The Story of Civil Liberty in the United States
The Story of Civil Liberty in the United States - Civil Liberty and Labor (1870-1917) - Page 221
Judge Frank W. Owers granted an injunction restraining each and every member from interfering with the deported men or preventing their return to their homes and business. He said: “The action of the mob—I take pains to use the accurate word—in running out of town with threats of violence, the officials of the miners' union, was sheer anarchy, an outrageous violation of the rights guaranteed by the Constitution to the humblest person.” He also pointed out that the miners' union was under very rigid investigation by the district attorney, while “the other union” (the League) seemed to be escaping investigation.
Judge Owers issued bench warrants for 129 citizens of Idaho Springs, charging them with rioting, making threats, and assault…. Most of these men were arrested, and gave bond for their appearance at $500…. February 8, 1904, District Attorney Thurman entered a nolle prosequi in each case. The attorney who had been engaged to help prosecute said that it seemed that pressure had been brought to bear, and that there was one law for influential citizens, and another for poor people.18
This is one of the few cases in which the whole event is recorded. Members and officers of the Industrial Workere of the World have been repeatedly deported. This organization of migratory workers with a radical philosophy has been, in many sections, practically outlawed, and its members have been denied any pretence of personal liberty. In a strike in Louisiana, against the Santa Fe and Southern Lumber Co.—
Three hundred gunmen seized fellow-workers Charles Cline, the local secretary, and Charles Deeny, and gave
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