in differ
light" said r. J. Finley, one Of
-