Hellraisers Journal – Tuesday January 12, 1909
-Mother Jones News Round-Up for December 1908
Found with Locals of U. M. W. in Springfield, Illinois
During the month of December 1908, we found Mother Jones in Springfield, Illinois, where it was reported by the December 17th edition of the Illinois State Register that:
“Mother” Jones, a noted leader among the miners’ organization of the country, addressed the Springfield sub-district quarterly meeting [U. M. W.] at Arion hall yesterday afternoon [December 16th], and in consequence the meeting was very largely attended. “Mother” Jones is engaged in soliciting assistance for Mexican workingmen who are engaged in a struggle against the despotism of the Mexican government, and who, when their plans became apparent to that government escaped to the United States, their extradition now being sought. The efforts of “Mother” Jones has the endorsement of the Illinois executive board of the United Mine Workers of America [John H. Walker, President], and it is her intention to make a tour of the state visiting the miners’ locals in behalf of these men.
Mother Jones News for December 1908
From Greensboro Labor News of December 4, 1908:
The story of Mother Jones and her dust-up with Federal Judge Jackson of West Virginia has been published many times by the nation’s labor press. We find the story this month published in Greensboro, North Carolina, as previously published in Erie, Pennsylvania.
AN ANECDOTE OF MOTHER JONES
“Mother Jones” is full of interesting anecdotes, says the Erie Union Labor Journal, which if put into print would make capital reading for all people interested in the labor struggles of the times……
From the Appeal to Reason of December 5, 1908:
[…..]
IN KANSAS.
—–
J. E. Snyder, Secretary.[…..]
Kansas is on the Socialist map. Nearly every county has some activity. One half of the counties have from one to fifteen organizations with from five to 75 members. At the beginning of the year we had 600 dues-paying members in good standing. We now have about 1,400. Most of the time since June has been taken up with campaign work for the primary and state elections.
During the year the following speakers worked under the direction of the state office from at least ten days to all year: E. V. Debs, William D. Haywood, Luella Twining, Mother Jones, Mila Tupper Maynard, Caroline A. Lowe, R. A. Maynard, Kate Richards o’Hare, W. Thomas Withrow, George Hibner, Benj. F. Wilson, J. Stitt Wilson, Fred D. Warren. J. A. Wayland, George D. Brewer, L. F. Fuller, Wm. Scott, H. M. Tichenor, Tom Hickey, H. M. Elliott, S. M. Stallard, Phil Callery, Ted Vincent, Rolla Houghton, Henry Laurens Call, Lena Morrow Lewis, L. E. Katterfeld, A. O. Mattingly and J. E. Snyder. Others in the state worked under county committees’ direction. Some of them were E. A. Welch, W. J. McMillan, C. F. Cook, A. A. Roe, Dr. Bendure, Frank Matthes, Roy Farrell Greene, J. B. Chapman, Dan Beedy and J. N. Brown.
The work of the office has been greatly promoted by the use of from one to seven columns in the Appeal each week during the year. This has enabled us to reach at least 20,000 readers with party and campaign news and I feel that it did much to hold the voters that voted our ticket to a straight party vote. At least one hundred thousand pieces of literature have been distributed from the state office during the campaign…..
From the Aberdeen Daily American of December 11, 1908:
WISE TALKS OF THE OFFICE BOY
—–I have been asked my opinion as to who are the six greatest women of modern times. I picked Jane Addams, Carrie Nation, Mother Jones, Mrs. Rohrer [“greatest cook on earth”], Marion Harland [invented drip coffee pot] and Mrs. Schuggs-that’s Ma…..
From The Illinois State Journal of December 16, 1908:
“MOTHER JONES” HERE
—–
Well Known Socialist and Labor Agitator,
Comes to Visit Miners’ Locals.Mrs. Mary Jones, commonly known among the miners and labor organizations as “Mother Jones,” is in Springfield for the purpose of visiting the local unions. Mrs. Jones is a figure in Socialist circles, and gained considerable note by virtue of her connection with, and action in the anthracite coal strikes in Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Jones will deliver speeches to the various locals in the city and district while visiting among them.
From the Illinois State Register of December 17, 1908:
MOTHER JONES TALKS TO MINERS
—–NOTED WOMAN LEADER PRESENT AT
SUB-DISTRICT MEETING.
—–
Is Soliciting Aid for Mexican Workingmen Who are
Struggling Against Government’s Deposition.
