The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1913-09-04
Echoes of The Class Struggle
PERSECUTION OF ANNA A.
MALEY IN WEST VIRGINIA.

(By Edward II. Kintzer State Secy.)
Editors Note: The details of Com
rade Maley's arrest at Monongah, W..
Va, August is, were given last week.
Later facts regarding her case are
given below, from tbs pen of Comrade
Kintzer)
The hearing was held in the mayors
court in Monongah Tuesday, August
10. Comrade Attorney Leeds of Fair
month and Mr. Duthie of Clarksburg
represented Comrade Maley. City At
torney Haggerty of Fairmont appeared
for the town of Monongah-or more
properly speaking, for the Consolida-
tion Coal company
Warrant was sworn out on affidavit
of Chief of Police William Finley. 1t
charged an attempt to hold a political
meeting without permit from the
mayor, and second, resisting arrest.
Comrade Leeds argued with cogency
and fine effect, the uaconstltutionality
of any ordinance prohibiting free
assembly and moved for a dismissal
of the case.
Haggerty eloquentiy insisted upon
the superiority of tie Monongah or
dinances to the United States consti-
tuition. He was sustained by Mayor
Price and the case went to trial.
No services had been made upon
the defendant, 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. AS a
matter of fact, the weather had been
her subject up to the time of Interrupt
ton as it was raining when she
mounted the box CAief Finley when
questioned upon the nature of the
speakers talk, mumDled in his stupid
and bludering way, She said right
smart, but l couldn't tell what it was"
|. The charges wele OF proved. Our
comra6o coE,d- = D. sAsly1 '-a'e cured
a dismissal upon these technicalities,
but it was deemed wise, after con-
sultation, to admit the charge of try
ing to hold a political meeting and
let the case rest. The defense called
no witnesses. The court assessed a
fine of twenty dollars and costs. An
appeal was noticed and Comrade
Joseph H. Snider gave bond in the
amount of fifty dollars.
The case, therefore, goes to the cir
cult court of Marion county.
The hearing at Monongah was had
next door to the Jail where Comrade
Maley spent two hours on Monday
night. Attorney Duthie requested
that the jail door be opened and many
comrades and others entered and saw
the iron cage into which Finley had
thrust his prisoner, placing her In
pitchy darkness behind double locks.
Water had leaked through the outside
door into the main corridor and in the
darkness cockroaches scampered hel-
ter skelter. In the cage were iron
cots, one chair and an uncovered toilet
jar. An uncased pillow and blanket
which had been stuffed through hole
for Comrade Maley's bed still lay un-
disturbed on the iron cot. The visit
ors issued from the Jail holding their
noses. The odor of the place can best
be compared to a badly kept outdoor
privy.
From this will be made test which
will determine whether or not West
Virginia is a part of the United States
and subject to it's constitutional law
and will once and for all settle here
the right of free speech and free as
semblage.
The following telegram has been re-
ceived by Comrade Maley from EX-
ecutive Secretary Lanfersiek
Wiring facts Governor Hatfield.
Demanding action. Will back you up"
Thus again the Socialist party takes
hand to compel recognition of a
citizens constitutional rights.