Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-09-30
To the Public:

To the Public:
In view of the labor troubles now
and for the past three weeks, exist
ing in this city. caused by the action
OF labor organizations in our midst
and the subsequent organization OF
the Citizens Alliance, we deem II ad-
visable TO make a public declaration
of the purposes and objects Of the AL
lance. and particularly with refen-
ence to the attitude which the ALI
ance occupies towards organized la
Dor.
The action of the labor organiza.
tions. in this city, toward Tubb broth.
ers, has resulted in suspending a
large part OF the development going
on In our city in the making Of much
needed improvements, TO the detrl.
ment OF all classes of our citizens
and the suspension of work upon the
new High School building. the com.
pletion of which within a short time
is an absolute necessity in the inter.
ests OF education, Is working a great
hardship upon both the school chill.
dren of the county and all OF our cit
liens, who are interested in the
schools. for the reason that all of the
school rooms in the city are greatly
over crowded.
Under these circumstances the cit
fzens OF Lewistown. deemed II neces.
sary to do something to relieve the
situation. and the Citizens Alliance
was organized for that purpose.
To unite all patriotic and law-abfn'
ing citizens for the purpose OF pro-
tecting those individual rights and
liberties guaranteed to all people by
the constitution and laws Of our coun'
try.
All men are endowed with certain
inalienable rights among which are
the right OF personal security, OF per-
sonal liberty. and to acquire and en-
JOY property. For the preservation.
exercise and enjoyment OF these
rights the individual citizen must be
free to adopt and follow such calling.
profession or trade as may seem to
him most conducive TO that end.
Without this right he Is not a free
man. This right to choose calling
and follow 1t is an essential part OF
that liberty which belongs to every
citizen and which 1t is tire object of
government to protect. A calling.
when chosen. is a mans property and
right. Liberty and property are not
protected where these rights are as
sailed successfully.
Man has the right to make use OF
his labor in any useful employment
either on his own behalf or to hire
II out to whomsoever he will, and at
such wages as may be agreed upon
by him and the person employing him
He has the right to refuse to work
for any employer. or for wages which
may seen to him inadequate, but, In
exercising his right. he cannot inter
fere with the liberty OF others who
may desire to work. He may have
the legal right to strike. but he can
not compel others 10 strike with him.
II is the right OF every citizen TO re-
fuse to have business relations with
any Of his fellows. for any reason he
may deem sufficient. but he cannot in
stitute a boycott or unfair list for the
purpose of injuring the object OF his
displeasure.
This alliance comedies the absolute
right Of all persons to organize for
the protection and furtherance of
their common interests by proper
methods, but II denies the right TO or.
ganize for an unlawful purpose. or TO
accomplish lawful purpose by un.
lawful means. This is particularly
true OF organizations which interfere
with the constitutional rights OF the
citizen. IN the purpose OF any organ
ization. whether OF capital or labor. is
to hamper or restrict the freedom of
the individual to follow what avoca-
tion he will. to coerce other persons
tobecome members OF such organlz-
alton and come under It's rules and
regulations under the penalty OF a
loss of employment or Of business
then such organization Is unlawful. is
contrary to the nature OF government
and to the spirit OF American institu.
tions.
This alliance Is formed that the
laws may be enforced, and that the
constitutional right of each citizen To