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Hellraisers Journal – Sunday October 12, 1902
Mother Jones News Round-Up for September 1902, Part III
Found in Hiteman, Iowa, Supporting John P. Reese for Congress
From the Ottumwa Semi-Weekly Courier of September 30, 1902:
SHE ASKS FOR REESE VOTES
———-
”Mother” Jones Tells Miners to Elect
One of Their Number to Congress.
———-HER IMPASSIONED SPEECH AT HITEMAN
———-SHE APPEALS TO THE TOILERS TO AWAKEN
AND SHOW THE WORLD THAT THEY ARE ABOUT TO
“ASSERT THEIR RIGHTS TO A FAIR SHARE OF EARTH’S RICHES.”
———-
In an impassioned address in which she sought to show the evils of the injunction, Mother Jones, the woman trades unionist and socialist, appealed to the miners and citizens of Hiteman Saturday afternoon to elect John P. Reese to congress, in order that he might introduce a bill taking from the federal courts the right to issue the injunction. She cited the effect the “one-man instrument,” as she called it, has had upon the strikers in the West Virginia coal fields, and stated that the strike would not have lasted more than two weeks if it had not been for the injunction. A short address was made by John P. Reese, who was chairman of the meeting, prior to Mother Jones’ speech.
In introducing Mother Jones to the audience Mr. Reese took occasion to thank the people of Hiteman and the members of the local miners’ union especially for the support they have given him during his term as president of the district miners’ organization, from which he is about to retire in order to commence his fight against Hon. John F. Lacey for the election to congress to represent the sixth district of Iowa.
Mother Jones is an avowed socialist. She points to the great day which she says is surely approaching, when the laboring millions shall rise in their might and claim a just share of the riches which they have produced and turned over to their employers. She says that conditions are leading up to a great climax. Her speech, which had much to do with the evils which she claimed were caused by the injunction, ended with a long appeal for support for Mr. Reese in his candidacy.
Mr. Reese Talks.
The meeting was to have been a part of the picnic planned by the people of Hiteman, to take the place of a Labor Day celebration, but owing to the inclement weather the big event was declared off. However, the people were not to be cheated out of an address by Mother Jones, and consequently they held a meeting at the opera house in Hiteman in the afternoon. The first address was by John P. White, of Oskaloosa, secretary-treasurer of the district organization of the United Mine Workers. During his speech Mr. Reese and Mother Jones arrived.
James Baxter, of Hiteman, was temporary chairman of the meeting, and at the completion of Mr. White’s speech he introduced John P. Reese as the permanent chairman. Mr. Reese took charge of the meeting, [and addressed] his former associates, the residents of the town where he resided as a coal miner a few years ago; and from which he went to take his position as president of the district miners’ union…..
[Mr. Reese said, in part:]
I will say that whatever the future may hold in store for me, I assure the miners of Hiteman and the citizens of this town that you will find that I will continue to be one of you in reality, and that I will continue to hold my membership in your union as long as I am eligible.
Now I want to introduce to you the only miner who wears skirts; the only miner who is allowed to belong to every local in the country at one time; the only miner who does not wear a pit cap; a woman who has the respect and love of every miner in America; a woman who, before she has finished her speech, will convince you that the mission of labor is a holy one; that the labor organizations have accomplished more progress during their existence than has any other similar organization during the same length of time during the history of the world. Ladies and gentlemen, I take great pleasure in introducing to you “Our” Mother Jones.
Mother Jones’ Address.
A round of enthusiastic applause greeted Mother Jones as Mr. Reese closed his speech, and she bowed in acknowledgement. After a selection by the band, she advanced to the front of the stage. Her hearers were interested because of her statements, although the speech in itself is not connected throughout. She said:
Mr. Chairman and Fellow-Toilers: —This is my first visit among you. It is not my first nor my last visit among workers. Away back among the ages we find that from the time the human race left the cradle and began to learn to talk there was planted in the bosom of mankind a desire to advance, to march forward; a desire for greater, nobler things. That desire has followed us down the stairway of time and has each day pressed on until the toilers are awaking now in such a way as the world never knew. Today we are confronted with conditions never known before.
Class Separation.
The people are being separated. Events are bringing to the mind the deep thinker of today the realization that there is a great evolution, a great revolution, going on in the world. Society is divided. The lines are closely drawn. On one side is a handful of human beings with all the wealth the human race has created in ages in their hands. On the other side is a multitude of people, robbed, oppressed, downcast, but pleading for the time when the human race shall possess its own. We look back into history and as we realize what the conditions were, and we thank Providence for the light that is beginning to dawn upon civilization…..
[Mother Jones on Trial in West Virginia]
As soon as I entered the court room I told my comrades [fellow U. M. W. organizers] that we were all convicted and that we might as well stand up and be sentenced…
The judge [John J. Jackson] asked me what right I had to come among the miners of West Virginia and disturb them. I answered him that I was a citizen of the United States and as such that I had a right to go anywhere in the country that I pleased. That judge was cornered and he asked me nothing more. But in the closing argument of the prosecuting attorney the most dangerous statement was made. It meant more than he, or anyone else but myself, probably, realized.
