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

principles of equal Justice, of consti-
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 I
think l am big enough man to disas-
sociate a 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 a
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, W.
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 speecl
had especial significance because of thu
fact that it was the first public utter
ance by Mr.. Mitchell as to his futur,
action in the contempt proceedings
since the original decree of the court
When Mr.. Mitchell had finished his i'm
passioned address, no man in the con
vention hall, or, in fact, in the United
States, could have any doubt as to hi
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 an
concerned, I shall not speak defiantly
but, let the consequences be what il
will, l shall not surrender 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 I know myself, and I think
do, no amount of physical suffering
or mental pain will persuade me thai
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 thu
boycott, it may be, if properly and ad
visedly used, one of the most humane
and beneficial weapon in the hands O
organized labor. Used illadvisably, II
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
ronage. 1t is mine to give or to bestov
or Withhold as suits my own pleasure
and any attempt through the subtletiel
of the law to take from the absolut,
right to do what I please with my owl
money-any attempt to take from tht
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
have had anything to say about tn,
proceedings in court at Washington.
have information that cognizance ha,
been taken there of utterances by mer
on the floor of this convention, and
want to go clearly on record so that nc
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; | propose-if | am sent to jail
when | come from there, to declare
again, that l 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 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.. Mitchells words. The
convention Immediately ordered that
the address in full be distributed
throughout the country and onr mem