The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1910-01-07


tutional rights and human liberties
have been unexcelled. Perhaps we may
all of us magnify our own cases when
we are involved in anything, but l
think l am big enough man to disas-
sociate great principle from my own
personality"
Since the adjournment of the con-
vention the supreme court of the United
States has granted an appeal and the
entire case of the Buck Stove and
Range company against the officials of
the American Federation of Labor, will
be brought before it for review.
On the ninth day of the session the
committee on boycotts brought in
report which set the convention aflame.
The committee, in the strongest Ian
guage, re-affirmed the right to boycott
under present industrial conditions and
closed their recommendation with the
following words:
eve say that when your cause is just
and every other remedy has been en-
ployed without result, boycott; we say
that when the employer has determined
to exploit not only adult male labor,
but our women and our children, and
our reasoning and appeal to his fairness
and his conscience will not sway him,
boycott; we say that when labor has
been oppressed, browbeaten and tyran-
nized, boycott; we say when social and
political conditions become so bad that
ordinary remedial measures are fruit
less boycott; and finally, we say, we
have the right to boycott, and we pro-
pose to exercise that right"
This bold defiance of court decisions
touching the right to boycott, brought
John Mitchell Ito his feet with the great
speech of the convention. This speech
had especial significance because of the
fact that it was the first public utter.
ance by Mr.. Mitchell as to his future
action in the contempt proceedings
since the original decree of the court
When Mr.. Mitchell had finished his i'm.
FASHIONED address, no man in the con.
vention hall, or, in fact, in the United
States, could have any doubt as to his
views upon the subject. Mr.. Mitchell
declared in part as follows:
81 want the delegates to this con.
vention, I want the people of the United
States to know that, so far as I am
concerned, shall not speak defiantly
but, let the consequences be what it
will, I shall not surrender any right
guaranteed to me by the constitution
of our country. am not sure how
much mental and physical suffering
will be necessary to make me submit
but if I know myself, and I think
do, no amount of physical suffering
or mental pain will persuade me that
I have not the right to spend my money
where please, the right to speak and
print whatever I choose, being respon.
sible under the law for the abuse OF
that right Speaking generally of the
boycott, it may be, if properly and ad-
visedly used, one of the most humane
and beneficial weapon in the hands OF
organized labor. Used illadvisably, it
may prove a deteriment to us, but
whether it be benefit or a detriment,
each man for himself must determine
where he is going to bestow his pat
or Withhold as suits my own pleasure
and any attempt through the subtleties
of the law to take from the absolute
right to do what I please with my own
money-any attempt to take from the
people the right to do what they please
with their own money-must be re.
sisted at any cost and opposed to the
very limit. Mr.. Chairman, this is the
first time during this convention that
I have had anything to say about the
proceedings in court at Washington. !
have information that cognizance has
been taken there of utterances by men
on the floor of this convention, and
want to go clearly on record so that no
man may misunderstood my attitude,
and that no man, no difference how de-
signing, may be able to distort my at
titude. ! propose in the future, as in
the past, to exercise the right guaran-
teed me by the founders of our coun-
try; l propose-if / am sent to jail.
when | come from there, to declare
again, that / shall not, for myself, pur.
chase any product of the Buck Stove
and Range company. make this dec.
laration not to tickle the ear of any
man; I make it solely that I may de-
clare publicly the conviction that is
within me-"
For several minutes after the con.
clusion of this speech the building rang
with thunderous applause, which was
redoubled as it was forced home to the
understanding of the delegates the true
meanings of Mr.. MitchelPs words. The
Immediately ordered that
the address in full be distributed
throughout the country and our men,