Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1909-11-25
ana MANLY / /, I SPEECH &
John. Mitchell Says Dramatically That He
ess1, ,2,.s ,e's''SS 'SSs,.4z6 f-5A
s Endorses Boycott.
AROUSES ENTHUSIASM
He Rightfully Declares That No
Concern Has n Property Right to
His Patronage, and Charges That
Washington is Watching Proceed
ings OF the Convention 'h9s'i

Washington Is Watching Proceed
ings OF the Convention. 'u9s'i
Endorsing a report OF the COM
mfttee on boycott. John Mitchell,
one OF the three officers OF the
American Federation of Labor, who
| are under sentence for contempt OF
court, made dramatic speech to the
convention of that organization now
in session at Toronto, at Wednes-
days session. He declared that as
far as he was concerned, regardless
OF consequences he intended. while
at liberty to declare for the rights
guaranteed him by the organic laws
Of his country.
| The report which drew forth
Mitchell's speech. and which was
adopted by the convention among
| other things declared:
| I'VE say that when our cause is
just and every other remedy has
been employed without result. boy
| cott; we say that when the employer
has determined to exploit not only
adult male labor, but our women and
| children, and our resources and our
appeal to his fairness. and his con-
science Will not sway him, boycott:
we say that when labor has been
oppressed, browbeaten and tryanniz-
| ed. boycott; we say that when social
and political conditions become so
| bad that ordinary rene Ial meas
| ures are fruitless. boycott, and final
ly we say, we have right to boy
:ott and we propose to exercise that
right. In the application OF this
right of boycott. TO paraphrase tn @
president (Gompers). we propose to
strive on and on"
The convention broke into loud
cheering for Mitchell as he conclud
ed. and there were cries for "Mor
rision,' The secretary did not re-
spond. President Gompers was alb
sent.
Mr. Mitchell said he realized that
every statement made by those on
the convention floor. especially by
those who on next Monday will have
to deliver themselves to the courts.
Is being closely scrutinized.
II want the people of the Unite
states 10 know my position" he
said. Il shall not speak dehantly;
but be the consequences what they
VIII. | shall not surrender any right
guaranteed 20 me by the oonstitu-
ton OF our country. | am not sure
how much mental and physical suf
fering Will he necessary TO make me
submit. but Ii l know myself. not
any amount of suffering will per-
suade me that | have not the right
to spend my money where | please
or that l have not the right to write
and speak as l please. being respon-
sible under the law for my acts.
Whether the boycott be a bene-
tit or detriment each man must
decide where he will bestow his
patronage. / maintain that my pat
ronage is my own and no merchant
has property right to it,
II understand that cognizance is
being taken at Washington OF the
ntterances 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 exercise the rights secured TO
me by the fathers Of my country:
and l propose. II l am sent to jail,
TO decalre again when / come out
that ] shall not for myself purchase
any product of the Bucks Stove &
Range Co.
II repeat that so far as am con
cerned, and let the consequence be
what they will. intend while at
liberty TO declare 70 rthe rights
guaranteed TO me by the organic laws
of my country. l am proud OF be-
ing an American" fYii
Mr.. Mitchell said he had grown
up as an American with a stepmoth-
er 80 poor that she could not buy
bread. and related how he had crept
out OF bed at night TO get his faith
er's soldier coat to keep him warm.
But want to see the word
| American stand for all the sentiment
that is symboiZed by the flag OF our
| country" he continued. IL want
real liberty. | don't believe In the
| liberty enunciated by some Of our
courts that men and women should
have the right to work themselves
erty enunciated by Judge Tuthill
of Chicago. who declared unconsti-
tutional the 10-hour law for women.
and by that act compelled them TO
work IA hours a day fi.. ....r5
Mr.. Mitchell said he believer the
present proceedings would bring
home 10 the people the necessity
OF working in concert "Is the time
going 10 come on our continent when
the badge Of faithfulness to labor
must be the bran OF imprisonment
he said In conclusion. "Sureiy
hope not hope that the govern
ment may be so conducted that no
citizen may feel that he has not
been given justice and an equal right
with every other citizen"