The labor argus. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1906-1915, 1907-10-17

The announcement that John
Mitchell had issued a sigDed state
ment that he would not be candi-
date for reelection to the Presi-
dency of the United Mine Workers
of America, was received with uni
ycrsal regret by the miners Of West
Virginia, and many of them refused
to give credence to the report until
the official notice was published III
the United Mine Workers Journal
which is as follows
"To THE OFFICERS AND MEMBERS
OF THE q. NJ. A. OF A.
/, Greeting:
! "lnasmuch as notices calling for
nominations are being sent out
from the office of the Secretary,
and in order that all local unions
and members thereof may be in a
position to express their choice for
the Office of President, I herewith
announce that / shall not be a
candidate for the Presidency of
,our organization.
81 am prompted to arrive at this
decision because 1 believe that l am
no longer well enough to give your
interests the consideration their i'm
pOrtance demands.
81 shall explain in greater detail
in my annual report to our coming
convention the causes which impel
me to give up the high office to
which you have elected me for so
many years.
Il thank you for the confidence
you have reposed in me and 1 beg
you to believe that the advancement
OF my craft has been my highest
amition.
JOHN MITCHELL.
President o. M. w. of A -
Mr.. Mitchell has been in very
poor health for the past year, and
some time ago had surgical opera
ton performed in Chicago from
which he has never fully recovered.
During the past few weeks he has
consulted several eminent physi-
clans and it is presumed that it
was upon their advice that he has
determined to give up his office at
Tue expiration of the present term
ana take much needed rest and
undergo thorough treatment.
MI. Mitchell will have occupied
tne highest Office within the gift of
oi the greatest organization in the
world for ten years at the expir-
atlon OF the present term on April
ist. 49, next, he having been elected in
1910 During that time he has
gained a world wide reputation as
one w OF the greatest champions of
,he cause of organized labor and
humanity that the world has ever
hno"h n, and has at all times enjoyed
,he confidence and esteem Of both
'ne employing and laboring classes.
" hen John Mitchell steps down
ana out he will leave as a living
monument show for his ten years
;"lChiul service the greatest organ
lIe'' body of men on the face of the
sione which is due to his great or
sdni-lilg powers and generalship
ana VIII carry with him the well
WISHES and fervent prayer for his
speedy recovery of every member
VI Ihe organization for which ne
NaS sacrificed his health.
mere is much speculation as to
VINO Mr.. Mitchell's successor will
ne ana among those mentioned so
lar = are Vice President Tom l..
ne'S, MneWlS, Secretary-Treasurer w. b.
" Ison, t. D. Nichols, of Pennsyl-
anna, President of District No. l, !,
Inu n John II. Walker, of Illinois,
: FTsldent of District No. II.
nat Nlce-President Lewis will
,ucceed Mr.. Mitchell is the uni
eISal ,,aI opinion, as he is justly enti-
-; leu 20 the honor in recognition of
long and faithful service and
/, ns ,ulnloring efforts in assisting in
uaiulng up the organization to its
pteSent high standing. Mr.. Lewis
\ l, ia nave the unanimous support of
e vest Virginia miners, as they
Icosnlze In him the one man to fill
Fl- hltchells shoes and carry out
Eh ne work Of thoroughly organizing
fnls state. During his many visits