—–“Mother” Jones, a noted leader among the miners’ organization of the country, addressed the Springfield sub-district quarterly meeting at Arion hall yesterday afternoon, and in consequence the meeting was very largely attended. “Mother” Jones is engaged in soliciting assistance for Mexican workingmen who are engaged in a struggle against the despotism of the Mexican government, and who, when their plans became apparent to that government escaped to the United States, their extradition now being sought. The efforts of “Mother” Jones has the endorsement of the Illinois executive board of the United Mine Workers of America, and it is her intention to make a tour of the state visiting the miners’ locals in behalf of these men.
The whole life of this leader in the struggle for workingmen has been devoted to the cause of labor, and she has been engaged in some of the most notable strikes in America, in the past twenty years. She is especially beloved by the coal miners, in whose cause she has been rendering great service…..
From the Appeal to Reason of December 19, 1908:
SOUTHWEST EDITION
[…..]
THE LONE STAR STATE.
—–
W. J. Bell, Tyler, State Secretary.
—–TEXAS NOTES.
Mother Jones will be in Texas after January 1st. comrades desiring appointments should apply to the state secretary at once…..
From the Springfield Sunday Journal of December 20, 1908:
SOCIETY IS THE REAL CRIMINAL
—–“MOTHER” JONES GIVES VIEWS OF SOCIAL CONDITION.
—–
Noted “Angel of the Miners” of Chicago Visits City and Confers With State
Organization Officials-Does Not Blame Individuals for Wrong That is Done-
Labor Enthusiast Will Remain in the City Two Weeks.“Society is the real criminal, not the individual,” was one of the striking statements made by “Mother” Mary Jones, of Chicago, who is just at present making the miners of the Springfield district a visit. “Mother” Jones, as she is widely known among the laboring classes, was spending a few hours in the office of the United Mine Workers of America, when the entrance of a newspaper reporter brought a sudden termination to her colloquy.
Mother Jones is an exceedingly bright and cheery woman. Though her hair is white with the marks of age, her mind, apparently, works as rapidly and as accurately as if she were enjoying the prime of life.
Sympathizes With Newspapers.
“Do you know,” she went on, when the reporter was introduced,
Many people have little but hard words for the newspaper reporter. They find fault with him for not putting into the paper all the things he gathers, without taking into consideration that not he, but some stern and judicial editor frames the policies of the paper. Nearly every one you meet has some remark about the manner in which the newsgatherer puts a story in, or a criticism to offer because he does not see that a certain matter is published.
Now, I never criticize a newspaper reporter individually. The outside world does not realize under what strain he works. He must make good. He must get news, or he will fail to keep the work on which he lives. People should appreciate that he is working under principles dictated from superiors and does not have in hand the power to shape the paper’s policies.
Tells of Many Travels.
The “Angel of the Miners” here lapsed into conservation concerning her many travels. She has been in every mining district in the United States, and her experiences with laboring men are wide in extent and variety. She took great delight in explaining her attempt to aid in removing the oppressive conditions which exist in Mexico, among the working classes. She deplored the fact that human slavery still prevailed in some sections of the continent, and the persecutions of the workman in sections, she especially lamented.
Presently she turned her attention to economic questions, and her discussion of various conditions of society was interesting indeed. She expressed herself plainly upon the subject of crime.
“Society is the real criminal, not the individual,” she asserted, in response to a suggestion that some people were naturally not responsible for what they did.
Has Great Faith in Woman.
I have rubbed up against the world in all its phases, and find in my experience that there is a tender chord in every heart. We all know that drink is an evil. We are familiar with the efforts made by temperance societies organized to redeem victims of the deadly habit. But why go after the results? I say, exterminate the cause.
I believe it is the natural instinct of the race to be good. The part the women can play in the betterment of the people is inestimable. If the women of the land should go forth in a body to battle for a better civilization, they would have unbounded influence.
Mrs. Jones stated she would remain in the city probably two weeks, within which time she would deliver at least one public address. The arrangements for her meeting have not yet been made, but it doubtless will be held within the next few days.
———-
From The Illinois State Journal of December 22, 1908:
“Mother” Jones Addresses Miners.
Local No. 999, of the United Mine Workers, held a meeting at Eleventh street and South Grand avenue, east, last evening. “Mother” Mary Jones of Chicago addressed the gathering.
From the Illinois State Register of December 23, 1908:
Mother Jones, the famous lady orator of the U. M. W. A., delivered a very interesting lecture to 250 miners and their friends Monday at Castor’s hall, corner of Eleventh and South Grand avenue.
Note: Emphasis to articles above is added.
