Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-03-30
GOMPERS ASKS WHY
Discusses Justice Wright's At
titude Toward Senators.
TAKES THE COURT TO TASK
Claims That Same Course Was Not
Followed as in the Contempt !.
Case Of the A. +. Of /.

Justice Wright is charged by Samuel
Gompers with having sidestepped the is
sue as to Jurisdiction presented by the
ignoring of his writ by the Senate Of the
United States for fear Of the conse-
quences. while at the same time impos-
ing sentence Of Imprisonment upon
representatives Of organized labor for q
less pronouncedly .contemptuous proceed
ing.
The charge Is made by Mr.. Gompers in
the current issue Of the Federationist,
official organ of the American Federation
or LABOR He quotes from Jefferson a
warning that the dissolution of the gov
ernment lies in an irresponsible judiciary,
and declares the present attitude Of the
District Supreme Court verges danger
ously on the conditions foreseen by that
statesman.
1t Is asserted by President Gompers
that under the decision Of the Supreme
Court there is now no distinction recog-
nized in the law between flesh and blood
and soul dhe workers, in the disposition
of their labor power). on the one hand,
and on the other the corporations and
combination owning, cornering and gam
bling in cattle, iron and coal, In all the
material products-the necessities of life
Prediction Verified, Gompers Claims.
After reviewing the circumstances in
cident to the federation officers being
declared In contempt in connection with
the now famous boycott cases, and the
subsequent action Of Justice Wright in
sentencing them to terms of imprison-
ment, Mr.. Gompers takes up the recent
mandamus proceedings against the joint
printing committee OF Congress in con-
nection with certain paper contracts. and
says:
AT the time we asserted Justice
Wright would insist upon his jurisdic-
ton, but that he would dismiss the
writ on Its merits. and would arraign
the Senate committee or the Senate,
was acting, to appear before him and
answer for contempt Of his order And
so 1t has come to pass. Justice Wright
asserted the jurisdiction of his court
the writ 'on its merits
yielding to Justice ,Wright.s assump-
adds. has helped to Establish pre- e.
cedent that may. and no doubt will,
return to plague that august body.
The time must come when the
AAouSC VI Representatives Will De com.
posed of men not quite so faint-hearted
as those who surrendered it's independ-
ent and coordinate rights.
The Court and the Senator's.
IF ever men placed themselves in con-
tempt Of court, the committee of the
Senate. and afterward all the senators,
placed themselves in that position and
yet what has Justice Wright done with
these conternners? The mere fact that
he later dismissed the writ does not
change the situation one jot. If he had
the authority and the jurisdiction to is
sue the writ, the senators were bound to
obey, and in refusing to obey they were
In contempt. II they were in contempt,
why does he not exercise his power and
fusal to obey his mandate?
Justice Wright has not hesitated or
failed to hale other men before him for
alleged contempt Of court, to punish and
sentence them to long terms Of imprison
ment. when merely standing on their
rights as citizens.
Why should he hesitate in the case Of
United States senator's? The reply is
that he realizes that If he attempted to
bring the senators before his bar for
contempt 1t would raise q storm Of in
dignation and resentment throughout the
country. The courts invasion of the do
main of the legislators. as well as the
domain of the constitutional rights OF the
citizen. would be thrashed out In such a
manner as would bring the entire issue
of judicial usurpation to the forefront to
be settled, and settled right