Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-11-18
Mitchell Makes Dramatic
Speech at Toronto.
Will Stick 10 His Rights, Re-
CARELESS Of the Result.
Proposes to Maintain Freedom Of
Speech After Imprisonment.

Toronto. Ont, Nov. 17.-EndorsinS
report by the committee on boycott,
John Mitchell, one of the three officers
of the American Federation of Labor
under sentence for contempt of court
said in a dramatic speech to the con-
vention of that organization at the
close of its session today, that 50 tar
as he was concerned, regardless OF
consequences, he intended while at
liberty to declare for the rights guar
anteed him by the organized laws OF
his country.
The report which caused MitchellS
speech. and which was adopted by the
convention. asserted among other
things:
1--WE say that when your cause Is
lust and every other remedy has been
employed without result, boycott; we
say that when the employer has deter
mined to exploit not only adult male
labor, but our women and children,
and our reasoning and appeal to ms
fairness and his conscience will not
sway him, boycott; we say that when
labor has been oppressed, brow beaten
and tyrannized, boycott; we say that
when social and political conditions
become so bad that ordinary remedial
measures are fruitless, boycott, and
finally we say, we have a right to boy
colt and we propose to exercise that
right In the application of this right
of boycott. to paraphrase the president,
(GOmpers) we propose to strive and
and on"
The convention broke into loud
cheers for Mitchell when he had con-
cluded, and there were cries for "Mor-
rison," but the secretary did not re-
spond. President Gompers was not
present.
Mr.. Mitchell said he realized that ev
cry statement made by those on the
convention floor and 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 United
States 20 know my position" he said.
Il shall not speak defiantly, but be the
consequences what they will, l shall
not surrender any right guaranteed To
me bv the Constitution of our coun-
try. | am not sure how much mental
and physical suffering will be neces-
sary to make me submit, but if | know
myself not any amount of suffering
will persuade me that [ have not the
right to spend my money where l
please or that | have not the right to
write and speak as | please, being re-
spCnsibc under the law for my acts
"Whcther the boycott be a benefit
or detriment. each man must decide
whore he will bestoW his patronage. /
maintain that my patronage is my own
and no merchant has property right
in ii. 1t is mine to give or bestoW as
suits my own pleasure. and any at
tempt through the subtlctics of the
law to take from men the absolute
right to do what they please With their
own money must be opposed to the
very limit.
II understand that cOgniZanCe is be-
ing taken at Washington Of the utter
ances Cf men on the floor of this con
vention 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 I propose. if / am sent to
iail 20 declare again when ! come out
that I shall not fer myself purchase
any product Of the Bucks stove &
Range Co | make this declaration not
to tickle the ear Of any man. but that
I may publicly declare the conviction
that is within nc.
at seems to me that the whole pro-
ceedings should prove q lasting lesson
to the workingmen of the United
states and Canada. If all the working
men had been true to themselves there
ould not have been nor union pro-
duet on thc market
The appeal of the Ohio state FEEDER
alton of Labor from the revocation of
its charter was dismissed by the Amer
lean Federation Of Labor today. 1t
was voted to recognize only the newly
formed Ohio Federation.
The convention authorized the calling
of a conference of the warning fac
tons of the brotherhood Of Electrical
Workers before Sept. l next, to settle
their dispute.
The appeals of the Iowa State FEEDER
alton and The Central bodies OF CleVc-
land. Toledo. Davenport and Cedar
ol,o ,{, l,rI 70