Question

Read this excerpt from “Schenck v. U.S., 249 U.S. 47 (1919)" and answer the question that follows:

This is an indictment in three counts. The first charges a conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act of June 15, 1917, by causing and attempting to cause insubordination, in the military and naval forces of the United States, and to obstruct the recruiting and enlistment service of the United States, when the United States was at war with the German Empire, to-wit, that the defendant willfully conspired to have printed and circulated to men who had been called and accepted for military service under the Act of May 18, 1917, a document set forth and alleged to be calculated to cause such insubordination and obstruction. The count alleges overt acts in pursuance of the conspiracy, ending in the distribution of the document set forth. The second count alleges a conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, to-wit, to use the mails for the transmission of matter declared to be non-mailable by title 12, 2, of the Act of June 15, 1917, to-wit, the above mentioned document, with an averment of the same overt acts. The third count charges an unlawful use of the mails for the transmission of the same matter and otherwise as above. The defendants were found guilty on all the counts. They set up the First Amendment to the Constitution forbidding Congress to make any law abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, and bringing the case here on that ground have argued some other points also of which we must dispose.

According to the bolded lines, what is one reason for Schenck’s indictment?

He helped organize a mail campaign for the military.
He tried to send something through the mail illegally.
He tried to encourage men to sign up for enlistment.
He tried to join the United States Navy.

Answer 1

The correct answer is B, "He tried to send something through the mail illegally."

Step-by-step explanation:

Answer 2

"The second count alleges a conspiracy to commit an offense against the United States, to-wit, to use the mails for the transmission of matter declared to be non-mailable by title 12, 2, of the Act of June 15, 1917"

The answer is B. He tried to send something through the mail illegally.

In the text they tell us that the first charges that are presented are for trying to cause insubordination in the military and naval forces of the United States, and to obstruct the service of recruitment and enlistment of the United States, which indicates that the three answers A, C and D would go against the ideals of the accused. In addition, the bold lines inform us that the accused tried to use the mail to send confidential information of the United States, which violates a law making it an illegal act.

If my answer helped you please give me five stars. I'm trying to level up.