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SOURCES
Illinois State Register
(Springfield, Illinois)
-Dec 17, 1908, page 7
-Dec 23, 1908, page 18
https://www.genealogybank.com/
John H. Walker
http://www.illinoislaborhistory.org/hall-of-honor-articles/2011
The Labor News
(Greensboro, North Carolina)
-Dec 4, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/63398822/
Appeal to Reason
(Girard, Kansas)
-Dec 5, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/67587556/
-Dec 19, 1908
https://www.newspapers.com/image/67587571/
Aberdeen Daily American
(Aberdeen, South Dakota)
-Dec 11, 1908, page 7
https://www.genealogybank.com/
The Illinois State Journal
(Springfield, Illinois)
-Dec 16, 1908, page
-Dec 22, 1908, page 5
https://www.genealogybank.com/
Springfield Sunday Journal
(Springfield, Illinois)
-Dec 20, 1908, page 32
https://www.genealogybank.com/
IMAGE
Mother Jones, Dnv Pst p2, July 19, 1908
https://www.genealogybank.com/
See also:
For story of Judge Jackson & Mother Jones:
-scroll down to “Interesting Story”
Hellraisers Journal, Tuesday August 27, 1907
From The Labor World: “Labor’s Little Angel” Speaks in Duluth
Mother Jones Comes to Duluth to Support Striking Mesabi Iron Miners
The Correspondence of Mother Jones
-ed by Edward M. Steel
University of Pittsburgh Press, 1985
See pages 65-66.
https://books.google.com/books?id=EZ2xAAAAIAAJ
Mother Jones Speaks: Collected Writings and Speeches
-ed by Philip Sheldon Foner
Monad Press, 1983
-See pages 568 & 578.
https://books.google.com/books?id=T_m5AAAAIAAJ
Letter from Mother Jones to Phil Callery of Pittsburg, Kansas:
Note: as written, except for periods added for clarity.
Springfield, Ill.,
12-21-1908Dear Comrade Callery
I have been slow in answering your letter that does not mean that I have forgotten you. I never will forget you Phil you are one of my true Comrad. I do not hear a word from Comrade Debs. he seems to have forgotten me. but I will not forget him. poor fellow. he was worn out.
I am working in this part of the State raising money for the Mexicans who are held in Jail in Los Angeles and Arizona. I am going to Save their lives if money will do it. how I would like to be with you Chrixmass but I cannot Phil. See this article. read it over. Send it back to me. I want to write you a long letter but have to go to a meeting in a few minutes. Phil is this damnable. this is the way the poor Comrades are Swindled.
Loyally yours
Mother
Note:
Phillip Henry Callery, attorney for UMW District 14, headquartered at Pittsburg, Kansas.
Letter from Mother Jones to Thomas Morgan of Chicago, Illinois:
E. St. Louis,
December 30th, 1908.My dear Comrade Morgan:
I received your letter a day or so ago forwarded to me from Springfield. I appreciate very much the correction you made, only I thought it might have been well to have left the wife question out. I did not catch what you said about the Daily. The letter you sent me, that is the personal letter you sent me, I think it got in the fire with some other mail that I was destroying before I fully read it. I am afraid the Daily is going to involve us all in some trouble before we get thro’ with it. Hoehn thinks I had better not put that letter in the press owing to the criticism the enemies of the movement would make and the capital they might make out of it against the cause, but he says for me to send it to every national committeeman and every state secretary and all members of the executive board, also to the national office for the Bulletin. Let me have your opinion about it before I start out. I expect the bunch will move that I be thrown out of the party of course for exposing this graft, but then I’ll stand that, I’ll still be a socialist. Now, I wrote to that King of ours about that $200 he owes me and I have received no reply. I am inclined to think that he wants some trouble, and if he does, I’ll give him all he wants of it.
I am yours for the cause,
Mother Jones
Notes:
Thomas Morgan, lawyer and prominent Chicago Socialist.
Gottlieb A. Hoehn, editor of St. Louis Labor.
Official Bulletins of Socialist Party of America
-1904 to 1913
“The Official Bulletin of the SPA was issued monthly by the National Committee at the National Headquarters…Chicago, Ill.”
https://www.marxists.org/history/usa/pubs/spa-bulletins/index.htm
J. Mahlon Barnes, secretary of Socialist Party of America from 1905-1911. The feud between Mother Jones and Barnes over a $200 loan later led to bitter battle within the SPA. Barnes was forced to resign in 1911 due to the discovery that he had had a child with a woman, not his wife, and had place the child’s mother on the party payroll.
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The Most Dangerous Woman – Utah Phillips & Ani DiFranco
One note re this otherwise great speech by Utah Phillips: the idea that Mother Jones wasn’t an organizer is flat wrong. She was, in fact, a long-time paid organizer for the UMWA and worked under both President Mitchell and President White. When she went to Colorado in 1913-14, she was on the UMWA pay-roll, altho, according to some sources, the UMWA didn’t see fit to pay her while she was held captive in the Military Bastilles of Governor Ammons (Democrat).