The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-02-09
And Promptly Apologies to
Justice Wright.
Was JUST BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Nettled Because He Was Kept
From Going Home.
Judge Says Application Came
as a Demand.

Washington, Feb. 9.=John Mitch
| ellis trial for contempt of court, in
which he was involved with Samuel
| Gompers and Frank Morrison, officials
of the American federation of labor in
connection with the Bucks Stove and
Range boycott case, took a dramatic
| touch at the hearing today. Mr. Mitch
ell had seemed to be criticising JUS
| tice Wright, before whom he is on
trial, and the justice had displayed
some impatience with his critic.
Let me explain this said Mr..
Mitchell. Il have much in my heart
which I never have said, which has
perhaps no place in these proceedings
AT the time l was summoned to Wash
ington to appear before this court for
judgment, L faced a long term in pris-
on, it was on the day before Christ
mas eve. l was living in New York.
had not seen my family and child
rem who were in Illinois, for two
months. I had bought and packed in
my grip toys and gifts for my child
rem. I was summoned to Washington
the decision be postponed. 1t was
not. was brought here and SEN
fenced.
He Felt Outraged.
I had merely done what I believed
was my right under the government
my father had sought to uphold. So
when / appeared and was sentenced
and discussed it afterward I could not
attempt to and did not disguise my
feelings at being sentenced on the day
before Christmas, and / felt outraged
that I did not receive the same con-
sideration that would have been given
the worst offender in the land
Mr. MITCHELL said Justice Wright,
you have shown some bitterness to-
ward the court for the manner in
which you were sentenced. What reas-
on have you for believing that the
court knew of your request for a post
ponement?"
Il wrote to the president of the
American Federation of Labor and
asked it, replied Mr.. Mitchell. Il
supposed that my request had been
conveyed to the court
mo request was conveyed to the
court replied the justice 1T came
as a demand There was an atmos-
phere of antagOniSm about it. 1t was
a demand from the vice president of
the American Federation of Labor for
a postponement. I did not think he
had any more right to demand it than
any other man.
Attorney Parker for Mr.. Mitchell, |
that there had been a mis- |
take and asked who presented the de- !
mand. Justice Wright explained that
a Washington lawyer had approached
him in chambers.
IT have been under the impression
that my request was conveyed to the /
court and was denied. If I have been
wrong in that [ would not do the court |
an injustice. and I regret that I made
it appear so, said Mr.. Mitchell.
Washington, D. c.. Feb. 9.-Presfdent !
Gompers was excused from the witness
stand to permit John Mitchell to testify
in their contempt case. Mr.. Mitchell
stated under oath that he had not
signed editorials and circulars from the .
American Federationist in the boycott ,
case from which his sentence for con-
tempt developed, but he did not dis
claim co-responsibility for them. He
was asked about his speeches at To-
ronto and Indianapolis in which ne
scored the injunction issued by Justice
Gould and tha contempt sentences i'm
posed by Justice Wright.
Mr.. Mitchell looked intent1y into the
face of Justice Wright as he began. He
spoke quietly but feeIingly.