Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1830-04-28

TlOus uCCAuchtS - Pci iiohth, toi uo hpes
twelve months. In the year 1916, we
had but one killed, and sevcnty-two ac-
cidents in twelve months. In the year
1916, on the very ground once used for
cock-fghts, sc, we had erected large
brick chapel, built with the donations
from these same golfers. In 1915, we
had three Sunday schools established,
and the teachers, male and female, Sc
lected from the workmen and their
daughters. And in the same year, we
established benevolent club, which was
managed principally by the workmen.-I
The original articles are now before me.
In all this great work, the language you
shall, or, insist, sc. was never used ),
but every man had the credit of reform
ing at his own free will-therc was no
compulsion. And the same course !
have pursued in every other instance
where have had the charge Of mines (;
and have brought to pass a complete
change, lasting in its effects, and this in
different countries.
sAt last the vicissitudes Of fortune
brought me to the II. Island coal mines.
When first came here, it is not unknown
to you and others, that the workIncn who
could not, and did not drink his pint of
whiskey pcrday, was not allowed towork,
but set adrilt besides extra liquor bro't
upon the works; and sent to their houses,
and that too by the person whose duty it
was to have prevented it. Not week
passed without general combat of from
twenty to thirty at a time, engaged with
slaves, spades, picks, axes, and any 9TH
er weapon next at hand, to the great dan
ger of each others lives, and to the ruin
of the works. All this ~as the effect of
the usual allowance of grog. In the lat
ter part of 1896, you together with the
ex-committcc, appointed me to the super
intendency ofthese mines; and ask you
yourself, to bear testimony to the i'm
proved state of the works and worlsmcn.
Early in 1897 I commenced a general
revolution, with a determination to do
away with the worst Of all evils, and the
greatest curse ever inflicted on work.
man, that of allowing him liquor while at
work, and permitting him to have it in
his house. l should have accomplished
our wishes much sooner, had it not been
for several unforeseen accidents in work
ing among the old works filed with water.
But keeping steady to the point, l had
the satisfaction of seeing my plans grad
ually bearing down the long cherished
habit, and a very pcrceptable improve
nent taking place in every family. And
on the first Monday in October last, eve
ry man came up to the contingencies,
and with one voice, of their own free
will, desired ne to cease to give out any
more grog. They had always consider
ed liquor part of their wages, and had
relinquished it without asking an cquiva-
liant. In order, therefore, to repay this
sacrifice on their part, and to encourage
such good deeds, did at that time what
policy pointed out to be my duty and,
accordingly, there and then informed
them, had the company's authority to
add to their wages more than an equva-
lent for what they had given up, by ad-
vancing their wages from eighty-eight
and half, to ninety-two cents per day.
Those families, who twelve months ago
were clothed in rags, and with not a
weeks provision beforehand, in Decem-
Der last, were, both man, woman and
child, well clothed, and three months
provision beforehand besides cash in
hand, none having less than twenty, and
some near one hundred dollars not one
on the sick list, but every soul in excel
lent health Twenty months ago, our
young single men had but one poor rag
ged suit of clothes each, and were gcncr-
ally in debt Last December they mad
each two, and one of them three suits of
good clothes, and from fifty to one hun
dred dollars in cash each. During the
winter, two have taken to themselves
wives and it gives me great pleasure to
say, believe they will be happy and do
well. Two ofour young men you have
had with you during the winter in the