The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1909-11-26
SAYS
JOHN mitchell.
EARNESTLY URGES Isr
EDY WHEN ALL OTHERS "
HAVE FAILED
So Far as He Is Concerned. Viii
Liberty, He Will Use to III. at
His Constitutional Right Of r u''
speech-Aware His Words A.. n
ing Scrutinized by Authorities &c

ing ocrutinized by Authorities
Toronto, Ont, Nov. 2O.-Jndor..
report of the committee on hons us
John Mitchell, one of the three or w.
of the American Federation Of IaS
under sentence for contempt of cons o'
made a dramatic speech to tbo
vention Wednesday. He declared trl
so far as he is concerned, repara lna'
OF consequences, he intended Will %
liberty, to declare for the rights sua az
anteed him by the constitution M
report which drew forth Mitcbo, me
speech and which was adopted Nv 49,
convention, declared: 'D0
1--WE say that when your c,,,o
just and every other remedy has hos 10
employed without result, boycott. VA
say that when the employer bas do
termined to exploit, not only adm,
male labor, but women and childron
and our reasoning and appeal to bi'
fairness and his conscience will ~.
sway him, boycott; we say that WHOM
labor has been oppressed, browbeator
and tyrannized, boycott; we saw tb.t
when social and political conditions
become SO bad that ordinary remedial
measures are fruitless, boycott: and
finally, we say we have a right to how.
colt and we propose to exercise tbot
right. In the application of this right
Of boycott, to paraphase the president
(Gompers), we propose to strive ON
and on"
The convention broke into loud
cheers for Mitchell as he concluded
and there were cries for Morrison The
secretary did not respond. President
Gompers was absent.
Words Are Being scrutnized.
Mr.. Mitchell said he realized that
every statement made by those on the
convention floor, and especially by
those who on Monday would have to
deliver themselves to the court is
being closely scrutinized.
Il want the people of the United
States to know my position" he said.
II shall not speak defantly; but ]
shall not surrender any right guaran.
teed to me by the constitution of our
country. If I know myself, not any
amount of suffering will persuade me
that I have not the right to spend my
money where I please or that have
not the right to write and speak as
please.
II understand that cognizance is be.
ing taken at Washington of the ut
terances of men on the floor of this
convention, and I want clearly to state
my position.
II propose in the future, as have in
the past, to exercise the rights secured
to me by the fathers of my country;
and 1 propose, if I am sent to jail
again, when I come out, that shall
not, for myself, purchase any product
of the Buck Stove & Range Company.
make this statement not to tickle the
ear of any man, but that l may pup
licly declare the conviction that IS
within me.
''It seems to me that the whole pro-
ceedings should prove lasting lesson
to the workingmen of the Unl'ed
States and Canada. If all the Worh'
ingmen had been true to themselves
there would not have been non'unlon
product on the market.
Will Continue as in Past.
sI repeat that, so far as am COLI
cerned. and let the consequences NC
what they may, I intend, while at ho'
erty, to declare for the right guaran,
teed to me by the organic laws OF NY
country. am proud OF being an Anle''
team"
Mr.. Mitchell said he had grown up
as an American with stepmotner ~
Door that she could not buy breau,
and told how he had crept out OF peu
at night to get his fathers soldier coat
to keep him warm.
But I want to see the word Amer
can stand for all the sentiment tna' ID
symbolized by the flag OF our co ~
try" he continued. II want reai ~
erty. I don't believe in the lloel..
enunciated by some of our courts Una.
mon and women should have the rlgn'
to work themselves to death.
IT don't believe in the liberty enun
ciated by Judge Tuthill, OF Cnlo ..eu'
who declared ten hours unconstltu'lon
al for women, and by that act Gull,
PEELED them to work fourteen hours "
day" .ho
Mr. Mitchell said he believed lno
present proceedings would bring nolp0
to the people the necessity OF "o'N
ing in concert. our
us the time going to come on eu ~,
continent when the badge OF lai'n; -,
ness to labor must be the branu -
prisonment?" he said, in conciusl 4so
Surely, I hope not. hope tna' lot
may be so conducted ' not
no citizen may feel that he mas n
been given justice and an eQuai 10
with every other citizen
Hill Absorbs Texas ROAD. ao
Denver, Col, Nov. 2O.-The oolo' has