Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1912-07-04
Compers and Morrison
Sentence Reimposed

..;ot Of Columbia, the case agains
President Gompers and Secretary Nor
.;son has reached a conclusion by tht
infliction of prison sentence of one
,oor for President dompers and si1
.,onths for Secretary Morrison for al
logad contempt Of court. Justice
Aonding down his decision on Monday
lime "a, 1912. John Mitchell, CO
defendant in the suit, not beig pres
.ort in court at the rendering of the
decision. and who was formerly sen
touced to nine months, did not receive
orv sentence at the hads of the judge
II is understood, however, that upon
Mr. Mitchell as culpable as the othel
,once will be pronounced, it being be
lieved that the former sentence OF
nine months will be reimposed, from
the fact that the opinion delivered by
the Judge indicated that he considered
Mr. Mithcell as culpabe as the other
tvo Federation officials. After the
-.iustice read his decision and imposed
tho sentences, attorneys for the Fed
Grafton gave notice of appeal. Bonds
uending an appeal were provided for
and the Federation officials will re-
main "at large until the higher court
has an opportunity to review the case.
Immediately after the cases were dis
Dosed of, President Gompers gave out
the following statement:
THE expected has happened. Jus
lice Wright has held Mr.. Mitchell. Mr..
Morrison and myself guilty of con-
tempt of court He has sentenced Mr..
Morrison to six months, and me to
twelve months imprisonment. When
Mr.. Mitchell can come to Washington
b, will receive his sentence. This deci-
sion typifes in an acute manner the
contention which labor has made
against the practice which has been
usugped by courts of equity in dealing,
not with property rights; but with
personal elations-normal personal
activities, practice entirely at var
lance with constitutional government,
with government by law. In this case
the Judge has acted the initialor OF
criminal contempt, appointed the at
DrneyS of private litigants to prepare
acOmplaint and prosecute it to Q con-
cusion The Judge has heard the
Evidence. He himself determined The
Tedibility of witnesses. He then for
nulated his decision and executed 1t
by imposing prison sentences. Facts
and the evidence in the case have been
suppressed and prevented, and the
purposes and motives of my colleagues
and myself entirely misrepresented.
There is not in the evidence, nor can
there be found therein or elsewhere,
On single fac. upon which to base the
statement Of Justice, Wright that we
have violated any law of the state
nation or the District Of Columbia.
We have contended that a court has
10 right in advance 20 enjoin or pre-
vent publication; that anyone who
speaks or publishes aything which Is
either sedltious or libelOus should be
made to answer before a law court
and before a jury, but theAattempt in
au'ance to prevent expression of opin-
ION either orally or by publication is
al unwarran.e ed invasion of constitu-
uOAally guaranteed rights. That for
Alch my associates and ] have been
~alendmg was for the maintenance
lle right of free speech and free
NesS and for these we are contending
aO' alone for the rights of the working
'sOple but the right of every citizen
" our country. Today it is the effort
lake from US the right of free
speeen and free press. If. that prac-
we is once established and conceded,
means sacred precedent" to be
wac against any citizen. 1t Is the
s'.S04Snment of censorship by a
''Nse acting as chancellor In the
s'ui' OF equity, the establishment of
s''s0nsl government as against gov
sunent by law, and as personal gov
aument establishes itself and adj
'aneeS' SO in the same degree is
'' ~ by law, government by
n. people forced back. Justice
hn. SUI 81. PHYSICALLY lives in our time,
MS ueclsion and sentences disclose
mental concept of more than two
a.. 'uiies ago, when tbs workman was
,. .asr slave or a serf. He does not
ss s,.1e mat the workmen of today, at
S Sss' IN tAe Unled States, are citizens
mns. every guaranteed right. of the
mo, 4'uuon' OF the laws, and the nor
hr @,.l'lles Of equality before the
ON, q, NY associates and / have ali
h, n'es been engaged in the efrort
Ss NY NY Protection and promotion Of
and 'sNsi moral, political, materia