Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-03-10
United States Supremel
Court Upholds Sentence
of Socialist.
DEBS' MOUTH GETS
HIM IN TROUBLEi
Convicted Of Violation Of Mest 0rsst-
ie Section Of Federal Esplsnsss Lave
-court UphoIds Enlistment Ssetien
Of Espionage Aet-osbs Made Dis
loyal speech at Canton, O.--csrran
Editor Goes TO Prison.

Washington. March i0.--The su-
preme court today sustained the con-
vict,on OF Eugene V. Debs. socialist
leader found guilty OF violating the es-
in a speech Mt Canton. o., last June
and sentenced TO ten years imprison-
ment.
In deciding the case the court Ia af-
feet upheld the constitutionality of the
SO called enlistment section Of thA es-
pionsge act Of 1917. The opinion or
the court was unanimous.
As in the case Of the espoinags cases
.ecided last Monday the supreme
no specific ruling upon tho constitu-
tionallty OF the espionage act. The
court based its opinion entirely upon
that part Of the indictment charging
obstruction OF recruiting service. which
wos unanimously affirmed.
This part OF the act. which 10 Sec
tion 8 part !, IL the most drastic in the
measure and not only makes II q mis-
demeanor to circulate false reports for
the purpose Of interfering with mill
tary and naval operations and enlist
ments but also prohibits the utter
ances and writing Of "disloyai. profane.
scurrilous or abusive language about K
the American form OF government.
military forces. flag or uniforms or
which is intended to bring them into
contempt or intended to encourage re-
sistance to the United States or to
cripple the country in the prosecution
Of war.
Four Times Presidential csndidats.
Debs. four times candidAta fcr
president OF The United 6tAtes, wAs
| born In Terref Hsute, Ind. "a ysasa
ago For yeafx he was prominent ~
the flreman,s Brotherhood. playing an
active part in several big strikes. In.
1885 he was member OF tthe Indiana
legislature.
In 1900 he ran for president on the
social democratic ticket and he was the
candidate for the socialist party Ia
1904, 1908 and 1912.
The indictment on which Dehs was
convicted charged him with attempt
ing to inc!tc characterization. mutiny
and refusal of duty In the military and
naval forces" attempting to obstruct
recruiting and enlistments and with
uttering and publishing language in-s
tended to provoke and encourage re-
sistance to the United States. as well
as TO promote the enemy's cause.
When placed on trial Dcbs called no
witnesses in defense and made the
argument on his own behalf. In APP
pcaling to the supreme court he at
tackled evidence admitted at the trial
IN the lower court OF records from the
trial Of Rose Pastor Stokes and al
legged he had been tried on his state
OF mind Validity OF the espionagc
act also was attacked by Debs. who
contondod that 1t violated the rights
Of free speech.
Frohwerk Must Serve Sentences.
Conviction under the espionage act
OF Jacob Frohwerk. of Kansas City,
because or articles appearing s.ee5 Re
Missouri Stats Zietuug. OF which he
was editor. criticizing Americas par-
ticipation in the war, was upheld to-a
day by the supreme court in deciding
appeals brought from federal court
judgment sentencing him to ten years
Imprisonment,