The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-04-06
DANIELS, PARTISAN, PUGNACIOUS, AND INTENSE

liz was something more to talk about
with the story. On the following Sun
day I saw Mr.. Bryan at the New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church. BE mighty
|circumspect, Daniels. he remarked. or
you may get ne into trouble We have
been intimate friends, might say, ever
since approved his progressive ideas
free coinage of silver. He has visited
me and I have visited him."
Why He Was Fined $4,000.
''Hou defied the United States several
years ago." / said. land were actually
sentenced to jail?'
North Carolina owns a railroad from
the seacoast to the city Of Goldsbcro. II
is managed by a man appointed by the
Governor. The United States judge in
cur district, on his own motion. declared
the road bankrupt and appointed two re-
ceivers. ! called the act a steal in my
newspaper. Also l referred TO the re-
ceivers as the judges pals. Unborn
generations l declared. were being rob-
bed of their birthright by a midnight
compact. The judge fined me s., 800.
I'll live and die in JAIL told the Judge
In open court. before 1 shall ever pay a
cent Of that unjust and disgraceful fine.
My lawyers begged me to keep quiet.
They were In fear that the judge would
soak me again. But l said all that I
wanted to, just the same.
1.-THE United States marshal took me
to his office. Democrats poured into the
room. They wanted to liquidate the fine.
Along toward night the marshal went to
the Judge. If I lock Daniels up he
said. I'll be lynched. II you insist on
your order being carried out, you will
be lynched. But I'll do my duty. de-
mand, however, that you give me a writ
ing signed by yourself The Judge told
the marshal ne had heard the proceed
ings In court and a writing wasn't
necessary. And there the matter stood.
II remained three days in the custody
Of the marshal. We had a room with
two beds in 1t at hotel. Meanwhile
my attorneys were busy. The Judge had
said there was no appeal. Two OF my
lawyers happened to be in Washington.
They saw Mr.. Chief Justice Fuller. of the
Supreme Court. He advised them to take
me before the new United States circuit
Judge in North Carolina on writ of
habeas corpus. That was done. The cir
cult Judge discharged me. So didn't go
to Jail. Away back in 1885 Missouri
editor was sent to prison for contempt
of court by a United States Judge. 1t
was a fragrant case of judicial tyranny.
James Buchanan, then a United States
Senator, introduced a bill that passed
Congress which limited contempt of court
to acts committed in the presence OF the
court or to acts interfering with the
processes of the court. My editorials
were not written in the presence of the
court, nor did they obstruct the opera
tions Of the tribunal. I admit, however,
that they were hot examples of passion
ate composition"
Sought Safety on an Island.
mother and her three little sons. one
Of whom was Mr.. Daniels himself. then
an infant, were refugees on an island
Off the Carolina coast during the civil
war. They had lived in the town Of
Washington. on the banks Of a river
that empties into Pimlico Sound. THE
Confederates bombarded the place and
then the Federals bombarded it, Mr..
Secretary Daniels said to me, where
upon my mother fed. My father. a ship
builder, was helping the Confederacy
build. and repair war vessels at the port
of Wilmington. He died in a short time.
leaving us in poverty. though my mother
had a farm worth $500 and little home
In Washington. She is still living and
will soon visit me. One of her sisters
resided at Wilson. about 100 miles dis