Jasper County Democrat, Volume 11, Number 69, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 January 1909 — WRIGHT SCORED IN LABOR PAPER [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WRIGHT SCORED IN LABOR PAPER

Pardon Scorned by Gompers and Associates. “THIS TIRADE OF ABUSE”

Decision Called an “Unprecedented and Unwarranted Flagellation of the Cause and of the People We Have the Honor to Represent"—Federation President, Mitchell and Morrison Say “It May Be Necessary to the Preservation of the Liberties of the People That a Judge Should Be Disobeyed." Washingion, Jan. 22. —“We have not asked, and will not ask for clemency, and we hope our friends will not urge us to pursue such a course. A pardon would only leave the whole case in confusion, and it would have to be fought over again from the beginning.” This is the language used in a statement signed by labor leaders Gompers, Mitchell and Morrison in the current number of the American Federation--Ist in formal protest against the action of Justice Wright in sentencing them to imprisonment for contempt of court In the Bucks Stove and Range case Dec. 23. Samuel Gompers heads his statement “Judge Wright’s Denial of Free Speech and Free Press,” and he declares. ‘we will not ‘bate’ a single word nor lake a letter beck.”’ “Vindictive Spirit.” Gompers refers to (he “intempcrato and vindictive spirit displayed by the justice.” and Io "tills tirade of jydi-

cial abuse and misrepresentation.” In n separate statement, but he joins wilh Messrs Mitchell and Morrison in declaring that they would not “enter into competition with the court in the use of invectives, rancor or denunciation.” and that they should protest, “against the court's unprecedented and unwarranted flagellation of the cause and of the people we have the honor to represent.” They declare the ane “willing to accept the consequences" and state “it may be necessary to the preservation of the liberties of tile people that a judge should be disobeyed." They also declare that “judges sometimes usurp power and become tyrants" and that ‘disobedience to a tyrant is obedience to law.” "Judge Who Defies the Law.” Here is mother statement: "When a judge trsues an injunction like that in the Bucks Stove and Range case, it is 'he judge Who defies the law and not the citizens who refuse obedience ;.to his .mandates which would deprive men. of their constitutional rights.” The statement enters into a close analysis of the famous injunction rase, and it is asserted that Mitchell was not present at the labor moot in cs which direct '<l the circular letters attacking th” Rucks Stove end Range company; ‘bat he did not sign or have knowledge of its circulation It is asserted that Gompers removed the name of the firm from the "We Don't Patronize" list as soon as the injunction became operative and had no intent to defy the order of the court by its discussion

JOHN MITCHELL.