The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-11-29

the DENNY" works, where he remain;
and has an opportunity to resuscitate him
self. While working here he reads Of the
extraordinary opportunities there are for
working men in the Western Hemisphere,
and he resolves to cross the Atlantic III
search of better fare and peace of mind.
Having completed all arrangements, tax
en- an afectionate adieu Of his parents
embracing young, loving and confding
wife, to whom he commits the care of his
offspring, he bids long and lasting fare
well to his native land the home of his
childhood, the scenes Of his trials and
pleasures, and embarks on board an Amer
lean emigrant ship, resolved to make a
home in the young Republic.
| In 1865, shortly after the close Of our
civil war, Mr.. james landed in the city Of
New York, from whence he went to Balti-
more, in response to an advertisement for
miners to 90 to West Virginia. With the
agent in Baltimore he had tacit under
standing that there was no trouble at the
mines, (Newburgh,) and the agent assured
him, and those who We're with him, that,
in the event Of his finding the men on a
strike, he and those with him should not
90 to work until all was settled, and he
(the agent) would pay all necessary ex-
penses.
When Mr. James and his companions
! (for there were several besides himself }
arrived at Newburgh they found the men
on strike for an advance Of wages. Be
fore proceeding to the mines, Mr.. James
and his companions made it their business
to see some of the miners, who were living
in the vicinity of Newburgh, and from
them learned the exact nature of the sit
uation. In reply to questions Of some Of
the miners of the place as to what the new
comers we're going to do, he MIR. James,
replied, "We are Scotchmen, and we are
not going to take the bread out of your
mouths. When they met the Superin-
tendent, Mr.. James had to act as spokes-
man for the rest. Going to the superin-
tendent of the mine, he stated to him
their business and the understanding they
had with the agent at Baltimore. The
Superintendent said he had received no
instructions from the agent, but supposed
he would the next day.
A few days later, Mr. James had an
other interview with the superintendent,
when an angry alteration took place be-
tween them. The Superintendent said he
had no instructions to board him, nor the
men he brought him, and that he and his
companions would have to 90 to work, as
they we're in debt to the company. Mr..
James replied that they did not the
agent hired them under false pretenses !;
the company had violated their contract,
and they were not responsible to the com
pany. The Superintendent said they
had no contract" Mr.. James took the
contract from his pocket and read it, The
Superintendent then said, "YoU," (mean-
ing Mr.. James) cant get work here any
how" Mr.. James replied, II have trav-
elled more than five thousand miles to hnd
employment, and | will travel five thou
sand more before | work while the men
are on strike" Thus ended the inter
view.
Mr.. James and his companions stood
the strike with the rest Of the men, at
Newburgh, and joined the American Min
ers' Association, which was in existence at
that time Q865). During the strike, Mr..
James worked on farm for his board.
Finally he borrowed fifteen dollars, with
which he went to Oak Hill, Pa, where he
worked for one year. While here he sent
I IOr MS WIG. rrOln Odk I1ln nc Wcut W
Coal Valley, Rock Island, ILL.,, where, he
had heard, wages we're better. But when
he got there he found they were not so
good, and returned to Oak Hill. He was
finally persuaded by friend (Jas. Braid
wood to go to Braidwood, H., where
work was plenty and wages good. In IL
linois Mr.. James found grand field to
work in. Having taken an active part in
organizing the Miners Benevolent and As
sociation Of the Northwest, he was, at
their first meeting, elected Secretary, and
has held that position from that time to
the present.
In the District of Braidwood, he has al
ways been the mouth-piece of the miners.
He has at all time proved their faithful
friend and discreet counsellor He has
represented them in all their District and
State Conventions. Discovering that the
immoderate use Of intoxicating liquors
was an obstacle to their moral and social
advancement, he resolved to break il up,
and succeeded in organizing lodge Of
Good Templars, of which he was elected
Worthy Chief. There are now three
lodges of Good Templars in Braidwood
and its vicinity, of which Mr. James is
OH6 Vi bhAo Ac1uAnS sPHibs olohS SOhOA al
membership of several hundred.
At the recent session of the Miners Ma
tional Association, Mr.. James was unani-
mousIy elected Secretary, a position for
which he is peculiarly qualified, and in
which, we have no doubt, he will give
general satisfaction. In his new and en-
lsrged sphere Of usefulness, we wish him
all success, fully satisfied he will prove a
faithful, pains-taking, and reliable official.
His many Western friends part with him
with regret, though believing that their
loss viii rebound to the best interests Of
the organization.