Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 May 1907 — GIVES LABOR A REPLY [ARTICLE]

GIVES LABOR A REPLY

President Writes Another Letter Referring to the “Undesirable Citizen" Mattes HE WANTS EXACT JUSTICE DONE Heady to Help Right Any Miscarriage in the Steunenberg Case. pints That the Miscarriage Is More Likely To Be in Favor of Moyer and Haywood Than Otherwise. Boise, Ida., May 9.—William t). Haywood, secretary apd treasurer of the Western Federation of Miners, has been placed on trial for complicity In the murder at Caldwell, Ida., on Dec. 10, 1905, of former Governor Frank Steunenberg. Haywood is one of four defendants charged with the murder.

New York, May 6.—ln a letter read before the Central Federated Union President Roosevelt states that if evidence is submitted to him showing that there has been a miscarriage of justice for or against Moyer and Haywood, awaiting trial at Boise, Ida., charged with the murder of ex-Govern-or Steunenberg, he will bring such evidence to the attention of the attorney general for such action, if any, as it may be in the power of the federal authorities to take. Hie communication was the formal reply of the president to the committee of the union which recently called upon the president at Washington and requested him to set forth in general his attitude toward the accused men and specifically why he had referred to Moyer and Haywood as “undesirable citizens.” President Is Championed. In making his report the chairman, John Henry, said that the committee had spent more than an hour with the president, at which time the matter in hand was thoroughly discussed. The president signified his intention of formally replying In the letter which the chairman then read. Following the reading there was an animated discussion during which the chairman and William Coakley, another member of the committee, stoutly championed the attitude of the chief executive. It was finally voted to send a copy of the letter to counsel for Moyer and Haywood. The presidents letter began by quoting from a letter he wrote to the attorney general March 25, 1906, In which he says of the Moyer-Haywood case: “Our duty is (if it should ever happen that we had any power in the matter) to see that exact justice is done these men. • • • The sole question as regards Moyer and Haywood must be the question whether or not they can be shown to be guilty’ of this particular act, and.their legal rights must be as carefully safeguarded as those of any other men. It is alleged that they were extradited from Colorado in a manner that amounted to a betrayal of their legal rights.”" He asks information from the district attorneys of Colorado and Idaho on the point, and whether there is any disposition to deny the men their legal rights. “INTEMPERATE VIOLENCE” So He Calls the Words of Debs and Other I<abor Advocates. The letter to the attorney general then proceeds: “On the other hand I should like to know whether there Is any symptom of a miscarriage of justice in their favor. The intemperate violence with which the socialistic or labor papers like that of Debs, and I am sorry to say some labor organizations, have Insisted, without any knowledge of the facts, upon treating these men as martyrs to the cause of labor has unquestionably resulted in tremendous pressure being brought to bear upon the authorities of Idaho to discharge or acquit them whether guilty or innocent. “So far as the unions are anxious only to see that exact justice la done thepe men; that they are given their full legal rights and not condemned unless proved gpllty of this specific act, they are entitled to the cordial co-op-eration of all just and fair-minded citizens. So far as by any action, or by murderous and treasonable language such as that quoted above from Debs (and others), they tend to bring pressure to bear upon the state authorities and the courts, to obstruct the course of justice, and to render it difficult to convict the men if guilty, they are equally without stint to be condemned; and anything that the federal authorities can do in either event to further the cause of justice is to be done.” The president's letter than says: “In response to your question it is, I trust, needless for me to say that if at any time you or any one els? can submit to me any evidence showing that there has been a miscarriage of justice for or against Messrs. Moyer or Haywood, which you believe it is in my power to remedy, I will at once bring such evidence to the attention of the attorney general to have him give it the fullest consideration and to take thereon such action, if any, as It may be In the power of the federal authorities to take.” ....... ..'aLxi.

BOISE IS FULL OF PEOPLE Every Room la Town Engaged for Lawyers, Witnesses or Reporters. Boise, Ida., May 6.—Practically every available room in Boise, the Cap-

... —* i-. ital city of Idaho, has been reserved for lawyers, witnesses or newspaper men in attendance on the court which will try William Dr. Haywood on the charge of murder of ex-Governor Steunenberg. While there is little or no public discussion of tbe case the undercurrent of Interest runs strong and every in-coming train brings additions to the very large number of people connected with the 'case who are already on the ground. Counsel for the prosecution, James H. Hawley and Senator W. 18, Borah, who have been engaged especially, are of tbe opinion that there- will be no further delay. An appllcanon for a bill of particulars,filed by the defense,.will be argued today befoi-e Judge Fremont Wood, who will try the Haywood case, but as his decision is not appealable it is not thought that ibis will cause any postponement The history of the cases of the men charged with.the murder of Steunenberg shows much delay, all of which has treen necessarily expensive to the state of Idaho and to the defense. Tjie opposing lawyers allege that it was the “other fellow” that delayed the case. A number of labor unions and federations throughout the country is to be represented during the trials by members especially chosen for the purpose. These representatives will attend the trial and make reports to their organizations. Boise, Ida., May 7.-r-The argument of the motion of the defense for a bill of particulars in the case of William D. Haywood, charged with the murder of former Governor Steunenburg, was commenced before Judge Fremont Wood at 10:15 a. m. By direction of the court Haywood was brought up from the county jail below to attend the hearing on the motion. Boise, Ida., May 9.—The motion for a bill of particulars, filed by the defense In the case of W. D. Haywood, secretary and treasurer of the Western Federation of Miners, charged with the murder of former Governor Steunenberg, has been denied by Judge Fremont Wood.