The people's voice. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1939-1969, 1940-12-18
Civil Liberties

Press reports from Oklahoma week. related
had been convicted under the criminal syndicam law of that
state for having Communc literature his home He
fined SIS, 600 and sentenced to years in prison.
In September Robert Wood secretary
list party in Oklahoma tried under the law, convicted
and given the same sentence Tried along with him were more
than 1000 of the books which he had carried stock in his
bookstore which he conducted openly. Thryeight of the
books introduced and admitted in evidence student
from the University of Oklahoma who testify the
Defense that of almost all of the books with
Wood could be found IN the university library was not per-
mitted to testify
Persecution state of the religious Sect Jehovahs
Witnesses occurred early this year Sreter Stuart professor
in Southeastern State college at Duran urging him work
and against conscrpon Less than 80 later Stuart
summary dismissed from his position had
his opinion about consumption the letter his
sentative.
In every case of arrest the victims home was searched and
after the arrest, held ncommunicado
formed of the for his asked
to have bail fixed the magistrate fixed the bail for each one
100000 That each of these the officers of the
law constituted direct violation of the laws of the state
ignored.
this Kind have taken place in Oklahoma be explained
be that those who stand to profit from the development
of hystera and attendant manifestations of mob action
found that Oklahoma would provide sort of proving
ground experimental field where might gotten we'll
under way and then spread its poison.
ut happen here" On the books of
criminal syndicam law substantially the the Okla
homa law In of the of the Montana eg
ave assembly, one valiant member introduced bill for the
repeal of this monstrosty which the product the
hysera prevalent in this during the World AS
recalled by this writer the bill repeal the syndicasm
law was supported by the votes of three members.
Were only the clear provisions of this law invoked where
evidence clear and unmistakable that violated
might be tolerated However, laws this character loaded
with language and easily vehicles of persecu
ton by the ignorant and ntoeran swayed by propaganda
They easily used instruments the
guise of lawful procedure.
That important of the bill of rights
lated the actions in Oklahoma Importance all of the
people of country While various organizations al
ready interesting themselves in the unfortunate victims of
raroadng there and the will undoubtedly be carried
higher legal tribunals yet the disturbing fact remains that
all OF these people, SO prosecuted, could be temporarily
deprived of their freedom their homes violated their property
illegally seized and destroyed and opportunity them
by preudced courts to "have their day in court"
We do not believe that have public officials and courts
Montana who would act did the officers and
Oklahoma However, possible that have here in Mon
just people of the susceptible to mob hys
they have in Oklahoma And is to such that the
insdous emotional appeals of the aanges of these things
directed And before intelligent public officers take
control situations such obtain in Oklahoma might be deve
oped and suffering caused to many.
should be guard should have the and
intelligence from statute books law which
citizens with deprivation the privileges
under and national basic laws That
basic laws exist does adequately protect the humble
those unable their claims for protection by
hese to the high courts when have laws
books which those constitutional provisions
which be used in prosecutions d
Let write shameful history of prosecutions of the poor
md humble in state.
A SuU0act1on I