The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-03-16
TINE MINER.
MURPHYsBORo, March 8, 1877.

To the Editor q the woRkNexAEs ApvocArK
Please insert the following in the ADvo-
CATE, as we would like to let you know
some Of our transactions, and how we are
treated by our bosses. They came to Us
and wished US to make q contract with
them. You will see by the following our
terms, which, we think, are fair and reason
able, yet, they think, they are too binding
and obligatory, and they wouldnot accept Of
them, and then turn around and throw in
situations on Us. Then, they say, they
can place no confidence in US, and say they
make no contracts to sell coal, but ct the
same time they are first to make the aggres-
sions but we determined to claim full
justice for ourselves under all circum-
stances.
To the Honorable President and Directors
Of the Grand Tower Mining Manufactur-
ing and transportation Company.
We, the miners of Mount Carbon mines,
make m offer of basis of contract for
mining coal for the year eighteen hundred
and seventy-two, viz:
first party agree to make . contract for
mining caol for the year eighteen hundred
and seventy-two, for one dollar and ten
cents.
Sec. 2. That the second party 10 the
first party will allow i've cents per ton an a
security to bind second party to fulfill the
contract, and the above aforesaid five cents
TO be redeemed at the expiration of the con-
tract, and if second party fail to fulfill the
contract with first party, the above bond is
forfeited.
Sec. s. That the second party require
a bond from the first party of fifteen
thousand dollars 10 secure the contract
from first party, and the above bond, in
any case Of q breach Of contract, to be
forfeited and paid to second party.
Sec. 4. That the second party viii hire
their own blacksmith; and first party to
furnish blacksmith shop and tools.
Sec. 3. That in case Of men leaving
previous to the expiration of said contract,
the first party holds the aforesaid five cent
bond as to contract until the end OF term of
contract, Jan. l, 1872, when the aforesaid
i've cents 10 be paid to the claimant
Sec. g. II in case that the first party
will discharge an employee for lawful
cause, that all his claims be paid ut the
time.
Sec. Z. That the second party contract
TO fill five mining cars between two men
per day, and an extra car or two per week,
if required. by giving due notice to provide
coal, unless sickness or other unavoidable
circumstances may occur and, also, second
party demands the right from first party
the same amount Of coal, say five cars per
day and two extra per week, or otherwise
not less than five days work per week, and
il first party needed more coal than what
second party can fill, or what contract calls
for, the FIRST party can hire more men and
discharge them according TO the first party's
proposition, providing that first party pay
them at the standing price.
Sec. 8. In case that a difficulty Of any
Importance should arise between the first
and second parties, that each party will
choose two men each, and the both parties
TO choose the fifth in case that it could not
be settled by both parties, and second par
ty TO work while the case is under investi-
CATION Of the arbitrators.
9. That the second party agree and
bind ourselves TO fill this contract, provid-
ing that FIRST party will allow the second
party the same privileges as heretofore re-
speeding any grievances and difficulty, or
otherwise amy kind Of obstacle which often
occur in the mines, and that the second par
ty holds the same power TO have any diff
6culty investigated by the second party's
committee and, also, that the first party
having the same weights, measures and
screens to continue the same a. when this
contract in made until the end of said con
tract.
The basis Of this contract was well con-
sidered by I'M; in fact we came to the con-
clusion that il would be better for both
parties, M it would prevent strikes, and We
ask no more per ton than what We had pre-
viously. We offered to let them have 1--WE
per cent a. q security until We fulfilled sAid
contract. They had the advantage in this,