The Mankato free press., 1917-11-16
e Comstock Discusses
'mits Of Free Speech
CURB ON THE DISLOYAL
November Term of District
Court Was Convened Dur.
ing Forenoon

In his charge to the grand Jury
this morning, Judge w. L. Comstock
OF the district court directed the at
tentlon of the jury to certain new
laws that had been enacted by the.
state legislature to fit these times of
public crisis. The right of citizens to
express their thoughts by speech and
in print was not measured by the
same rules as in times of peace and
In times when there was no public
crisis. In times like these there
must be great restrictions on the
right of communication by writing or
speaking, that may have any ten
dency directly or indirectly to in
terfere with the exercise of govern
mental functions. Communications
that in time of peace were passed by
practically without notice, in time of
war or crisis became offenses against
the country
There seemed, the court said, to
be tendency towards the organiza-
tion of men who were opposed to all
legal restraint. Men had been COM
PEELED to join such organizations by
threats of violence. These organiza-
tions appeared to have in view a pro-
gram of affecting their purposes
through force and violence. Any
such an organization was dangerous
to the welfare of the country.
The legislature had provided some
what specifically for the restriction of
such organizations. The court called
attention to chapter 215 of the laws
of 1917.
The calendar was called and cases
set for trial. The calendar is quite
lengthy.
Referred to the I. w. w.
The court referred specifically to the
Industrial Workers of the World This
organization had branches under various
other names. 1t sought to accomplish it's
ends through violence and the exercise Of
terrorism. The constitution and rules of
the order required a man to take oath to
carry out the tasks allotted to him by
the officers and agents of the order. The
tendency of the order was to malign the
flag of the country. 1t bound the man to
carry out whatever tasks might be as
signed to him. Wherever men were found
who were soliciting membership in such
order they were doing SO in viola ton
of the law The time had come when it
was necessary for the preservation of
peace and the welfare of the people that
a check should be placed on such propa-
ganda.
The court instructed the grand jury
that it was not only it's duty to inquire
into offenses that could be tried in that
court but should also inquire into the
administration of the affairs of the public,
and find out If any officers were negli-
gent in detecting and hunting down such
acts as these.
Called Attention to Laws.
The court also called attention to chap
ter 463 of the laws of 1917 in regard to
any person attempting to dssuade men
from enlisting in the military or naval
service of the United States, law hat
had been in effect since April 90 1917.
The grand Jury was instructed that its
duty covered more than investigation of
offenses triable by this court. 1t was it's
duty to investigate and report on viola
tions Of United States lew. He smoke If
the act of congress approved on June -.
1917, in regard to any person DOING INV
spy work and giving information dir >tlv
or indirectly TO the enemy concernir~ the
defenses of the United States, or any Of
it's military or naval secrets
M. o. Hatcher was appointed foreman
of the grand jury: Will A. johnson was
appointed secretary, and Fra~t Randall
was appointed grand iurv hailiff.