News Briefs
PENNSYVANIA LEGISLATURE: MOLLY MAGUIRES NOT GUILTY In 2005, the Pennsylvania House and Senate unanimously passed resolutions under-reported at the time that MCLI members will applaud:
WHEREAS alleged Molly Maguires in Columbia County were tried and hanged; employees of the Reading Railroad investigated, arrested, and prosecuted them; jury selection ensured ethnic bigotry and bias; judges were connected with companies instigating the trial, witnesses were intimidated to perjury; to say due process and constitutional rights were lacking in the trial would be an understatement; As a result Patrick Hester Peter McHugh and Patrick Tully were hanged in 1878; RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the lack of Due Process in the trial.[Noncontroversial Resolution #527; Sen. Passed similar resolution]
For more info: Hal Smith, rakovskii [at] hotmail [dot] com or has56 [at] pitt [dot] edu.