The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-18
Dramatic UHerance Is Prompted
by Sentence Of Court That
=,
Awaits Him
LABOR LEADER WILL
STAND FOR RIGHTS
In Labor Convention Mitchell Declares
That True Liberty Is Not the Kind
That is Enunciated BY
Some of the Courts.

Toronto, November 17.-Indorsing a re-
port boycott John Mitchell. one of
the three officers of the American Fed
GRAFTON of Labor who are under sentence
for contempt of court. made a dramatic
speech to the convention of that organ
ization at today's session. He declared
that as far as he was concerned re-
gardless of consequence. he intended
while at liberty to declare for the rights
guaranteed him by the organic laws of
his country.
The report which drew forth much ap-
plause and which was adopted by the
convention, among other things. deelared
I'VE say that when your cause Is just
and every other remedy has been em-
ployed 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 appeal to his fairness and
conscience will not sway him, boycott
we say that when labor has been op-
pressed, browbeaten and tyrannized, boy
colt; we say that when social and polit-
ical conditions become 30 bad that ordi-
nary remedial measures are frtitless boy
colt; we say we have a right to boy
colt and We propose 10 exercise that
right In the application of this right
OF boycott, TO paraphrase the President
(Gompers), we propose to strive on and
on
Cheers For Mitchell
The convention broke into loud cheer
ing for Mitchell as the report was con-
cluded and there were cries for 'aIorri-
son. The secretary did not respond
President Gompers was absent.
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 de-
liver themselves to the courts is being
closely scrutinized.
II want the people of the United States
to know my position" he said Il shall
not speak defiantly; but be the conse-
quences what they will. l will not sur
render any right guaranteed TO me by
the constitution of our country I am
not sure how much mental and physical
suffering will be necessary to make me
submit, but if l know myself, not any
amount of suffering will persuade me
that | have not the right to spend MY
money where / please and the right
to write and speak as | please, being
Whether the boycott be a benefit or
detriment, each man must decide where
he will bestow his patronage. | maintain
that my patronage is my own and no mer-
chant has a property right to it. 1t is
mine to give or bestow as suits my own
pleasure, and any attempt through the
subleties 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.
Will Cling to Rights.
Il 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. | pro-
pose in the future, as | have in the past,
to exercise the rights secured to me by.
the fathers of my country, and | propose,
If l am sent to Jail, to declare again
when / come out that | shall not for myself
purchase any product of the Buck Stove
and Range company. l make this declar-
alton, not to tickle the ear of any man
but that | may publicly declare the con-
victon that is within me.
TT seems to me that the whole pro-
ceedings should prove lasting lesson to
the workingmen of the United States and
Canada. II all the workingmen had been
h.
been an non-union product on the market.
II repeat that SO far as | am concerned,
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 l am proud of being
an American"
MitchelI's Boyhood. A.
Mr.. Mitchell said he had grown " ~
an American with a stepmother 81 ,oor.
that she could not buy bread. and aated
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 sym
bolized by the flag of our country he
continued. ~ 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 to
DEATH l don't believe in the liberty enun
cated by Judge Tuthill of Chicago, who
declared unconstitutional the 10-hour law
for women and by that act compelled
them to work IA hours day
Mr.. Mitchell said he believed that pres
ent proceedings would bring home TO the.
people the necessity of working in con-
cert ''Is the time going to come on our
continent when the badge of faithfulness