Strike bulletin., January 20, 1914, Image 1

About Strike bulletin. (Clinton, Ill.) 1913-1915

Image provided by: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Library, Urbana, IL

                
m STRIKE ^ BULLETIN M
_ E"Urtd ** ,*C,Jnd cla” tn,t,tr J»" 3. MM. •» the post office at Clinton. III. under the act of March *, UT*.
U("w CLINTON, ILLINOIS, JANUARY 29,1M4 Con. N*. M
—- ■ ' '-**
§B^ ^ wwm m -wm •-wm www m ’wm ■▼UviiWnffTUWjrWvnvWTUTW^WTiiTUW^WUVlV^
n A jail cell furnishes one time and opportunity for thought. Eighteen days and nights, I have fi
||| lived in a steel cage. The law says that 1 am innocent until 1 am proven guilty. The law indulges ^3
H me in this just presumption by locking me in a cell. ft
|jg The coroner s jury met and rendered a verdict and recommended that I be held without bail. |||
X How they came to this conclusion is a mystery to my lawyers and to me. Not a bit of evidence was |i|
|j§ introduced showing that 1 was guilty of any crime and yet the coroner s jury recommended that 1 S
ft held without bail. Law and justice do not seem to be very well acquainted. Xt
ft The charge against me is brought in the name of the people of the State of Illinois. This is the Jxf
JR Law. 1 (one of the people of the State of Illinois) am the defendant. The State employs a lawyer 8
and pays him to prosecute her citizens. This lawyer is a human being. He is anxious to make good. ^B
||| The more cases he wins, the higher he stands in public esteem. His reputation as a lawyer is at stake. j|£
IB His political ambition is in the balance. The trial of the case is not so much a contest between right |j|
p| and wrong as it is a battle between lawyers. Back of the people's lawyer is the money and prestige jj|
P| Sovereign Client. The sheriff s office, the police department, and the public money, all are fi|
ft available to aid the people and the people's lawyer in successfully prosecuting the defendant. His |||
S influence in the community is the influence of a man, feared by many—respected by others. X
B The defendant stands alone. The fact that he has been arrested, is charged with a crime and ^3
ji# occupies a cell, causes many of the people to suspect that he is guilty. In this way, the people over- ^3
jg| rule the presumption that the defendant is innocent. I am told that justice cannot be bought. I be- ^
B lieve this. But 1 know that justice must be paid for. I can do nothing for myself. 1 am locked in x
H| a cell, with my presumption of innocence as a companion. My case must be prepared. The facts |§|
M must be gathered. Witnesses must be searched for. The evidence must be presented in legal form. 8
g The many requirements of the law must be complied with. These things must be done for me. HI
ft This work costs money. The State recognizes the need of money and provides it in plenty to bring jftj
ft about the conviction of the defendant. Sometimes outside influences having an axe to grind co- fi
ft operate with the State and help convict the defendant. I am wondering if some outside influences S
» are at work in Clinton trying to bring about my conviction. A good clairvoyant might be able to ft
||| Rumors have been started with the purpose of crippling me in my fight for my life and liberty. fi
H Stories have been circulated and printed that I have money. These statements are black, malicious |j£
Mf falsehoods. 1 am one of the ranks. 1 have edited the Bulletin and slept in the office. The object
ft of these stories is plain. It is not hard to suspect their origin and design. The purpose of these false- |f|
ft hoods is to keep from me the financial support of the only ones to whom I can turn for help—the fi
ft The evening newspaper of Clinton, favorably known as the Clinton Public, has sent broadcast O
fi the report that our friend and attorney, Frank Comerford of Chicago, is trying to "shake down the ft
labor movement." We should be grateful for the splendid solicitude of the Clinton Public, a news- Ilf
HI paper that pronounced me guilty without a trial—a newspaper that assaults organized labor every 8
ft chance it gets. The fact is, Mr. Comerford came to Clinton, immediately upon word of the tragedy 111
* and brought with him trained investigators, and started in association with Mr. Arthur F. Miller of ff|
ft Clinton, the fight for my life against the influences here that would hang me because of my labor 8
ft convictions. Mr. Comerford has opened his bank account to me until the men in the movement can fi
ft come to my assistance. He answered the Clinton Daily Public's attack on his character by starting S
S • a libel suit for $50,000.00 against the paper. ||g
ft During the last week, an attempt was made to silence the "Strike Bulletin." The effort failed, |j|
|g as will all other efforts fail until the strike is won.
Hf Out of it all comes one great satisfaction. 1 know that 1 am one in the Creed of Toil. I know
III that | am one in the great Brotherhood of Workers. Even as the man of Galilee taught it—we know
ft it—Brotherhood.
Iff The efforts that are being made to furnish me with funds to make my fight are deeply appre
fi dated. Checks made payable to me will be used to make my fight for freedom and vindication,
ft The great penalty of being in jail is the pain that comes from being off "the firing line."
ft Fraternally yours, CARL E. PERSON,
8 January 17.1914. County Jail* Clinton, 111.
WWW m Ml