The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-30
FROM IOWA.

Yours etc., VRRTrAs.
FROM IOWA.
BooNsBoRo MINES, April "a.
M The Editor Of ths woRxnexAxs ADVOCATE.
This place is situated two miles of
west of Boonsboro, on the Des Moin
River. The only business carried on
here is coal digging, but not On q very
large scale; still it is about the most ex-
tensive in this country. The coal is
taken away by teams to Boonsboro,
but the most of our coal is taken to
Montana, a lively town, one mile from
Boonsboro, on the Chicago and North
western Railroad, where the said Com
pany has a Goa! house to supply their
engines &c. Spring has made its ap-
pearance, and the old Des Moines
River has unveiled her icy face, which
she wore for many long months. This
is q signal to us few diggers that our
harvest is over in working matters for
the present, until the fall trade opens
again. The coal trade at present is a
dead head five work ten days. a month
until then, we will be doing well. But
one evil never comes alone by itself,
so here work is curtailed, an reduc-
ton Of half cent per bushel, has taken
affect since the LIST of March. The
supply far exceeds the demand, the only
source Of consumption is the railroad
company and a few scattering mills.
A little over two years ago l came to
Iowa. and in overlooking the past, what
a change has taken place regarding the
compensation of labor &c. A reduction
of p cents per bushel has been made
from time to time, which can never be
recalled again. The operators are re-
sponsible for this evil, in showing
their duplicity in making big promises.
if the miners acquiesce to them, when
common sense would teach us better.
But they never had the msnliness to
reduce the price of coal which the
miner uses for his domestic use as fuel,
nor the powder and oil he consumes,
for they will have their profits what
ever price they will sell for
A little over year ago an associa-
tor was organized here to protect our
selves against the tyrannical measures
adopted by the operators of these re-
gions. / am sorry to say that it has
been like many an organization before
it, was strangled through the perfdy of
a few old hoppers, and betrayed by
some of our own members who comes
under the term black leg. There are
two classes of these, but the one that
has one leg white and the other black
is the bite 'est enemy of all. Oh how
smoothed faced he is whenever his fel-
low-workmen meets together to renon-
strate against some encroachments
pertaining to their work, he takes an ac-
tive part, listens with precision, and is
accurate of all remarks made, and by
whom, as soon as the word adjourned
given, he makes hasty steps towards the
boss's house to give the proceedings of
the meeting; this is showing the black
leg with the cloven foot.
We are now at their mercy-having
our labor increased such as thankee
jobs. If any remonstrance is made to
do such, the order of the day is, out with
your tools. Such is the principles of
our doglnatic bosses, and woe to the
digger who utters a word of union SEN
timents, or seeks redress for the wrongs
received the bloated aspirants are
ready to pronounce the anathema upon
bis head. When will the coal diggers
of Iowa come to realize their position
as men, or to fully understand their
own interests. / say arouse every man
to his duty to paralyze the strong arm
of the oppressive capitalist who sways
his iron rod over you who lives and
rolls in Injuries at the expense Of your
pittance. | am proud to see
my fellow craftsmen in Illinois awaken
ing up to their sense Of duty. | hope
they will keep the true maxim before
them in union is strength" 1t re-
quires unity to contend successfully
against our oppressors. Be determined
and energetic-uot to extreme-this is
injurious. Also neglecting to do your
duty is injurious.
We must admit that we are two
ready oft times when members of an
that we have nothing to do,
but that all the responsibility and work
is on the officers to perform. This is
great mistake F; each and every one has
work to do, whatever circle he is placed,
in and ding our work faithfully and
honestly, the society will flourish
and become a bright star amongst the
hundreds Of societies which are or
ganized for the benefit of the human
family. Be watchful to steer the helm
Of your craft to avoid breakers ahead.
Sustain your cause faithfully and unde-
fled. All, who knows, when we are
aging in our narrow graves embraced
by death, the rising generation will drop
a prayer of blessings upon our heads
Tor having left s1ch legacy, and that
such glorious institution been preserv-
ed for them. MINER.