The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-07-26
SAMUEL GOMPERS
SCORES COURT ACT
In Bitter Editorial Head oil
Labor People Dcnounces
Contempt Sentence.
JUSTICE WRIGHT ASSAILEO
He Declares Verdict Was
Reached Month Before 1t
Was Handed Down.

Washington. July 2J.-samuel Com.
pers. president OF the American Fed
Grafton OF Labor. in a lengthy signed
editorial IN the surrent issue 81 the
American Fcderatlonist. discusses the
recently announced decision Of Justice
Daniel Thew Wright posing prison
sentences of varying length on Com
pefs. Secretary Morrison ana John
Mitchell
In his astlclo President Gompers
secs into all the manifestations OF the
Internationally celebrated prosecutions
OF the labor leaders for alleged CON
tempt OF court. and reitcratcs his oft.
expressed belief that THO prosecution
has from the nrst been an infringe
ment Of the constitutionaily guaranteed
lights OF free speech and "a free press
In this connection President Com
pers cites Justice WriEhrs words In
reply 10 the defendants contention that
the supreme law OF the land guarantees
freedom OF press and speech namely
that the Constitution merely forbids
Congress to pass laws Infringing on
tie freedom OF press and speech but
does not in any way affect tho courts
Under this Interpretation Of the con-
stitutlonal guarantees. says President
Gompers. the way Is made clear for
courts TO impose any restrictions they
may sec fit upon publications of any
Kind as we'll upon public utterances.
Discusses All Phases.
President Gompers discusses the &C.
ton OF the court from the issuant,a
Of the now famous injunction which
forbade the publication in the Official
organ Of the American Federation OF
Labor OF the name of tho Bucks Stov.
and Range Company in the federation
so-called unfair list, TO the imposing
OF sentence on the labor leaders whom
the court alleged were In contempt be-
cause the prohibited publication con-
tinuei after the issuance OF the in
Junction. President Gompers says.
Judge Wrghts opinion is legal
document III To be carefully laid aside
with those already moldcrins in the
archives Of law Libraries, and which
may in the distant future. as is now
the case with similar ancient opinions
and decisions be revived and held up
as conspicuous Instances of ancient
sophistry affecting the divine right OF
kings who are chance!lors in their re-
!ation 10 the slave % serf.
THE opinion" say. President
Goinpers. is a document tina, reflects
with utmost olearness the k!ngly
viewpoint. the mental bias and the
mental processes that stands out so
consp icuously different from the con-
captions OF the rights OF citizenship
among our people.
1t sounds" says President Gompers.
like an echo from the kingly chan
ccllors opinions OF the Stuart judges
OF the seventeenth century Its pseudo
ndividuahstic political theory rever
berates like a voice from the tomb of
the vested interests philosophers"
cites Declaration.
Citing Justice Wrigh,s declaration
THAI the injunction was. not intended
to abridge the freedom OF speech or
press President Gompers quotes the
frequent Interpolation in the courts
opinion of para graphs. sentences and
parts OF articles from Issues Of the
American Federal onist, from reports
OF the federaiions executive council
and from statements OF its officers as
evidence in support OF his contention
that Justice Wright carefully read
eve G. published uttcrance OF the ar
ralgned labor leaders in his effort To
sustain the charge OF contempt
President Gompers quotes the words
Of former Federal Judge Henry c.
caldwell, who said that the jury and
Injunction are terms that cancel each
other. In proportlo mas the injunction
IS expanded, the right of jury trial
is restricted Armed with this
powerful writ which has no definite
boundary or limitation. and which
may be used at discretion, the power
OF the Federal chancellor may fairy
be characterized as imperial" He fol-
lows this quotation with the words OF
Judge James 3. Mcclure. in comment
ing upon the opinion Of Justice Wright:
THE decision of Judge Wright, OF
the Supreme Court OF the District OF
Columbia in the Gompers contempt
case is the most far-reaching step yet
taken to undermine and destroy the
freedom of speech and OF the press
guaranteed by the Federal Constitu-
tion.
Lends 10 Censorship.
Primarily ii is intended TO curb
the growing power of organized la
hor. if not to destroy the labor move
ment. but 1t cannot be limited TO that