The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1908-10-21
JOHN MITCHELL
UNSEALS LIPS
Objects to the Free Use Which
Has Been Made of His Name
in the Campaign.
HIS POSITION EXPLAINED
REMAINS IN FULL SYMPATHY
WITH WORKING PEOPLE.


indianapolis. Oct 2O.-John Mitchell.
former president OF the United Mine
Workers Of America. today furnished the
following statement TO the Associated
Press:
During the past few days I 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 10 be an interview with me
bearing on the present political situa-
ton. Some Of these letters are written
Ia a spirit Of criticism. while others are
eomnendatory and request that addi-
tional posters be mailed for distribution.
ut Is obvious that these posters have
been received by many. il not ALL of the
secretaries Of our local unions; 1t is ap-
parent that at least some of our mem
bers believe that they were sent out by
me. and the assumption is that / am at
tempting to dictate, at least TO influ-
ence, the manner in which our members
should vote.
Sent Out No Posters.
In order to remove any misunderstand-
ing that may exist / take this means OF
Informing our members that / have not
mailed or authorized any enc else to
mail TO any member or officer Of our
union or 20 any one else any poster con-
tanning my likeness or giving expression
TO my political views except so far as
>
circulars authorized by the executive
council OF the American Federation of
Labor.
only a short time ago weekly paper
published in the city of Buffalo printed
what purported 10 be a telegram signed
by me, declaring unequiVocally for one
OF the presidential candidates and with
equal emphasis Voicing opposition 10 an
other. That telegram. which has been
given wide circulation, was not written
by me or by my authority. | never saw
it or heard of il until IL appeared in the
columns OF the pGolication referred to-
Able to Speak for Himself.
Il have borne patiently with this mis-
anything by way of correction because
1 feared that To do so would furnish an
other opportunity for garbling what |
said and thus place me in an even more
embarrassing position and that ii might
convey the Impression that / was not
I'm sympathy with the efforts of the
working people TO secure remedial legis-
latiOn for the wrongs OF which they COM
plain. But matters have gone so far that
/ cannot. in justice TO my own conscience,
remain silent while others use my name
in this unauthorized manner. l am abun-
oantly able to speak for myself, and
object TO the unwarranted liberties be-
ing taken with my name. Therefore
avail myself of this means of communi-
eating to all who may be interested in
this expression of my views.
mol OOUInilbCo 10
LAS I understood the policy of the
American labor movement ana the action
of the United Mine Workers of America.
II is that the organizations of labor are
not committed to any political party; the
MOrkinemen of American are endeaVor-
ing. 50 far lies in their power. and
without regard to political affiliations, to
elect TO public office bona fide members
of trade unions or other candidates who
are known to be in sympathy with the
political and industrial reforms neceS-
sary TO the protection and preservation
of the interests OF the wage earners
ITO this end / have written letters of
recommendations and will write others
urging our fellow workers TO support
trade unionists and friends of the trade
union movement WHO have been nomi-
Mr.. Mitchell here mentioned several
men whose candidacy for the lower house
of congress he favored, and continued as
follows:
Labor Should Be Represented.
1T seems to me that inasmuch as the
manufacturing. the mercantile. the per-
sonal and TO a lesser extent the agricul-
tural and even the leisure classes are so
well and so numerously represented in
our state and national legislatures, the
wage-earner should also be represented
by group of strong men from the ranks
OF labor whose training and experience
are such as TO enable them to present in
an intelligent and forceful manner the
needs and requirements of that great di-
vision of society which is least able to
protect itself When all factors are thus
represented we can expect such general
legislation as is essential to the welfare
of the whole nation and such special laws
as are necessary to protect the interests
of each separate division.
Advice to Labor Voters
II am sure that l shall not be charged
with partisanship when l advise each
man TO examine carefully the principles
and policies of the candidates, to consider
seriously the effect of the election upon
the nation as a whole and upon that divi-
sion Of society in particular to which he
belongs. and. having done this. IL is his
duty to cast his ballot 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 necessity Of
preserving inViolate the strength and in