FROM THE ARCHIVES:A heated debate at the Irish Trades Union Congress in 1911 over whether it should affiliate with the British Labour Party or form an Irish Labour Party almost came to blows between Jim Larkin and a Cork delegate called Lynch.
- JOE JOYCE
WHEN MR. Larkin [Lynch said] was organiser of an English union, and in receipt of the money of that union in the way of salary, he preached allegiance to the British Labour party on the streets of Cork.
Mr. Larkin (with vehemence) – That is a deliberate lie.
Mr. Lynch – You are at liberty to say so if you please.
Mr. Larkin – But you are not at liberty to state what you know to be untrue.
Mr. Lynch, continuing, amid much excitement, said – Now that Mr. Larkin has turned his coat –
Mr. Larkin (emphatically) – I am not going to allow any man to say that I have turned my coat.
Mr. Lynch was endeavouring to reply to him, and, although the confusion was very great, Mr. Larkin must have heard some of his observations, for, shouting at the top of his voice, and pointing to Mr. Lynch, he said: “He is a liar.”
This observation developed an angry spirit, and excitement ran high. Most of the delegates rose, and while some of them called upon Mr. Larkin to withdraw, others added to the scene of disorder by stamping with their feet on the floor.
Mr. Lynch shouted – How can we criticise the action of such men?
Mr. Larkin (turning to Mr. Lynch) – Quote my remarks, and if they are true I will admit them.
Mr. Lynch, ignoring this, said he only desired to point out the inconsistency of this man, Larkin. At the two previous Congresses Mr. Larkin had flaunted the name of Keir Hardie before the delegates.
Mr. Larkin replied – And I will do it again to-morrow.
Mr. Lynch – I am proud to acknowledge the work of the British Labour party, and so at one time were men like Mr. Larkin, who have dragged the Irish Labour movement through the mire. (Great confusion.)
Mr. Larkin jumped to his feet and, interrupting Mr. Lynch, said he would not take such allegations from a man who burned the balance sheet of the Cork strike. Pointing at Mr. Lynch, he shouted – “You dirty cur,” adding, as he buttoned his coat in a manner suggestive of possibilities – “You are a liar.”
As Mr. Larkin and Mr. Lynch seemed desirous of speaking to each others at closer quarters, several delegates intervened and kept them apart. They continued to shout defiantly at each other, and the Chairman, with a view to restoring order, rang his bell vigorously. His action failed to produce the desired effect.
Mr. Lynch, speaking excitedly, said – I have been a delegate to this Congress for years, and I will not permit this blackguard to call me a liar. I appeal to my fellow delegates against the insults of this fellow.
Mr. Larkin, with his hands clenched, looked decidedly angry, and again delegates intervened to prevent what threatened to be a personal conflict.
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