Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1903-08-03
A CHALLENGE ANSWERED

In his speech at Bonanza severa
weeks ago Governor Davis took occas
ion to criticise the Sebastian county
Representatives and other members o.
the last general assembly who insist
ed that the King bill should be sc
amended as to exempt labor and agri
cultural organizations from its opera
tons He said the amendment in
question was proposed only for the
purpose of defeating the bill. and de-
organizations in any particular. He
further challenged the miners to send
John Mitchell copy of the bill and
get his opinion of it.
That the miners and others who
heard the governor S challenge may re-
call it We quote below that portion of
his speech in which it was made. The
excerpt is taken from verbatim re-
port of the speech by one of the best
stenographers in the state, and is as
follows:
But, ! want to say to you
laborers here, go and get a copy of
that King bill; l will furnish you with
a copy of it, and-who is your great
labor leader that fellow up yonder?
What is his name? Some of you tell
me-
"a voice)-Hanratty
(Another voice)-John Mitchell.
Governor Davis isl-Mitchell, that is
the fellow. Amt he all right with
you laborers?
Voices) Yes.
Gov. Dayis)-He has got some
sense too-about as much as tne
average member of the legislature has
got. Great laughter and applauseD
a voice)-Say, governor, he has
got more sense than that.
Gov. Davis)-Well now, will make
this test, and l will abide by it: Ii
Mr.. Mitchell is an honest man-and |
believe he is; | never saw him; |
have read after him; | think he is an
honest, conscientious patriot that is
trying to work for the betterment of
mankind. Now you take that bill
understand Mr. Mitchell will likely be
here next August, if you can get him,
and | will send copy of that bill to
any OF your labor leaders that you
want it sent to. ask Mr. Mitchell TO
read it paragraph by paragraph SEN
tenee by sentence, and study over it,
and II there is word that is against
organized labor God knows il vas
penned in ignorance and | will aeknow
ledge it.
"a voice)-Good ooy, jeff Great
applause)
This challenge from the governor re-
suited in the passage of the following
CORES pondence between Mr.. Burk. one |
of the Sebastian representatives, and |
Mr. Mitchell:
Greenwood. Ark, July s, 1908
Mr.. John Mitchell, Esq, Pres. U. NJ.
w. of A, Pittsburg. Kan.
Dear Sir-I have this day sent to
w. ]. Mallet, at Pittsburg, Kan, a
true copy of the King Antitrust Bill
which was introduced in the last Ar
L oiclo -,
copy of the amendment offered by
myself to-wit: Amend by adding to
last clause of said bill the following:
Provided however that nothing in said
act shall be so construed as to inter
fere with the organization and opera
tlon OF Labor Unions and organizations
and operation of Labor Unions and or
ganizatons, where organized for the
purpose of benefitting the conditions
Of labor.
also send clipping from the daily
papers relative to recent legal action
taken in the state of Texas on an
antitrust bin very similar to the King
bill. Judge Holland offered an amend
ment similar to the one offered by my
self and for reasons not necessary to
explain the same was adopted The
senate failed TO concur in the Holland
amendment and the King antitrust
bill failed to become a law There is
40 reason why | should desire to be
feat the King antitrust bill. was in
favor of the bill with the labor amend
nent. What | did was solely in the