The Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1869-1872, 1869-07-14
Unhnd.

The workingmen of Nevada, irrespective of
occupation, met in convention in Virginia
City on the 9th instant. The delegates assem-
bled in pursuance Of q call issued by the
miners Of Storey county, short time previous,
for the purpose Of devising method, il such
were possible, to protect the interests of the
working classes of the State against the en-
croachments Of coolieism, which, under the
stimulus to that species of immiglRtion afford
ed by cheap transportation, combined with
the favor it meets from n certain class whose
interests are expected to be directly benefited
by it, is now being extensively introduced,
threatening in its increasing magnitude to
supplnnt free white labor, not only in Nevada,
but throughout the Pacific States and Terri
tories. The several labor organizations of the
State were, considering the appropriateness
of the time selected, and the excitement incl
dent to new mining discoveries in various
parts of the country, which attracted hun
dreds of the class whose interests were sought
to be benefited, tolerably well represented.
After an informal meeting of the delegates,
owing to the embarrassment which was con-
sidered rs likely to ensue to men unaccustom-
ed to public speaking and ignorant of parlia-
mentary law, from the presence of prying re-
porters and sneering politicians, it was deemed
prudent that their deliberations AS II body
should be private. This action on the part of
the convention, for which satisfactory and
substantial reasons were adduced, and not
withstanding the press was furnished with Il
full report of the proceedings, has been made
the preteNt for certain of our contemporaries To
show their disapprobation of the whole move
ment, and to scott ut the efforts of working
men to protect themselves. A White Pine
paperin particular has its sensibilities aroused,
smells danger in the mir, and under the
disreputable heading of THE Dark Lantern
Convention" shows its disproval of the
course pursued. 1t informs us that secret
consultations to promote public interests are
not readily comprehended; that outsiders are
apt to look OH closed doors with suspicion.
aud that to one afar off it looks like a "thim-
ble-rigging affair" etc. There il undoubtedly
class OF outsiders, principally political trick
sters, who look upon this labor movement
with suspicion and distrust. This is particu-
larly so in this instance, from the fact that
they have been denied the exercise of what
from long usage they consider prerogatye,
the privilege of manipulating the convention
Tor party purposes AID self-aggrandiZement
1t has been the custom Of politicians TO in
trnde themselves i'll gatherings of the people,
and by species of sophistry, in which from
long practice they have become proficient, To
control the management of affairs. and by
adroitncss secure personal or partizan popu-
larity. The Miners Convention quietly dis
pensed with the services of these advisers,
and III order to do SO effectually, closed their
doors against them; which conduct, it seems.
meets with the disproval of the contemporary
alluded to, who informs us THAT such a
course is seldom resOrted to in this country by
public body having honesty and the general
good in view.' That such course would not
have been rrsOrted to by the Miners Convcn-
ton had 1t not been for the causes assigned, is
evident from the fact that the proceedings Ms
before stated were reported i'll full to the En-
terprise. If, however, our White Pine cutcm-
poruTy is really and sincerely opposed to Sc
cret caucuses and deliberations, having the
general good in view, why not turn its batter
les in another direction. Ne do L,,y,r that il
has been customary for the party of whose
principles 1--WE infer from its teaching il is
II profound defender and exponent to hold
meetings "haying iii view the public good, 4"
aud that much has been accomplished through
the medium Of such meetings purporting to
be for the benefit of the people. 1t is scarce
possible that 1t can plead ignorance of the
fact as an excuse for its silence on the sub
ject heretofore. We are not the advocate or
defender of secret organizations of the class
under consideration, but palliating circum-
stances can be pleaded for the Miners Con-
vention and in view of the fact that the party
OF which our cotepporary is an organ, not only
tolerates but countenances such cOnclnves we
are reluctantly forced to consider it's taunts on
the present occasion uncalled for and unwar-
ranted.