Points Out Danger.
He said in his argument to the court: “Owing to the fact that this is the most dangerous woman in the United States today, and owing to the fact that she can go among the miners and commence a disturbance at any time, if she will consent to leave the state of West Virginia and stay away, I would suggest that the court should have mercy on her.” Leave the state never to return! Mind you what that meant. Think of a public official making a statement of that kind…..
Injunction Ridden Virginia.
In Virginia you can put your foot on hardly a foot of ground on which there is no injunction. You can’t step off the highways but you step on an injunction. They have tried to starve our people out and the people of the country have responded. They threw them out of the houses and they [live] in tents and under the trees, with only God canopy over them at night. Ten cars of provisions from Cincinnati were lost for sixteen days. The operators reported that there were no funds and that no more food was coming to the strikers. The railroad company, acting for the operators, switched the cars in their yards and we could not find them. Finally the firm in Cincinnati sued the railroad and the cars turned up.
A Last Appeal.
So I want you to wake up here. I want you to put a man in congress who will introduce a bill to stop these wrongs. Free speech is forever dead. In Washington they say that the wrongs of the toilers must not be discussed, the money power must be preserved. I see the chains and I see where they can be broken. I stand here in the name of Washington, of Jefferson, of Patrick Henry, of our dead heroes, and I plead in the name of our country and in the name of the flag with you to come and be free men. Rise in your manhood and proclaim your freedom to the world.
A Wish.
As I look back at those old fathers of our country I say “Shall it be mine to say the republic still lives?” May our children say that this generation has done its part to break the chains which bind the people. Why should we be pleading at the master’s feet?
I plead with you to elect one miner to congress this fall. Then some other state will elect another, and later three or five other states will elect others, and if they do they will come back to you and tell of the treachery that is practiced in Washington. With courage in their breasts they will break the chains, shorten the hours of labor. I plead with you to elect one of your craft.
What can a lawyer do? All they do is to go to school and learn the tricks of scheming. Do you want them in congress? In the senate there are sixty-eight corporations lawyers. Do you wonder at the injunctions and the conditions that exist? Behind them are operators and the courts. Morgan has throttled the President and holds the legislature and the senate. He has throttled the pulpit. Turn over and let them see that labor is awakening, and tell the world you have awakened. Elect one of your own men.
Calls Courts Dangerous.
I plead with you to use your judgment. Do less drinking and more thinking. Stay away from the saloons. Stay at home. Discuss economic questions. There stands behind me [John P. Reese], like myself, a victim of the injunction. He knows what the injunction is, what it is to be behind prison bars. While I owe him no debt of gratitude and he owes me none I want to see him in the congressional halls before I die. He knows who issues the injunctions and in whose interests they are issued. He knows the corruption of the federal courts. They are dangerous and must be stopped.
Pleads for strikers.
Mother Jones ended her political speech here and concluded with an appeal for pecuniary help for a family in West Virginia, the father, a striker with a sickly wife and twin babies. She sold many books at a nominal sum, thus raising a considerable purse for the support of the babes.
The miners and their families gathered about the famous old woman after the meeting and did her honor. After a few minutes among them she left with Mr. Reese for Albia, where she remained all night. She spoke at Smoky Hollow to the miners working there on Sunday.
[Photograph and emphasis added.]
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SOURCES
Quote Mother Jones, Told the Court in WV: Will Stay, Ipl July 19, 1902, UMWC p86
https://cuomeka.wrlc.org/files/original/e8a127cff2e927a72bf17df6f97c6617.pdf
Ottumwa Semi-Weekly Courier
(Ottumwa, Iowa)
-Sept 30, 1902
(Note: see links below for text of full speech.)
