Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-11-03
LAWYERS AGREE
WITH JUDGE REID
OPINION ADOPTED WHICH
CENSURES GOVERNOR
SEVERELY

an hour and half, adopted a re poT
to present to the public relative to thu
controversy that has arisen between
Judge A. H. Reid and Gov. j. J. Blaine
respecting the recent pardon OF Petel
Christ by the governor and OF thell
views upon the merits OF that con
troversy.
"The facts, some of which are no
generally known, are the following;
There was at Rhinelander strike
against the Rhinelander Paper compa-
ny. Ueter Christ never was an EN-
ploye but was active on behalf oil
the strikers. So long as the strike
was peaceaDle it was legal. However
the places of the strikers were filled
by the company and the strikers instl-
gated by Christ, were both threaten
ing and insulting to peaceful employees
going to and returning from work.
Violated Order
"In this situation an injunction was
issued against Peter Christ and many
others merely enjoining them from UNI
lawfully interfering with peaceful Ia
borers while going to and returning
from their work at the paper mills
Peter Christ wilfully violated this in
junction and assembled a large crowd
at Rhinelander, took the order OF the
court, which was served upon him, and
in their pre2ence tore 1t into pieces
and informed that that showed how
much attention he paid to the couEt or
der. He was brought before the court
charged with contempt OF court. He
admitted violation of the injunction
and for his fragrant contempt of court
was sentenced to four months in Jail.
A short time before the sentence ex-
tpired, on application therefor, the
governor issued pardon OF Christ
and directed the sheriff to discharge
him.
'In issuing the pardon the govern
stated: ITO continue this man in
prison alter the strike. out of which
the contempt proceedings grew, has
long been settled, will only give force
TO the fast growing public opinion that
the law is an instrument against the
weak and In favor of the strong.
"As a matter of fact the instigators
of this strike insist that 1t is still
in force.
at was the opinion of Judge Reid
that the governor had no jurisdiction
to pardon for this contempt and that
the simple way tc test the question
was for Peter Christ to bring hG oeas
corpus proceedings against the sheriff
for his release. But instead of favor
ing this the governor threatened the
sheriff with removal from office II he
obeyed the court and not the governor.
"on this appearing to be the situa-
ton Judge Reid wrote to Gov. Blaine
the following letter from Merrill on
October 2S;
Honorable John j. Blaine,
Madison. Wis
My Dear Governor;
In relation to the pardon of Peter
Christ | suggest that the question in
volved Is one of grave Importance to
the courts and the executive power of
this state, and that the question ought
to be resolved by the Supreme Court
i'm the most direct and simple way.
This can be done by Mr.. Christ's in
stituting proceedings to obtain a writ
of habeas corpus, Since this question
involves the power of two distinct de-
partments OF the government, ] am III
clined to think that the Supreme Court
would take original jurisdiction and
dispose of the case promptly, / very
much want the Supreme Court TO pass
on the question. and | know that other
Circuit judges feel the same. Ii | am
wrong in the position | take | want
TO know II and | assume you feel like
wise IL you are wrong. The case
can not be disposed of by newspaper
notoriety.
IL is, OF course, unfair TO the sherin
of Oneida county. who is endeavoring
TO do his duty to the best of his abil-
ity, to suggest that he might be re-
moved from Office. This is merely set
ting back fire.
Very truly yours,
A, II. REID
''In the reply of the governor to this
letter he charged Judge Reid with
intermeddling through arbitrary jude
ial power with the duties of the sheriff
and with refusing 10 proceed accord.
ing 10 law,
Facts Sufficient
"These facts require no discussion
They demonstrate that the situation
which they portray imperitively de-
mand the proceedings instituted
against Peter Christ for his fragrant
and insulting defiance of the Lawful
and necessary order of the court is
sued 10 prevent further acts of con
tempt OF the authority of the court ant
Of the law that the court was enforc
ing: and also TO prevent the condition
of lawlessness and violence that woul,
inevitably follow II such contemp
We're not rebuked and restrained; an,
thesentence Of Imprisonment that tn
court imposed upon the offender. VIII,
admitted his offense. was richly de
served. AS II was imposed for con
tempt of court and not for melting no
participating in the strike II is mani
fest that the alleged termination o
the strike. before the expiration @
the term of Imprisonment, could pre-
sent no logical reason for shortenin
the term OF punishment for that con
tempt.
at follows. therefore. that the gov
ernor's pardon in the premises coul
subserve no just nor useful purpos
but was mischievous and manifest
calculated 70 undermine and impai
the authority OF the courts and tina
raSnRpt for THAR fnct daNtSfnnp uvhfa