A REIGN OF TERROR — CONCLUDED. THE MOYER DECISION.
It is perhaps somewhat unusual for one not a lawyer by profession to attempt to expound a great question of law, in a manner which is flatly in contradiction of a supreme court decision. Yet, our laws are written in plain English, so that anyone with even a common school education can read and understand them. The government of the United States recognizes the principle that the safety of a free government, to a large extent, depends on the knowledge of the fundamental laws of the land by all its citizens.
Let us analyze the famous as well as infamous Moyer decision, which is a vindication of Governor Peabody's maladministration, and a fitting climax to the persecutions of the workingmen of Colorado.
The militia arrested President Moyer on March 30th, 1904, and kept him imprisoned in the bull pen, day after day, without in any way moving to prefer charges against him. From previous experience it was evident to the Western Federation of Miners that the military intended to hold Mr. Moyer a prisoner for an indefinite period. The officers of the Federation, with their usual promptitude, obtained a writ of habeas corpus from Judge Stevens, directing General Bell and Capt. Bulkley Wells to bring Mr. Moyer into court on April nth. These persons flatly refused to obey the writ, on the plea that military officers in field service are not subject to any civil process.
Judge Stevens held a different view on this question, for he adjudged both General Bell and Capt. Wells guilty of contempt, fined each of them $500, and ordered the release of Mr. Moyer. The military commanders neither paid the fine, nor did they liberate