The Irish standard., 1902-10-25
Nine Workers, and in 1897 he became

dent of the United Mine Workers in
] 1898, and in September of the same
year was appointed acting president
His administration was so success
full that he was elected president Of
the national organization in 1899, and
has been annually elected to the same
Office since then by acclamation. lie
was elected fourth vice-president of
the American Federation of Labor in
1898, and held that position until
1901, when he was elected second
vice-president, in which position, on
the executive council OF that body, he
i is one of the close advisers Of Samuel
Gompers, president of the American
Federation of Lab L, the organization
which is furnishing most of the
''sinews of war; to the miners in
their present great struggle.
His rise was rapid, but as Father
Power, his close friend and pastor at
Power, his close friend and pastor at
Z Spring Valley, says: ut is the mans
\ character that has made him. lie is in
tellectually and in every way strong.
He is clear i'll his ideas. He studies
things and is not hasty i'll judging. He
has read not so much in quantity as in
quality. He appears able to UNDER
stand men, Il quality always notice
able in men who rise. He is not easily
deceived by plausible people working
for ends of their own. lie SEES through
schemes. He is clean and 10 est"
This is the testimony Of his spirit
lal adviser, who has helped him not Il
little in his studies, for Father Power
is a scholar, and lie nus Il choice Ii
brary of over 1000 volumes in that
little mining town of Spring Valley.
From this library John Mitchell took
many books to read and study.
1t is said that John Mitchell has adj
vanced the condition of the miners
forty per cent since he became a DOW
er among them, ard since he became
president of the United Mine Workers
of America the organization has
grown from about $4,000 to nearly
100000, for it must be borne in mind
that it also includes the 'tso:t conl'
miners and covers many states outside
OF Pennsylvania. 1t is probably the
greatest single labor organization in
the world.
Soon after Mitchell became sccrc-
taly- treasurer of Il sub district in Illi-
nois, he was sent to Springfield the
capital of that state, to do little
lobbying in favor of some mining
measures which We're before the leg
islature.
He worked with persistence and in
telligence against powerful OPPOSE
ton and secured the passage of what
is known as the gross weight law
and the antitrust law.
These and orner measures which
were passed ON his instance made him
extremely popular among the miners,
and, in fact, among labor men gener-
ally.
In his home town of Spring Valley
he had become somewhat of a power.
He was president of an athletic club
and Of several literary and educational
clubs also president Of the board Of
education, and was otherwise prom
tnent in local affairs, being leader in
an independent political club.
He is a good speaker and clever
story teller, and about all of those who
know him or have known him call
him Johnnie" But with all of his
success this young mans head, it has
been said, has never been turned"
His hat always fits his head.
In personal appearance John Mitch
ell Is described as rather slender,
dapper, neatly put together young
man, with the look of one who has
gotten rid Of all unnecessary incum-
ORANGES.
He shaves his face clean and pre-
sents an almost classic contour Of
feature. His hair is very black. His
eyes are brown, wide set and frankly
open. EIe smiles with his eyes more
often than with his lips. At times
those eyes take on the far-away ex-
preston of the student and deep think
En- He dresses very plainly and usu-
ally wears a frock coat and soft dark
hat.
Now a word as to John Mitollell's
home life and the little woman who,
with four children, watches and waits
for his return and encourages him in
every way she can, for John is low
ing father and husband, as might be
expected.
The house which Mrs. Mitchell and
her four children occupy at Spring
d Valley, ILL.,, is half of double frame,
the whole Of which John Mitchell
owns, although he lets the other half.
Mrs. Mitchell has six rooms for her
\ own use.
HI She is SMALL slender woman,
\ black4haired and gray-eyed, kind,
i practical and contented. She shows
the signs Of hard work. She is natur-
ally timid, quiet and reserved.
III She was born in Catlin, ILL.,, and at
tended the Sisters School at Collins
i vile, Ill. Her mother died when she