Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-18
MITCHELL DEFENDS BOYCOTT
Former Leader of Miners Makes Ora
matte Speech to Labor Convention.
MAY RENEW IOWA CHARTER
Hhwkeye State Federation Admits
Violating Law and May Come
Back by Complying
with IL.

TORONTO, Ontario, Nov, r7.-Endorsing
a report of the committee on boycott, John
Mitchell. one of the three officers of the
American Federation OF Labor who are
under sentence for contempt OF court, made
a dramatic speech to the convention today
He declared that as far as he was con-
ccrned, regardless of consequences, he in
tended while at liberty to declare for the
rights guaranteed him by the organic laws
of his country.
The report which drew forth MitchelIs
speech. and which was adopted by the
convention, among other things declared:
I'VE say that VIXEN your cause is Just
and every other remedy has been employed
without result, boycott; we say that when
the employer has determined to exploit
not only adult male labor, but our women
and children, and our reasoning and ap-
peal to his fairness and his conscience viii
not sway him, boycott; we say that when
labor has been oppressed, acrowbeaten and
tyrannized, boycott; we say that when
social and political conditions become so
bad that ordir airy remedial measures are
fruitless, boycott and. finally we say, we
have right to boycott and we propose
to exercise that right In the application
Of that right to boycott, to paraphrase the
president (Gompers) we propose to strive
on and on"
Mr.. MitcheIl's Address,
The convention broke into loud cheer
ing for Mitchell as he concluded and
there we're cries for Morrison" The
secretary did not respond President
Gompers was absent
Mr.. Mitchell said he realized that every
statement made by those on the conven-
ton floor, and especially by those who on
next Monday would have to deliver them
selves to the courts, is being closely scrut-
inlzed
Il want che people Of the United States
to know my position" he said IT shall
not speak defiantly, but I shall not sur
render any right guaranteed to me by
the constitution of our country. III
know myself. not any amount of suffering
VIII persuade me that 1 have not the
right to spend my money where I please
or that have not the right TO write and
speak as I please
81 understand that cognizance is being
taken at Washington of the utterances of
men on the floor of this convention and
want clearly to state my position
propose In the future as / have in the
past, to execise the rights secured to me
by the fathers of my country, and pro-
pose, II ! am sent to jail to declare again
when ] come out that I shall not for my
sell purchase any product Of the Bucks
Stove and Range company. I make this
declaration, not to tickle the ear Of any
man. but that / may publicly declare the
conviction that is within me-
1T seems to me that the whole pro-
ceedings should prove a lasting lesson 10
the workingmen OF the United States and
Canada II all the working men had been
m fhnWF aaaI0v
been non-union product on the market
Il repeat that so far as am concerned
and let the consequences be what they
may, intend while at liberty, to declare
for the rights guaranteed TO me by the
organic laws Of my country. I am proud
Of being an American"
Wants Real Liberty. 20
Mr.. Mitchell said he had grown up as
an American, with step-mother, so poor
that she could not buy bread and related
how he had crept out Of bed at night to
get his fathers soldier coat to keep him
warm.
But want TO see the word American
stand for all the sentiment that is symbol
ICED by the flag OF our country" he con-
tinued. II want real liberty. / don't be-
lieve in the liberty enunelated by some Of
our courts that men and women should
nave the flght 10 work themselves to
death. don't believe in the liberty enun-
ciated by Judge Tuthill OF Chicago, who
declared unconstitutional the ten-hour law
for women and by that act compelling them
to work fourteen hours day"
The appeal OF the Ohio State Federation |
OF Labor from the revocation Of its charter
was dismissed. IL was voted 10 recognize
only the newly-formed Ohio Federation.
The convention also authorizing the call
ing OF a conference Of the waring factions
OF the Brotherhood Of Electrical Workers
before September 1. next, to settle their
dispute.
The committee on laws reported that the |
Iowa federation admitted a violation OF
the federation law and recommended that |
upon compliance with law their charter be |
restored. This was ratified.
In the case Of the centra bodies Of Clevs- |
land. Toledo Davenport and Cedar Rapids. |
whose charters were revoked as a result |
OF the electrical workers controversy. the |
Continued on second Pase)