The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-12
WITNESSES TELL
. OF WARTIME RULE !.
IN WEST VIRGINIA.
All Civil Laws Are Ig-
nOred in Strike
Zone. |
CONSTITUTION is
OPENLY VIOLATED
Senate Committee Hears Evil
dence Sufficient to Convince 1t
That Charges Are True-With
Soldierly Frankness, Off /
GERS of Militia Describe
Conditions.

Charleston, w. Va, June 1I.-War-
time rule in the coal strike regions
OF West Virginia was described before
the Senate mine investigating com
mittec here to-day. and after three
military officers had described condl-
tions. the committee expressed itself
satisfied as to the charge that the
"citizcns OF West Virginia had been
tried and convicted in violation of the
Constitution and laws Of tie United
States"
Two members of the military COM
mission. which, at the three different
times, assumed absolute dominion over
some $50 square miles of West Vir-
ginia territory, testified this afternoon.
They were Captain Charles X. Morgan,
n lawyer, and Major James l. Pratt,
VINO was president of the second mill
tary court which took charge of the
strike district. Both told the commit
tee that their proceedings were con-
Quoted without regard to the civil
laws or the state: that they arrested,
arrniSned, tried and convicted Offend
ers In the strike zone without recourse
10 process of the civil courts. and inn
posed sentences without regard to the
limitati Dns imposed by the statutes or
West Virginia
Believed 1t Actual Warfare.
trict was IN state Of actual warfare
said Captain Morgan, with soldierly
frarkncss, "and We acted according to
the procedure OF the United States
Army In ;in:e uf war"
Was there any indictment or any
other civil process presented against
these men?' asked Senator Borah
NO. answered Major Pratt. they
were arraigned on charges and speci-
hcattons prepared by the Judge advo-
| cate e-Gcneral."
! Senator Borah elicited that Captain
! Morgan, as a lawyer, believed there
was no appeal from the decision of the
commission. If approved by the Gov
! ernor. except to the Supreme Court of
| the United States
Return Secret VerdIctn.
Senator MARITIME ascertained that af-
ter the commission had heard the tes-
timony In case. IL went into secret
session, executed sealed findings after
the manner OF a verdict and sent them
To the Governor.
Then the poor devil did not know
what YOU had done witch him until he
was gobbled up and carted away to
the penitentiary?" suggested the New
Jersey Senator.
That's right" answered Captain
Morgan and the spectators smiled.
Ii was developed that as many as
forty-nine accused men were tried at
one time by the commission
There was no opportunity given
man to secure n new trial on the dis
covery of new evidence; no opportunity
to give bail; no possibility of the issu-
ance of a stay of execution; your de-
cislon was first. last and finale" sug-
gcsted Mr.. Monnet
Yes" answered Captain Morgan.
My understanding was said Cap
tain Morgan. that during this state
OF insurrection which prevailed. the
Constitution of the State of West Vir
ginia has been suspended by the acts
, OF these men who We're burning. kill
Ing and destroying property. We be-
licvcd these men had suspended the
Constitution. and that in order to per-
petuate the state OF West Virginia and
restore the Constitution. we were JUS
;ified in using extreme measures"
Captain Morgan declared that the
military commission believed it's au-
thority was unlimited under the gen
tral order issued b. Governor Glass
cock.
Eoth Captain Morgan and Major
fCopt,pued op r,Ievepth Joo.-aN