The Socialist and labor star. [volume] (Huntington, W. Va.) 1911-1915, 1913-08-22

! ing section around ClarkSbur3. 1t
also shows how Governors Hatfield S
guarantee of free speech is being res
pected by the coal baron and their
thugs:
| (By Edward H. Kintzer, State Secy)
Clarksburg, W. Va. Aug. 19.-Tele-
gram which follows gives briefly and
accurately the events which trans
pired in an attempt to hold a street
meeting at Monongah, w. Va, on the
evening of August Is; and the arrest
of Anna A. Maley:
Walter Lanfersiek, National Secty
Socialist Party, Chicago.
Il was arrested tonight in MonoGah
West Virginia, just following my clear
statement from the box that we would
hold no meeting on account of rain.
| was making a further announce
ment when man in civilians clothes
ordered me off the box. He displayed
no star nor insignia of office of any
kind, quoted no ordinance, presented
no warrant. | asked him to prove
his authority and stated that | vas
we'll within my rights. | stood on
the high street well off the pavement
within possibly thirty feet Of the
u. S. postoffice. My assailant paid no
attention to my words. He seized me
roughly and pulled me rom the box.
| resisted him; first, because | knew |
was within my constitutional rights;
second, he made no charge, and third
because he produced no proof Of any
kind that he was representative OF
the law. A colleague also in plain
clothes came to my assailant'S assist
ance. They dragged me several feet
and finally marched me between them
10 the jail and placed me in an IRON
barred cage in utter darkness. About
twenty minutes later dim light was
turned on. My arms are badly bruls-
ed. The officer offered my release Ii
Comrade Snider would pay my fine.
This we refused. Later the officer
came to me and offered TO let me 50
if | would not make any speeches. |
said | preferred TO consult counsel.
did not yet know what | was in jail
for. The officer told Snider of his
offer to me and | am told he asked
Snider to use his influence to get me
to come out. Snider paid seven
fifty forfeit money to the Mayor and
took receipt, refusing TO pay 1t as
fine. am to appear at 4 O'Clock to-
morrow nineteenth. The city IS
owned by coal company. Please
consult and advise 1t is time that
the Socialist Party put West Virginia
under the constitution of the United
States. Have sent copy of this wire
TO New York Call.
Anna A Ma!ey.
The hearing was held in the May
ors court in Monongah Tuesday, Aug.
19. Socialist Attorney Leeds Of Fair
mont and Mr.. Guthie of Clarksburg,
represented Comrade Maley. City
Attorney Haggerty OF Fairmont ap-
peared for the town of Mononeah-oF
more properly speaking. for the Con-
solidation Coal Company.
Warrant was sworn out on affidavit
of Chief of Police William Finley. 1t
charded, first: to hold political meet
ing without permit from the Mayor
and second, resisting arrest. Comrade
Leeds argued with cogency and fine
effect the unconstitutionality OF an
ordinance prohibiting free assembly
and asked for dismissal Of the case.
Haeeerty "eloQuently' insisted upon
the superiority of Monongah ordnan-
ces 10 the United States constitution.
He was sustained by Mayor Price.
and the case went 10 trial.
No service had been made upon
the defennant and no witness for the
city could tell what Comrade Maley
had said. whether her remarks up to
the time of her arrest had been upon
politics or about the weather-ihe
weather had been the subject as it
was raining when she mounted the
box.
The charges were not proved. Our
comrades could probably have secured
a dismissal upon these technicalitles.
but it was deemed wise. after consul
tation. to admit the charge Of trying
to hold political meeting and let the