The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-11-22

Salne Conuer years, nad 10 work from IN
the morning until y o'clock in the eve
ming When about sixteen years of age,
the Woods attempted to cut down is wages
sixpence per week equivalent to thirteen
cents). To this he would not submit. and
left the mills Of Woods 4 Co. much to tie
regret of many of his companions and as
soclates.
In the mean time some Of his brothers
had grown up and we're working in the coal
mines, in the vicinity of Wiggan. From
them JOHN obtained a knowledge Of the
workings usages and sufferings of the mi
ners, and not liking the experience of his
brothers, he declined following their occu-
patton. He sought employment elsewhere
MR. SINEY soon found work in the brick
yards of Wiggan. His manly demeanor,
coupled with his independence of charac-
ter and social disposition, won for him many
friends and admirers among the Wiggan
brick makers. His advancement in his
new occupation was very rapid, and he
soon became competent hand. While
working in the brick yards he organized
the men under the name Of the Brick
makers Association of Wiggan, and was
chosen their President, position which
he held for seven years.
In 1868, Mr.. SISEY arrived in New
York, with the intention of going South.
Having some little means-the savings of
many years of hard toil-he remained in
the great metropolis for short period
We next md him in the coal regions of
Pennsylvania Clair, Schuylkill county.
Finding he could do no better, and having
a knowledge of mining, he accepted po-
sition in the Newburgh mines. 1t was in
this region Mr.. SINEY fully developed his
executive ability. Finding the miners in
a measure demoralized, believing the pay
received inadequate to the labor they were
called upon to perform, and the dangers
they were exposed to, he resolved to
organize the miners. In this move
ment he was ably seconded by many
of his associates. The result of their CO.
labors was a Miners Association. Mr..
SINEY was offered the Presidency, but de-
clined in favor of one of the older men,
bers, who was chosen 20 fill that position.
Soon after the formation of the organiza-
tion, the President left for another section
of the country, and Mr.. SISEY was unan-
imously chosen President. In the great
strike of 1868, for the enforcement Of the
Eighth Hour system, Mr.. SINEY was a
strong advocate for the acceptance of a
reduction of wages as well as the hours Of
labor, knowing as he did that the change
would be beneficial to the men, morally
socially and financially.
In July, 1868, the county organization
was formed, and Mr.. SISEY was chosen to
preside over its deliberations, and has
every year since been unanimously elected
I to the same position.
4 Mr.. s. is one Of the few men who be-
lieve in general organization. He always
held fellowship in the State Union, and at
its meeting in Harrisburgh, last March, he
I was, by a unanimous vote, chosen its Pres
ident, thus obtaining the highest gift it
was in the power Of his fellow workingmen
/ to confer.
Always impressed with the necessity Of
national organization, wherever practi-
cable, among workingmen, he never lost
an opportunity to agitate the question Of
a National Union o. miners among his fell
low workingmen. At the meeting Of the
National Industrial Congress, in Cleve-
land, he met with several representative
men from the mining sections Of the North
west, and he presented the matter so for
chilly before them, that it was formally un-
derstood that a Convention OF miners, for
tAi.e purpose of forming National Union,
should be called as early as practicable
In accordance with this understanding, a
call was issued for a convention to be held
in Youngstown, Ohio.
In this Convention the ablest minds ol
the miners came together, and laid the
foundation of union which must
rebound to the credit and benefit
Of the mining community. The well
being and keeping Of this vast
structure is placed in the hands Of
Nh. SINEY. Thus it is that the little mill
boy Of Wiggan, the son Of an elected Irish
farmer, whose love of liberty and hatred
Of oppression brought him to American
soil, has become the representative Of 200,
600 of his fellow workmen. As Labor
Reformer, he is Of the progressive school
and sympathises with all movements which
look to the moral or social elevation of the
workingmen.
As speaker, MR. SISEY is fluent, for
chile and eloquent, and invariably com
mands the attention Of his audience. Al
a leader, he is cool, determined and saga
cious-as a friend-6rm and true AS al
adviser, safe and reliable. As an executive
we trust and believe-he will prove |
grand success.
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