Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1908-10-28


wheel moving. nor t. process in opera
ton, and this company had no help at
all-that would be an interference
with his rights TO do business: and
for that say he has right TO be pro
ltected by injunction 3"
Is Mr.. Bryan in reality pledged TO
this point of view? asks the president.
Will he definitely say either in writ
ing or in public address whether he
believes with Mr.. Gompers that the
protection heretofore afforded by the
courts OF equity TO the right 10 carry
on a lawful business in lawful way is
I-despotic power, and that the judges
who exercise that power are ire
sponsible despots?"
The president says that so far as
the second section of this bin is con
cerned, it is perfectly clear that it
would "legalize the blacklist and the
sympathetic boycott carried to any
extent. It would legalize acts which
have time and again been declared OPP
pressive. unjust and immoral by the
best and most eminent labor leaders
themselves. Does Mr.. Bryan believe
with Mr.. Gompers that he and that
! part of the labor movement that
agrees with him has the right NOR
ally. and should be given the right
| legally, 10 paralyze or TO destroy with
| IMMUNITY the business of ar innocent
| third person, against whom he or
they have no direct grievance, simply
because this third person refuses to
join with them aggressively in a labor
controversy with the real merits of
which he may be utterly unacquaint-
ed, because he refuses to class as his
enemy any and every Other employer
whom they point out as their enemy,
because he refuses, merely upon their
! peremptory order, to excommunicate
some other employer by ceasing all
business relations with him? The
blacklist and the secondary boycott
are two of the most cruel forms OF
oppression ever devised by the wit OF
man for the infection of suffering on
his weaker fellows No court could
possibly exercise any more brutal, un
feeling, or despotic power than Mr.
Gompers claims for himself and his
followers in this legislation, which
would permit them without lot OF
hindrance of any kind, to carry on ev
cry form and degree of the secondary
boycott
Does Mr.. Bryan agree with Mr.
| Gompers that all existing legal re
straint on the enforcement of every
degree of the boycott should be with
drawn: that the industrial excommun
munication of the innocent merchant
who refuses to render unquestioned
obedience to the orders of Mr.. Com
pers should be legalized and encour
aged; or does he believe with us, and
with Mr.. Mitchell and other labor
leaders who differ with Mr.. Gompers
in this matter, that this form of the
boycott is morally wrong, that labor
at war should fight with its enemies
and respect the rights Of neutrals
that innocent third parties should not
be coerced into taking sides in indus
trial disputes to which they are in nj
sense parties, under penalty of hav
ing their business attached and de
stroyed?
Mr.. Taft is perfectly definite OF
this proposition.
Where does Mr.. Bryan stand?
Does Mr. Bryan disagree with Mr.
Taft on these propositions? viii he
state publicly. definitely, categorically
whether he accepts the program out
lined in this bill, as Mr. Gompers in
his letters has assured the public thai
he does?
Il feel that have the right to speal
frankly in this matter because
throughout my term as president il
has been my constant object to de
everything in my power, both by ad
ministrative action and by endeavorins
to secure legislative action, to ad
vance the cause of labor, protect il
from unjust aggression, and secure Il
in its legitimate rights. | have ac
complished something; / hope to ac
complish something more before
leave office; and / have taken special
and peculiar interest in Mr.. Taft;
candidacy because l believe that of al
the men in this country he is the best
qualified for continuing the work o.
securing to the wage workers of tht
country their full rights. / viii dc
everything in my power for the wage
workers of the country. Except tt
do what is wrong. / viii do no wrong
for man; and with all the force in my
power | solemnly warn the laborine
man of this country that any public
man who advocates doing wrong II
their interest can not be trusted By
them: and this whether his promise tc
do wrong is given knowing that it Is
wrong, or because of levity and laef
of consideration which make him will
ling to promise anything without count
ing the cost if thereby support at the
moment is to be purchased. / de
nounce as wicked the proposition Il
secure law which, according to The
explicit statement OF Mr.. Gompers, Ii
to prevent the courts from effectuall!
interfering with riotous violence wheI
the object is to destroy abuseness, AMI
which will legalize the black list ant
! the secondary boycott, both of then
the apt instruments of unmanly per