The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1908-10-23
MARKETS, MINING AND METALS

laIlOnS Win MIN
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. unfeeling or despotie
power than Mr.. Gompers claims for
himself and his followers in this leg
islation. which would permit them
without lot or hindrance of any kind
to carry ON every form and degree of
secondary boycott.
The anthracite strike commission
as fair minded and distinguished a
body of men as ever passed judgment
on an industrial question thus refers
TO the secondary form of boycott,
that is, the boycott of innocent
persons refusing to take an agrees
sive part in a controversy when they
have no concern:
To say this is moi to deny the legal
right of any man or set of men
voluntarily to refrain from social in
tercourse or business relations with
any person whom he or they, with or
without reason dislikes. This may
some times he unehristian. but il is
not Illegal But when II Is a con-
certed purpose OF a number of per-
sons not only 10 abstain themselves
from such intercourse but to render
the life of their victim miserable by
pursuading and intimidating others,
then such purpose is malicious
one and the concerted attempt TO ac-
complish il is conspiracy at common
law, and merits and should receive
the punishment due TO such crime.
The commission further states that
this boycott can be carried TO an eX
tent (which was condemned by Mr..
Mitchell, president of the United
Mine Workers of America in his
testimony before the commission and
which certainly deserves the re-
probation of all thoughtful and law
abiding citizens.
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 excom-
munication of the innocent merchant
who refuses To render unquestioned
obedianee TO the orders of Mr.. Com
pers should be legalized and en-
couraged; or does he believe with us,
and with Mr. Mitchell and other la
Dor leaders who differ with Mr.. Com
pers 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 i'm industrial disputes To which
they are in no degree parties, under
penalty of having their business
attacked and destroyed?
Mr.. Taft is perfectly definite on
this proposition. Where does Mr.
Bryan stand?
The citizen who votes for or
against Mr.. Taft on this proposition
does so with his eyes open and with
a clear understanding from Mr.. Taft
himself of his position. He has frank
" discussed this subject time and
again with workmen themselves. both
in this campaign and prior 10 his
nomination. He has been willing to
express his position clearly and 10
assure workingmen that 10 protect
them in their rights he is willing TO
go TO the limits OF what ne considers
Justice, hut that he will not go
farther His definition of justice to
labor does not. as We understand II,
include either of the principals con-
tanned in Mr. Gompers program as
set forth officially in this bill.
Does Air. Bryan disagree with Mr..
TAFT on these propositions?
VIII he state publicly, definitely.
categorically whether he accepts the
program outlined IN this bill, as Mr..
Gompers in his letters has assured
the public that he does?
Mr. Bryan's party platform paid
nigh tribute 10 our courts of justice.
II stated
We resent the attempt of the Re
publican party 10 raise a false issue
respecting the judiciary Il is an
unj just reflection upon a great body
of our citizens TO assume that they
lack respect for the courts.
The great body of our citizens.
TO whom this platform refers are ad-
mittedly Mr. Gompers and his follow
ers
Mr. Gompers, now Mr.. Bryan
open and ayowed ally. has in the let
ter herein quoted attacked the fed
eral courts i'm unmeasured terms of
reproach because by a long line of
decisions. the equity courts have re-
fused TO make an outlaw of the busi-
ness man: because his right to carry
on lawful business under peace of the
law has been protected by the pro-
cess of injunction; because in a word,
one of the most vital and most
fundamental rights of the business
world. the right of a businessman to
carry on his business has been sus-
tanned and not denied by the pro-
cesses of the courts of equity. This
sweeping attack of Mr.. Gompers upon
the judiciary has been made in a
frank and open effort TO secure votes
for Mr.. Bryan. Are those attacks
made with Mr. Bryan's consent?
DO they meet with his approval?
Does he endorse them or does he
repndiate them?
Mr. Bryan has frankly questioned