https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86061214/1902-09-30/ed-1/seq-5/
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111239026/sept-30-1902-ottumwa-ia/
IMAGE
Mother Jones, Socialist Spirit p19, Aug 1902
https://books.google.com/books?id=wIcuAAAAYAAJ
See also:
Whereabouts and Doings of Mother Jones for September 1902
Part II: Found Interviewed in Chicago, Illinois, Relates Woes of Miners
Sept 4, 1902, York PA Gazette
-Labor Leaders Run for Congress to Fight Government by Injunction
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111237398/sept-4-1902-york-pa-gazette-labor/
The Literary Digest, Volume 43
(New York, New York)
-May 13, 1911, page 973
(Search: “john p white” “united mine workers” “oskaloosa, iowa”)
https://books.google.com/books?id=n1VFAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA973&dq=%22john+p+white%22+%22united+mine+workers%22+%22oskaloosa,+iowa%22&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjV7PLbjdv6AhUElmoFHRl4CZ8Q6AF6BAgIEAI#v=onepage&q=%22john%20p%20white%22%20%22united%20mine%20workers%22%20%22oskaloosa%2C%20iowa%22&f=false
Sept 4, 1902, Pittsburg Kansan
-Campbell, Now “Anti-Injunctionist”, Sent John Reese to Jail in 1899
https://www.newspapers.com/clip/111236683/sept-4-1902-pittsburg/
Tag: Mother Jones v Judge Jackson 1902
https://weneverforget.org/tag/mother-jones-v-judge-jackson-1902/
Tag: West Virginia Coalfield Strike of 1902-1903
https://weneverforget.org/tag/west-virginia-coalfield-strike-of-1902-1903/
Correspondence for September 1902:
The Correspondence of Mother Jones
-ed by Edward M. Steel
U of Pittsburgh Press, 1985
https://books.google.com/books?id=EZ2xAAAAIAAJ
https://digital.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A31735057897435
-pages 37-38 (88 of 415) for Correspondence of September 1902:
https://digital.library.pitt.edu/islandora/object/pitt%3A31735057897435/viewer#page/88/mode/2up
https://cuexhibits.wrlc.org/exhibits/show/mother-jones-collection/letter-index/september15
From Mother Jones at Montgomery WV to William B Wilson, Sec-Tres UMWA:
Montgomary, W. Va.
Sep the 8th 1902My dear Comrade Wilson
I drop a line to tell you that gradully the Operators are coming our way. McCail sent for me last Sat. I made an apointment for next Tuesday. Will take with me Board Member Wright, and the Sub. dis. Pr.
Saturday, This place was all excitement. Yesterday we called a meeting and cleared it all up. There were rumors flying thick and fast, that they were being sold out for $8000. They came to me like helples children pleading for protection. I showed them yesterday what fools Operators would be to give one cent for no one but the miners themselves could settle this strike for there would have to be a convention called and let them decide. They are as sollid as rocks this morning. I must say that I love those people. They seem to have such abiding faith in me. I had over 3000 people at yesterdays meeting. I got the whole crowed in the best of spirits. everyone spoke of what a stroke of diplomacey it was and they went their way rejoicing. They came for miles.
Now I must give you the [circumstances] leading up to all this trouble. P [possibly G. W. Purcell] had a quarrel with Squire Montgomary [possibly Sam Montgomery] who is an Operator and Mayor of this place. I have always held his respect and could get him to do anything I want. The Mayor came and told me he was the dirtiest man he ever saw told me how he attacked him in his own office. The Mayor is a viscious man when aroused. I have no doubt but was instrumental in the story. P has placed himsel in a position to be suspicioned inocent thou he may be. he told St Clair [lawyer and politician of Fayetteville WV] in conference that he had 20 bills on his desk that he could not meet the funds were giving out at the National and they would have to quit. St Clair went to Rends and made that statement in a speech. I saw Mr Mitchell and gave him a History of the whole. I went directly from Ohio to the anthracite and gave him a history of the whole thing. This fight is won now. he is another Warner [William Warner, National Organizer, previously fired] but he has not got have the sense Warner had. I think the Pres will move him and send in Vasey. The thing no doubt will be closed up here soon. 0 my he has made so many Blunders frightful. If I could only see you to tell you the fool things this fellow has done. he is soaked with whiskey all the time.
I sent after money but I never got it. Tell Miss May to mark all my letters just Mother Jones other wise they get opened. I have had so many of my letters opened.
Just as soon as I can I will make out my expence. I dont have a moment. There is so much to do and I am on the go all the time. After the strike is over I will take a rest, but you [must know] there will be no time for rest. There are some good boys in here and they are fighting for dear life.
My love to all at home—Were going to win here
fondly
MotherI am clean out of money. I had to borrow money from Mr Mitchell
[Emphasis added.]
To Mother Jones at Montgomery WV from John Mitchell, President UMWA:
Hotel Hart, Wilkes—Barre, Pa.,
September 15, 1902.Personal.
Mother Mary Jones,
Montgomery, W. Va.
Dear Mother:I presume you received my letter notifying you that arrangements had been made for your meetings in Iowa, and that you have communicated with Reese [John P. Reese, President of Iowa miners] letting him know when you will reach there.
Bye the way, I sent for George [G. W. Purcell]. When he came here he reported to me that a rumor had been circulated in West Virginia that you had stated that you would have him removed from there. He was very indignant, and evidently believed that you had made such a statement to some one. You can readily appreciate the embarrassing position in which it placed me, and that I could not premptorily remove him while he was under the impression that you had made the statements attributed to you. I have therefore sent him back for a short period; just as soon as I can make arrangements to relieve him I shall do so. Regard this information as confidential, as no doubt some one is carrying things to him, and this person may be posing as friendly to you. I, of course, do not believe that you ever made the statement that has been conveyed to him, but he, nevertheless, believes you did. We are therefore forced to move along lines that will create the very least friction.
With love and best wishes, I am,
Yours truly,
[Signature: John Mitchell][Emphasis added.]
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The Most Dangerous Woman – Ani DiFranco & Utah Phillips