The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1922-11-06
The Rule in. Sanders Case

Some months ago U. s. District Judge ]. w. Ross mt
Memphis. petition of railroad lawyers. enloined the
striking shopmen in particular and the public in general
from discussion of the shopmen strike and other matters
Some weeks later Attorney General Daugherty obtained
from Federal Judge Wikerson, at Chicago an injunction
against striking railroad shopmen, officers OF various
labor organizations and the public in general forhddng
meetings such discussion of the strike as would tend
TO hearten the strikers.
About this time Jacob Cohen. editor of weekly paper
It Memphis. printed editorial unfavorably commenting
upon any who might take the places of striking shopmen
Cohen cited before Judge Ross for contempt and
after his arrest but before final disposition OF his case
the editorial opinion that Cohens constitutional right OF
free press had been invaded Whereupon Editor Sanders
was cited for contempt by Judge Ross IL must be
kept clearly in mind that Sanders citation not bot
toned upon either the Ross Daugherty Wlkerson in
functions but upon claimed principle of law that the
discussion of any while IT is pending In court Is
contempt
Editor Sanders appeared in court witnesses heard
and his put until November 10 for consid
GRAFTON upon written briefs The Sanders case presents
: simple issue May, may not, editor discuss any
Get of facts while they In controversy in case pend
ing before court? Editors lawyers and laymen in
this issue presented jeopardy Of the rights of freedom
constitution Others were not Similarly alarmed To
them the Sanders appeared to be single local
instance involving at most the question as to whether
Mr. Sanders should spend certain days In his office
q in Jail.
more recent incident indicates that il established the
rule In Sanders case would infringe upon free press
Here Is tho incident In the heat of the Rhode Island
onmpagn newspaper. the Providence News. charged
Gov. Beeckman, candidate for the U. s. senate, with
>aitica bribery The newspaper published affdavs and
hcsme reproductions of $500 bank notes and for
days continued its expose The editor and officers of tho
Uewspaper arrested warrant out by Gov.
Beeckman whereupon the editor of the News stopped
His expose explaining to his readers that II he continued
while the pending he would expose himself to
punishment for contempt of court The Star and others
Who do not believe in the rule in the Sanders do not
Believe that the editor of the News would be in such eop
nrdy. We doubt whether competent counsel would
advise him. Anyhow. the was set for hearing on
November 2. five days before the senatorial election
Meantime the News editor. believing himself to be
lied silent. November the editor in court with his
ocunse and with array of Witnesses asked immediate
lection day. Beechmans lawyers invoked the magic Of
~ aws delay and secured postponement until Novem-
~ cosins week Of tho Rhode Island campaign the brb
~ charyes. which the outstanding issue Of the
Dogn may not In the opinion of the editor Of the News,
- further discussed by him because he thinks Of the
Sanders and disagees with Editor Hennessey Of the Prov
ence News that the institution of lawsuit Is not suf
cient to make unlawful reasonable discussion of any
public question The Hennessey case is pending II
Hennessey Is right and Sanders Is the editor Of
The Star Is In contempt Of Judge Corham, Of Prov
8ence In whose court the Hennessey is pending,
because this editorial discusses Hennesseys pending
In this editorial have also made reference to Sanders
ease, which also is pending. Sanders Is wrong and II
Hennessey Is right the editor of The Star Is in
tempt of Judge Ross court In this editorial uncompli
mentary reference has been made to the Daugherty
Wkerson injunction. If Sanders IL wrong and Hennes
1ey right then the editor Of The Star in contempt of
II Hennessey is right and Sanders Is wrong poll
dcian's conduct pending legislation, attempt to
secure public franchises, scandal graft in the
pendturcs of the taxpayers other question of
sort which, thru the medium of bona fide of
framed-up lawsuit becomes pending case" may be
discussed by citizen In the street by editor in the
columns Of his newspaper without peril of being hailed
into court as for contempt and being fined imprisoned
or both
Only ho vscepre.Ident .
- vsa Coolidge only knows who fsw children