The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-08-22
lest We Forget

1900
Today is the third anniversary of the sacrlfce OF
sacco and Vanzett on the altar of justice, MaSSa-
chusets style The writer discussing the case with
ex-Premier Cailaux of France day or so after the
execution in 1927. NJ Caillaux expressed himself
warmly on the subject and predicted that the Amer
lean people would one day arise and this blot as
the French had done in the case of Dreyfus Callaux
knew his France better than the United States.
Yet we should not let this judicial murder be OBJ
liberated from our national memory. Judge IhayerS
"anarchistic bastards" not be recalled from the
grave but the memory of their martyrdom may help
to prevent the recurrence of another similar atrocity
The anniversary of the Sacco-Vsnzeth execu-
ton is particularly interesting this year in the light
Of the dissolution Of the states case against Mooney
and Billings. This situation offers the only close
rival to that of Sacco and Vanzetti as a fragrant
and tragic miscarriage of justice The prosecutions
evidence against the California labor leaders is now
crumbling to the ground. 1t is doubtful if even
California will dare to keep them locked up any
longer.
II was lucky for Thayer, Katzmann, Fuller, Lowell
and company that Sacco and vanzetti we're safely
nut out of the way or humiliation might have come
IN then, similar to that which has been the lot Of
Fickert and Cunha. The witnesses against Sacco
and Vanzetd we're of no better fiber than Oman,
Macdonald Estelle Smith, the Edaus and Crowley
The trial testimony was less convincing than that
which convicted Mooney and Billings.
There are many simlarities in the two cases Katz-
mann and Fickert both waved the flag. Both Bill
ings and vanzett were represented as men Of GRIM
inaI record but the former framed and the lat
ter convicted in a burlesque of trial The alleged
criminal record was made large of TO convict Bill
inrs and Vanzetu as we'll as Mooney and Sacco. The
evidence in both cases confused. unreliable and
contradictory No trustworthy evidence has con-
nected any one Of the four men with the crime of
which they were accused Iron-clad alibs existed for
sacco and vanzetti and Mooney. Conviction was due
in Part TO absence of competent counsel in the orig
inal trials
There is one great difference. Judge Franklin
Griffin who tried Mooney has repudiated the whole
nasty affair and has worked hard for decade to
wash the Flemish from the good name Of California
and to see that justice is done to these two men,
whatever their economic opinions. Judge Thayer has
attempted to capitalize his collision in the judicial
murder cg Sacco and vanzetti and has proudly &C
cepted the plaudits of public gatherings as they
cheered devoted patriot and lover of justice. We
believe that one day California viii be proud
OF Franklin Griffin than Massachusetts, viii be Of
Webster Thayer-
Hence. We may welcome the commemoration of the
third anniversary Of the execution which viii be held
in Boston and New York. But these occasions should
never be allowed to degenerate into Communist ha-
rangues. Men of the stature Of Otis. Jefferson,
Franklin and the like should decorate the rostrums
and voice their condemnation
The wickersham commission might well be re-
minded by the anniversary exercises that the Sscco-
vsnzstti episode offers challenge that no commits
son law enforcement in America can well ignore.