Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-10-21
MITCHELL MAKES DENIAL
OF Certain Campaign Acts and State.
ments Charged to Him.

Indianapolis, Oct. 2O.-A letter from
John Mitchell appears in the current
issue of the United Mine Workers
Journal of this city in which he says:
During the past few days ] have re-
ceived numerous inquiries from secre-
taries of our local unions in reference
to poster containing an enlarged
likeness of myself below which is
printed what purports to be an inter-
view with me bearing upon the pres
ent political situation. Some Of the Sc
letters are written in a spirit of criti-
cism. while others are cOmmendatOry.
and request that additional posters be
mailed for distribution.
In order to remove any misunder-
standing that may exist, I take this
means of informing our members that
] have not mailed or authorized any
one else to mail to any member or
0fi1cer of our union or to any one else
any poster containing my likeness OF
giving expression to my political
views, except so far as these views
are expressed in the official circulars
authorized by the Executive Council
of the American Federation of Labor.
Only a short time ago a weekly pa
per published in the city of Buffalo
printed what purported to be n tele-
gram signed by me, declaring un-
equivocally for one of the Presidential
candidates and with equal emphasis
voicing opposition to another. That
telegram--which has been given wide
circulatiOn-was not written by me
or by my authority. l never saw 1t or
heard of it until 1t appeared in the
columns OF the publication referred to.
] have borne patiently with this
Misrepresentation and have hesitated
to say anything by way of correction
because I feared that to do so would
be to furnish another opportunity for
garbling what l said and thus place
me in an even more embarrassing pO-
sition: and might thus convey the i'm
preston that I was not in full SYM
pathy with the efforts of the working
people to secure radical legislation for
thes wrongs of which they complain.
But matters have gone so far that !
cannot, in justice to my own con-
science, remain silent while others
use my name in this unauthorized
manner. l am abundantly able to
speak for myself. and object to these
unwarranted liberties being taken
with my name. Therefore I avail my
self of this means of communicating
to all who may be Interested this ex-
PLANTATION and expression of my views.
Az I understand the policy of the
American labor movement and the ac-
ton Of the United Mine Workers of
America. 1t is that the organizations of
labor are not committed to any politi-
cal party: the workingmen of America
70 1toc n hai
power and without regard to political
afiiliations. to elect to public office
bona fide members of trade unions or
other candidates who are known to be
in sympthay with the political and in
dustrial reforms necessary to the pro-
lection and preservation Of the inter-
ests Of the wage earners.
Lam sure that shall not be charged
with partisanship when advise each
citiaen to examine carefully the prin-
ciples and policies. efN,Fthe various
political organizations: tosinvestigate
the character and standing OF the
candidates: to consider seriously the
erect Of the election upon the nation
as q whole and upon that division OF
society in particular to which he be-
longs: and having done this. II is MS
duty to cast his ballet in accordance
with his best Judgment and with the
dictates of his conscience
over and above all. trade unionistS
should ever keep in mind the neces-
sity of preserving nviolate the
strength and integrity of the unions.
when the election is over and the ex-
element and enthusiasm incident to it
f,nve PASSED away-regardless of who
IA elected to the Presidency-the or
kaflizAtions OF labor, as heretofore and
IL, never before, wi | he to the work. |
iftmen the bulwark OF their liberties
JOHN MITCHELL.
y