Description
Mother Jones was an octogenarian labor organizer who traveled to West Virginia (as well as to other areas of the country) to organize mine workers who were being abused by the mine owners. After violence broke out on both sides, the authorities argued that the civilian system of justice was inadequate to deal with the threat to public safety. The governor declared martial law and had Jones and several of her fellow organizers tried before a court martial. They faced serious charges of conspiracy and murder. Mother Jones herself was accused of inciting violence that led to several deaths and injuries by her inflammatory speeches and radical programs. She refused to recognize the authority of the court martial and stood mute, but the trial went forward. The transcript of that proceeding is in this volume and readers can decide for themselves whether the trial, verdict and sentence were fair. . . .
