Amador ledger., 1903-08-21
BoYcoTTING A NEWSPAPER.

BOYCOTTING A NEWSPAPER.
Calaveras Miners Union No So,
W. F. of NJ. of Angels, has declared
a boycott against the Calaveras
Prospect, the leading paper of Gala
veras county. The boycott is an
neunced through the columns of the
Angels Record. The reason for this
strange action is set forth in the fol-
lowing statement:
Owing to the repeated efforts of the publica-
tion known as the Calaveras Prospect, to defeat
the object OF organized labor by creating dis
SenSion in the ranks of unioniSm and promoting
the interests of corporate greed at the expense
of the toiling masses of this and other counties
of the State of California, the Calaveras Miners
Union No. So, W. F. of M, after due considers
ton, unanimously declare the Prospect to be
most unfair to the toil1ng masses OF humanity,
and accordingly established boycott against
the said Prospect, which, it hoped, will prove
to be most formidable and effective one.
All members of the Western Federation of
Miners who patronize the Calaveras Prospect
or the patrons of the Calaveras Prospect, are
hereby notified Tat in doing so they are rem
der1ng assistance to corporate greed, to bind
the chains Of slavery upon unborn genera tions,
which is direct defiance Of the obligations
that each and every member OF the Federation
has taken.
Remember we are fighting battle for the
betterment of the condition of the toiling
masses of humanity and every member of the
Western Federation of Miners is expected to do
his duty And while capital sits upon throne,
debating to the masses the terms under which
they shall be allowed to work; and that for a
mere p1ttance to secure the neceSSarieS and
very few of the comforts Of life while the State
militia of the various States-which the power
OF organized greed degenerated into an army Of
uniformed ScabS-iS being used to protect the
Scab laborers which the mighty magnateS are
importing by the tens of thousands from the
elums OF European deSpotiSm to increase the
hours and beat the wages of American labor;
and while the purchased conviction Of such pub
locations as the Calaveras Prospect, are per-
mitted to make the human race worshippers at
the shrine OF Mammon gods, the prophetfcal
peace on earth, good will to man." shall never
be fulfilled. We therefore request that all SYM
pathizers Of organized labor withdraw their
subscriptions and advertisements from the Cal
sveras Prospect Immediately and thus become
a real factor in the advancement of true labor
reform. Yours. Calaveras Miners Union.
No. SIS, W. F. Of M.
W. p. Ryan, President.
W; E. Thompson, j. c. Hammitt, ]. NJ. Barry,
Aug. 10. 1908 Committee.
This is the first instance that has
come under our observation wherein
the discredited boycott business has
been resorted to against publica-
ton because of the expression of
sentiments therein which were not
in accord with the ideas of the boy
cotters. According to this PROPOSE
tion, the Angels Union proposes to
take hand not merely in regulat-
ing the relations of the mine owners
and employees, but in the suppression
of free speech and free press.
What a dangerous thing little new
found authority is apt to become in
inexperienced hands.
What is this Angels organization
thinking about? Do they imagine
for moment that by inaugurating
a war against the liberty of the press
they are going to help the cause
of trade unionism? If the Prospect
has said aught in its columns against
their order that is unjust or untrue,
have they not sufficient faith in the
intelligence of American citizens,
and in the integrity of human nature
generally, to know that it will fall
powerless. Is this a notice to the
press that any paper that dares to
publish any article that does not
pass the ordeal of their censorship
will fall under the ban of their or
ganization. Is this Americanism
according to the standard of the
Western Federation. We believe
the head officers of that order, as
soon as they find out what has been
done, will have sufficient sense to
call a halt on this over jealous sub
ordinate union. We venture to say,
this unwise action will help rather
than injure the Prospect. 1t be-
hooves every right-minded citizen
OF Calaveras county to uphold the
freedom of the press against this un-
warrantable assault. In behalf of
the press of the entire state
the duty has been laid upon the
Prospect of carrying this matter
into the courts by suit for dam
ages or injunction against the
Union. In the face of such outrages
upon free institutions it is high time
that unions were made to under
stand that the American govern
ment is stronger than the Western
observation-disclosures to protect the
citizen in the enjoyment of his prop
erty than any combination of men is
to deprive him of his rights. Be of
good courage brother Prospect. We
mistake the temper of the press and
the people if this unprecedented use
of the bOVcOtt does NOT rebound