The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-01-20

They are oligarchies. One or two men
direct the affairs. All of the stockholders
do not vote.
'.In the final analysis one man directs all
combinations of capital. First, the railway
presidents met and declared their policy.
The mayors of the cities of the country and
congressman declared themselves, and when
all of the people had declared themselves
one man of the capitalists declared that the
strike must cease, and the corporations
gave way.
BEST IN CITIZENSHIP.
Il may be wrong, but i firmly believe
organized labor stands for the best in citi-
zenship. We who have consecrated our
lives to the labor movement would be sur
prised to know that it does not In places
where there are labor unions saloons are
fewest. Where there are no labor unions,
wages are lowest. because of no organized
power of resistance of wrongs and en-
croachments on the rights of men. There
we find dissipation and degradation,
looms and other undesirable resorts. Or
ganized labor stands for more than the bet
terment of wage conditions than the
achievement of shorter working hours.
These remedies are necessary and are
brought about when men are confronted by
stern realities.
1T was the sight of the little boys in the
breakers and little girls in mills, with their
that appealed to my sense OF Jusuce- L
have little boy-a little bit of tad-yet
have seen boys and bright little girls much
smaller than he laboring, with their par
ents, in the support of all by their efforts.
These small children, working daily for in
significant wages, should more properly
have been engaged in the play of school
yards. These sights impressed me. They
gave me determination. That determine
ton is what led to my earnest effort for
my fellowminers.
stOroo pi1aI 10 cta otin
Its members do not seek to create strife.
but to bring labor and capital closer to-
gether and TO teach TO each the obligation
due the other. Labor is not always right
Labor has been its own worst enemy. Yet
labor has not always been responsible for
the troubles that have arisen.
do not believe there is man in this hall
who would not be rich II he could. We are
not poor because We want to be poor, but
we are poor because we have to be. If We
could enrich ourselves without the sacrifice
of honesty / do not doubt that all of
would be better off financially. What we
should do is TO educate ourselves and do
our share to elevate men. L believe that
the laboring organizations are doing this.
and should do it, IL labor and capital could
be reconciled by an education of each 9th
ers rights and an adjustment of them made
possible, strikes would pass forever. If my
efforts have done anything TO bring this
about l am satisfied | shall be glad Il
labor has been dispelled by the recent
strike and If il helped to establish better
feeling between employers and employees
and taught them to better know one an
other. Laboring men are willing to accept
that which is right and that which is just.
Il desire to say that am glad to get back
to Indiana polls. i have met many wa~m
receptions i'm the East. but | do not know
that have seen one place that have been
happier TO return to than To this city. The
sun seems TO shine brighter here and the
people seem TO be better. There is one other
place that divides with Indianapolis my
love for home, and that is a little mining
town in northern Illinois, where / am so
well thought of that if any of you should
visit me there l might be able 10 order or
settle strike in my own household for your
entertainment. / thank you.
At the conclusion of MIR. Mitchell's ad-
dress j. Russell Powell sang three solos.
! Miss Lulu Fisher also contributed vocal
selection and the string orchestra played
| during an intermlsSion.
LIFE MEMBERSHIP.
| The presentation of the life membership
| in the local lodge of Elks voted Mr. Mitchell
| at a recent meeting. was made by Chair
man Joseph T. Tanning. of the board OF
| grand trustees of the Order of Elks The
! life membership card of silver and Of
beautiful design. 1t was made in Indian
apolis and its presentation to Mr.. Mitchell
was kept a secret until last night. Mr..
Mitchell responded briefly. expressing ap-
probation of the honor and his heartfelt
| gratitude to his fellow lodge members.
/ Secretary w. Il. Wilson. OF the Mine
Workers. Vice President L. l.. Lewis. s. NJ.
Sexton editor of the Mine Workers Jour
nal and others made speeches during the
evening. Mr.. Sexton eulogized Mr.. Mitch
| ellis personality and aroused enthusiasm
| BY speaking OF President Roosevelt as that
Iion-hearted hero of San Juan Hill-Theo-
dore Roosevelt.
! An unexpected number on the reception
/ programme was the reading of a poem en-
| titled Cheer the Hero" by Miss Beissen-
! herr. The verses were written by r. r.
| Dietz, OF this city, and are highly compli-
| mentary of President Mitchell.
| James NJ. Lynch, president OF the Inter-
| national Typographical Union, who was on
| the programme to speak was unable 10 come
to Indianapolis from Syracuse. n. Y.