The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-08-26
GOVERNOR TOOlf'S MANIFESTO,

political circles in consequence Of the
action. Of the state furnishing board in
abrogating a contract made by the state
with Cincinnati firm known as the
Robert Mitchell Furniture company. A
committee Of the State Trades and Labor
assembly having learned that the firm
In question does not employ union labor
exclusively, and that it is known as un-
fair, appeared before the state furnish
ing board to protest against the compile
ton Of the contract. The matter COM
ing to vote, Attorney General Donovan
annul the contract at the request Of or
ganized labor. Governor Joseph X.
Toole voted the other way. Naturally
much indignation has been expressed by
the labor representatives concerning the
action Of the states executive. The
latter. in defense Of his vote and in ex-
PLANTATION of his views on labor. has
Issued a public statement, claiming that
he is in favor Of fostering organized
labor. as his 16 years Of public life dem-
onstrate. but in the present case he could
not vote to nullify a contract when there
was no charge of fraud. He asserts that
the laboring men in fairness should have
made their argument before the law
making body rather than the state fur
nishing board, which is sworn to carry
out the laws as passed by the legisla-
ture. Continuing his lengthy attempt at
al
Il appreciate the efforts of the various
labor organizations of this state and else
where to secure and maintain certain
rights which, in this enlightened age, are
being rapidly recognized as just and
proper" says the governor in his state
ment. with many Of these efforts am
instinct with applause.
In the course of a public career exc
tending over period of Is or Is years, I
think I have furnished proof to obviate
the necessity of saying more in that be-
half.
IF the objections now raised to the
action Of the board had been made or
suggested during the 10 days period of
advertisement in Montana and else
where, it would have presented diff
ferent case and one which would un-
doubtedly have appealed to the exercise
of a sound discretion upon the part Of
the board.
THE mere fact that cannot accede
to every request made in the name Of
lab Dor. whether in or out of season, must
not be regarded as furnishing any evil
dence that I am inimical to or out of
sympathy with it's organization or Just
purposes
The governor recites the history of
the contract from the day BIDS were
called for until Friday afternoons
action. The time spent in looking over
the designs and the motives prompting
the board in reaching the conclusion
are discussed. and, commenting upon
them. the governor says that when the
contract was awarded no member of the
board had any knowledge of the objec-
ton subsequently raised against the
firm.
believing as I do that the acceptance
o. the bid by the board based upon the
specifications which formed part of it,
with notice of such acceptance to the
company" continues the governor,
"makes complete cont act. 1t does not
seem possible. however disposed one
might be. to avoid 1t by failing or re-
fus.ng to sign a written contract. Not
otiions Of my colleagues I was obliged
for these and other reasons to vote
against them.
1T may be proper to state that the
contract was awarded for about s.. 900
less than the amount appropriated by
the legislature for that purpose, and
tEat no other bidder offered to furnish
the materials required. which in the
Judgment of the commission was suit
able and proper. for a sum within the
appropriation.
In 1897 the legislature of Montana
passed an act requiring all public print
ing to bear the label of the typogra gh
1cal union in the city where such print
Ing was done. If that law applied d.
rectly or indirectly to the equipment O.
the capitol. it would be followed by m,
regardless of consequences; but it doe
not.
I'm view of tfe facts recited, and the
further fact that there is barely time
as I am now advised. in which to man
ufac'ure and install the furniture of tn
capitol by the time it will be ready TO
OCCUPANCY, 1t does not seem fair or hon
orable to attempt to ignore the contrac
entered Into with the Robert Mitchell
Furniture company, and again advertis
for furniture"
The governor refers to the offer q
che furniture company to incorporate i
the contract a covenant guaranteein
no discrimination against union labo
in the manufacture and setting up of tn
furniture, and continuing. says: .'Th
seemed to me an ample protection I
union men. A violation of this covenar
would have given the furnishing boar
ample reason to have reflected INV fir,
niture made contrary to it's provisions,
yielding to no individual or public o.
fetal in desire to foster and encourae
organized labor in all of its laudab
undertaking, it did not seem to be With
my power as a member of the furnishin
board to nullify contract alread
AVE-. .dad uhan no fraud N. r,oiSronroro.