The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1872-01-27
VOLUME VIII.
ANNUAL CONVENTION
Coal Miners Association
OF THE
STATE OF ILLINOIS.


Pursuant to the provision III the Bylaws
Of the Miners Benevolent and Protective
Association Of the State of Illinois, the mi
ners met in Convention on "Wednesday, the
10th INST, in Mr.. Reverly's Hall, Spring
field, H., by their representatives. The
meeting was not very largely attended, and
was called to order by the President, Mr.
Vim. Z. Owens, Of Caseyville, ILL.,, at 10
a. m, in the following remarks
GENTLEMEN Having met on this occasion,
1t gives me pleasure To that the principles
Of union have not entirely vanished from the
hearts of the coal miners of this State al
though it is with regret that ! have to address
such a small number in proportion to the num-
Der of miners IN this state, whose interests are
identical with ours, VINO are here endeavorlng
to advance the interests and elevate the con
dition Of all and in view of this fact it be-
hoOves you as representatives to act with cool
and candid Judgment and without prejudice or
partlahty to any section. Endeavor to leqs-
late with care, and do the most good for the
largest number. And for that purpose
would desire to call your attention to the fol-
lowing questions
lst The Organization of the State and for
that purpose would advise the appointment
Of committee Of three ON organization, with
power to employ one or more men to visit the
various localities Of this State for the purpose
of organizing lodges and also prepare an adj
dress to the miners Of this State, calling their
attention to the necessity of uniting with their
fellow men, and that said committee shall be
empowered to assess a levy on all members for
that purpose.
2d The question of exchanging Travelling
Cards from one lodge to the other and from
one State to the other, SO that members viii
be recognized throughout the United States.
Sd The National Organization. This ques
tion has received the attention OF some OF our
leading men IN other States. anil at a recent
session Of the State General Council of Ohio
resolution was adopted in favor of the same /;
and the State Of Indiana. through their dele
gate, James Grieves, are in favor of the same ::
therefore ! deem it my duty to call your at
tentiOn to it
4th. An Official Organ Since our last
Council was held our official organ, the Western
Mmer, has suspended, and the only paper we
have at present in the state Is the WORKING
MANS ADVOCATE, Of Chicago. which will in
the future, as IN the past defend our interests :;
us with two columns Of the paper weekly for
the purpose of advancing our interests. There
fore | would recommend you 10 acknowledge
it as our official organ, and that such measures
be adopted as You may deem proper to increase
its circulation and lodges are recommended
to advertize their place and time of meeting.
9TH | would also desire to call your atten-
tion to the necessity OF urging all coal miners
to cooperate with the National Labor Union
by endorsing its platform, and endeavOr to
elect men who Will advance and uphold our in
terests IN the Legislative halls Of our country.
And IN conclusion | feel indebted to J. w.
Thorley and J. James, our Secretary, for
their ready advice on all subjects.
Hoping that the next President will be
more competent to I'LL the office than | have
been hoping also that our humble efforts to
establish a perfect organization in this State
will be crowned with success, so that future
generations may look at our actions with pride
| trust kind Providence will bless us all
When the President concluded his ad-
dress Mr.. j. Hall was elected Secretary,
pro tenn, Mr.. J. James, of Braidwood, be-
ing absent The roll was then called, after
which Mr. Webb, of Bloomington, and
Walliscroft, Of Springfield, were appointed
a committee on credentials. The commit
tee reported that all were supplied with the
necessary papers and thereupon admitted
to their seats. Mr.. James Grieves, from
Indiana. and Mr.. A. G. Cameron Of the
WoRKINGMAN's ADVOCATE of Chicago were,
upon motion, allowed seats in the Conven-
ton, and took their places.
Cpon motion, committee of three,
Messrs. Webb, Thorley and Walliscroft
were appointed to wait upon Governor
Palmer, and give him the views Of the
miners regarding the bill now pending its
third reading in the House of Representa-
tives, and urge upon him the necessity of
its passage, that the lives, the limbs, and
the health Of this important class Of the cit
izens of Illinois might have that protection
which the hazardous nature Of their calling
demanded.
Messrs. Cameron and Logan were invited
to accompany the delegation.
A motion was also passed instructing the
committee to solicit the influence Of the
Governor with the members Of the Legis-
lature in urging them to pass the miners
bill now before them.
On motion the meeting now adjourned
till half past one o'clock. p. IN.
ADJOURNED SESSION.
President Owens in the chair.
communication from Mr.. Pollock, Of
the Miners Association Of Ohio, on the
subject Of general union Of the States
was read and referred for after considera-
ton. An article by Mr.. Webb was also
read, which was likewise referred.
Upon motion, the Convention went into
the examination of the constitutional laws
of the society, thinking that changes could
be made in them that would be advanta-
geous to the miners interests in the future.
After considerable discussion, however, the
question Of alteration was referred to the
Lodges, the changes to be made after ma
jority report had been obtained from them.
The following preamble and resolutions
were then read and carried, unanimously:
WHEREAS, Since the suspension Of the
Western Miner, the organ of the miners of the
West and of Illinois, the miners of Illinois
and Indiana have been without an organ, and
feel largely the want This meeting feeling
the great necessity the miners have for jour
nal in the Western States, through which to
express their sentiments on all subjects per
tanning to their interests, and knowing none