Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1897-09-01
SOVEREIGN AND DEBS
Make the Most Vigorous Speeches
at the St. Louis Conference
Of Labor Leaders,
z. OF L. CHIEF DESIRES A TEST,

And Would Go to Jail to Settle the Injunc-
fion 0uestion-Head of the Social Democ-
racy Declares He Has Done with the
Courts and Now Depends on a Popular
Uprising to Restore Labor the Rights He
Declares withheld-Platform That Was
Adopted in Full.
st. Louis. Sept. 1.-When the resolu-
lions committee of the lab Dor conference re-
ported the Platform yesterday and it had
been read there was a deluge Of motions,
Zone Of which was acted upon, a recess
being taken to p. m. The delegates
were eager for work, and the afternoon
session was set in motion promptly at
O'Clock. After considerable talk in which
Williams. st. Louis delegate, enGeay-
ored to have the coming convention held
In st. Louis, and three or four attempts
10 change the date OF the conference, it
was decided that the matter should re-
main as introduced in the platform, and
the labor congress will be held in Chica-
go on Monday. Sept. q. The third plank
OF the platform was amended by the
use of the word proper before use of
the ballot and the resolution now reads
as follows: THAT we consider the proper
use of the ballot as the best and safest
means for the amelioration of the hard
ships under which the laboring class
suffers
Webster and the Courts.
Clemens. of Kansas, moved that the
last TWO resolutions in the platform be
considered simultaneously. He favored
their adoption. Webster, of st. Louis.
wanted to know If these milk and
water resolutions disposed Of the inn
portant matter of government by injunc-
ton. If N is so.' Webster continued,
any judge could say through an irjunc-
ton get off the earth; you have no
rights here I then reply to the courts
you lie Webster went on at great
length ard gave his views on the in
junction matter. He wanted congress to
investigate this matter.
Sovereign Not Afraid of Guns.
Why" said Sovereign, this conven-
ton mas rejected a proposition looking
to this very end. Even if congress did
give us the rights we want the courts Of
the country would still have the power
of injunction and they could then throttle
US. The convention should inform the
world that if this matter is to be tested
the miners should break all injunctions."
Sovereign said he was willing to go to
1oil in support Of his idea. 1T is time"
said Sovereign, ito bring the miners and
courts face TO face in this matter and
force an issue. Fill up the jail with vio-
lators of injunctions, and when the men
VINO started this movement are incar-
cerated thousands Of others will be
found TO take their places. ICheersl
Inc lab0rirS people can vote for years
but nothing can be accomplished. Let US
reorganize this government" shouted
Sovereign. Let us stand up and assert
ourselves. Behind these injunctions
stand Calling guns and Winchestsrs
but we fear them not. Let us hold up
the flag and tear down the courts. We
stand on our dignity and will have our
liberty from this time on"
Debs Called on to Speak.
The convention broke into wild cheer
ing which developed in a minute into a
spontaneous call for Debs. The famous
labor leader and avowed head Of the
Social Democracy OF this country, who
had not uttered a word since the con-
vention opened, but who had not missed
n minute of its proceedings, rose from
his seat and came slowly to the plat
form. When the cheering ceased Debs
at the end of nearly every sentence by
cheering and hand-clapping. He said:
Il believe the gravity of the Industrial
situation in this country is well under
stood. 1t Is quite evident the delegates
TO the convention are cognizant Of the
fact that civil liberty Is dead in Amer
lea I have said and say again that
for the last time have appealed to the
courts for Justice, and shall appeal to
them no more.
Has No Use for the Courts.
"The American Railway Union ex-
pended $4,000 to have the question OF
civil rights tested in the supreme courts
OF the United states only to be told
that we have no rights that capital is
bound to respect. Shall We appeal to
the supreme courts again? No. We
appeal to this convention and to the
country for an uprising of all the COM
mon people in every walk Of
life to beat bac the courts
and re-enthrone the rights Of
the American people. Labor Day is
near. What shall we do? I predict,
that We will see the extraordinary
spectacle Of ens.aved labor rafting its
chains and dancing to the music. Labor
is the cheapest commodity on Gods
earth, and yet there are those who
would have it at lower price.