The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-01-30
Delivered Before the Convention
of the United Mine Workers
y of America.
STALWART UNIONIST
GETS GRAND OVATION
Greeted by a Storm Of Cheers as
He Repudiates the Unjust
T." Jail Sentence.

ANoA|A4N<AI oLIo, jail. 20. - AL
convention of the United Nine Work
ers of America, when the former presi-
dent of the miners appeared upon the
stage Of Tomlinson hall the 1900 dele
gates went Wild with enthusiasm
There was storm of cheers and MANY
of the delegates wept from intense
emotion.
Factions seemed to be dissolved into
one grand appreciation Of Mitchell, and
the indirect cause Of 1t was the de-
cision Of Judge Wright at Washing
ton.
Events in the miners convention
moved rapidly. Mitchell was given an
ovation; petition was started to be
signed by the 1880 delegates protest
ing against the decision and addressed
to President Roosevelt; $4,000 was ap-
propriated to defend Mitchell, and
more If needed" telegram was sent
to Samuel Gompers announcing this
fact, with the words "stay in the
game; 100000 black diamond artists
are backing you"
Mr.. Mitchell, who was deeply moved,
came forward to the edge of the plat
form and said:
nave Ic1uSeu u IIldke any STATE
ment on my prison sentence until
could make it to you What say I
say with full knowledge that I may
be cast in prison for saying it. I feel
keenly sensitive to the reception you
nave given me this day. It would
seem that at least in miners conven-
tion former leader of laboring peo-
pie loses none Of his luster because he
Is sentenced to pail. I little thought
a year ago that before I saw you
again I should be sentenced TO ran act
which, after all, is an act of you min
ers."
Mr.. Mitchell pictured what ne CAN
sidered the injustice OF system by
which the constitutional right Of free
speech and a free press were denied
and by which men could be deprived of
their liberty without a trial by Jury.
He repudiated nothing that he had
said or written in his book in the past,
concerning the duty Of resistance of
any order unjustly depriving people
Of their constitutional rights.
He reviewed his own case, pointing
out that his greatest offense seemed to
consist Of presiding over the miners
convention that last year passed an
unfair" or boycott resolution
against the product of an alleged un-
fair concern.
For instance" said Mr. Mitchell
Il was found guilty on two points
One was that I signed an appeal
against certain union employer The
fact is, l never say the appeal. 1 was
In hospital and could not have
signed it,
"'Secondly, this judge quotes a book
that l wrote, in which said that if a
judge would order me not to do what
the constitution gives me the right to
do, I would violate the injunction of
any court. l repeat, then, with full
knowledge that I woll be held fully
responsible for what say.
Tine court said 1 presided at the
convention when this resolution was
presented. The delegates know that,
as presiding officer, had nothing to
do with this resolution. Three alter
natives were presented at the time Ibis
resolution was presented. might
have resigned; l might have cowardly
called some one else to the chair: or
1 might have stood up before you and
advocated the cause of the cornpanv
that was concerned. Does the man
VINO respects me least, imagine I
would stand here and advocate it?'
Samuel Gompers sent the following
message to the convention:
please convey to the delegates fra
ternal greetings and best wishes for a
most successful convention. Now is
the time that tries mems souls. Now
ia the time TO more thOro11chlv orco,
ize and solidify the ranks of labor
Stand true for the cause of Justice and
human freedom"