New-York tribune., 1909-11-18
MITCHELL DEFIANT
CPHOLDS BOYCOTT.
H7onid Repeat Offence for
Which He May Suffer.

Toronto Nov. 1T.-In lorEing = report 80
the committee on boycoct. John Mitchell.
srne Of the three officers of the American
Federation of I-abor ander sentence FOR
contempt ~ court in a dramatic speech %
the convention % that organization at the
close 81 its session to-day declared that. as
Ear as he was concerned, regardless oc con
sequences. he Intended while At liberty 20
declare for the rights sEaranteed him ~
the organized laws al his cOUnuy.
The report which drew forth MitcheNs
speech, and which MAS adopted a1y nc coz
NentiOn. among other things declared;
We say that when your cause is Jus,
and every Other remedy has been employed
without result, boycott. We say thSt Nnen
she employer has determined 10 exploit
not only adult male lab>r but our Women
and children. and our reasoning ano ap-
peal 10 his fairness and his conscience vii
nor sway him. boycott: We say that Nnfn
tErannized. boycott " say that when
social and political ondiuons become 50
bad that ordinary remedial measures az
fruitless. boycott, nno- nnallN, We say he
have 3 right 10 boycott. and We propose 10
exercise that right In the application OF
this right 81 boycott, 10 i is.Iap - IL. IL
president fGompersl, We propose 10 strlNe
on and on.
The convention broke into loud cheers
for Mitchell when ne had concluded. and
there We're crles for Morrison" bui the
secretary dc not respond. President Com
pcrs was not present. Mr.. Mitchell said he
reslzed tina. every statement made by
rhose on the convention floor. and especial
ly lsy those who on nex: Monday viii have
10 deliver themselves 10 tlse courts, is being
closely scrutinized. lie said;
I want the people OF the United States
20 know my position. shall not speak
defantly, but, be the consequences Mhat
they will. ] shall nut surrender any right
guaranteed EO me by the Constitution 81
country. / am not sure now tnuch
mental and physical suffering Nih be nee
cssary TO make me submit hut II Know
myself. not any amount of suffering VIII
persuade me that I have not the right To
spend my moi.ey where i l,lease or maj
4 have Doi the right TO write and speak
as please, being responsible under The
lew Tor ans acts.
Whether the boycott be beneut or a
sletriment, each man must decide where
he viii bsstOw his patronage. ] maintain
that my patronage b. NY own. and no
merchant las property right in IL. u il
mine 10 give or besiON. suits my own
pleasure. and any attempt through the
suhteties of the law 10 take from men the
absolute right 10 d. what they please with
their owl money must be opposed 10 the
very limit.
understand thar cognizance is beng
takHn AT Washington OF The utteraiices OF
lnen on the floor oI Ihis convention and
/ want clearly 20 state my position.
propose in The future. as ! have in the
ne by the fathers Of my country and
propose. II ] am sent 10 lail, 10 declare
again when ! come out that ] shall not
1or myself purchase any product Of the
Bucks stove and Range Company. I make
tilis declaration not lie tickle the ear Of
ANY man but that ] may publicly declare
me- conviction that is within me
II seems To me that the whole proceed
ings should prove lasting lesson 10 the
woIkingmen OF the United states and Can
a1a. IL al the Workinsmen had been true
20 themselves Their would --ot have been
non-union prp1I,s On the market
: repeaI fhst far ar = ana concerned.
AND let the consequences be what they MAY.
I intend while AZ liberty 10 declare for
tna rights guaranteed 70 me By the organic
isws e my countr.-. am proud Of being
an American.
Mr.. Mitchell said he had grown up as an
American with q stepmother SO poor that
she could not buy bread. and related how
d. had cTept out Of bed At night 10 get his
lathcr's soldier coat 10 keep him warm.
But ! want 70 see the word American
stand for al the sentiment that is symbol
ized by The flag OF our country,' he con
unued. Il want real liberty. 1 don't be-
lcHe IN tho liberty enunciated by some Of
our courts that mon and women should
have the right TO work themselves 10 death.
q don't believe in the liberty enunciated by
Judee Tpthin. Of Chicago. who declared
unconstitutional the ten-hour law for vom-
fh ahu hA ahdl dcL com nftllliS liitln 10
work fourteen hours day."
Mr. Mitchell said he believed the present
proceedings would bring home 10 the peo-
ple the necessity of working in concert. ''Is
iho time going 20 come. on our continent,
when tie badge of faithfuness TO labor
must nc the brand ~ imprssOnInengf hc
said in conclusion. surely ] hope -sDt. 1
hoIe that the government may be so con-
Quoted that no citizen may feel that he has
not been given justice and an equal right
with every other citizen.