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


the ADVOCATE the likeness Of one of Scot
lands sons, who labors for the
ameloriation of his fellow laborers,
and who is worthy of something
more than a passing notice. Mr..
JOHN JAMES, Secretary Of the Miners
National Union Of North America, is the
Oldest son of JOHN and MARY JAMES, Of
Nitshill, Renfrewshire, was born May
13, 1889, and is now i'll his thirty fifth
year. His father followed the occupation
Of miner, and his mother, like all
"mithers" of "auld Scotia, looked after
the interests of the "bairns" Thirty
years ago the opportunities for educating
the children Of the poorer classes of Great
Britain were neither many nor favorable,
nevertheless JoHN's parents managed to
give him the advantages of all the school
ing their means would permit. From the
time he was six years Of sge until he was
ten, he was sent to school and being Of a
studious turn of mind he advanced more
rapidly than most Of his fellow scholars,
and obtained the rudiments of an English
education. Having attained the age Of
ten years, and seeing many boys, younger
than himself at work, he expressed de-
sire to leave school and get employment, so
that he could add to the maternal purse.
At ten years of age he commenced work
ing in the mines in the neighbOrhood Of
Nitshill, where he labored until he was
fifteen years Of age. About this time
work in the mines became very dull, and
the father and son not being to able to find
work, the family moved to Johnstone. At
the latter place young JAMES joined the
Miners Association. 1t was here, also,
that he made the acquaintance Of Mr.. Nc
DONALD, President of the Miners Ma
tional Association Of Great Britain
friendship which is retained to the
present day During his stay in John
stone he took an active part in the agita-
tion which was then going on for the en-
actment of Miners Inspection Bill. {"
He also took an active part in organizing
what is known as the "Coliers' Associa-
ton" kind Of benevolent institution in
connection with the miners organization.
For these, and several other similar &C
tions, he incurred the displeasure Of the
Masters" of the mines, and none of
them would give him employment. This
action of the Masters" necessitated the
removal of Mr.. JAMES from Johnstone to
the little village Of Elderslie At this
village he made the acquaintance Of a
''bonnie winsome lassie," named Agnes
Campbell, and Mr.. JAMES piled the ARTS
of Cupid" 50 dextrously that after short
courtship they were joined in the holy
bonds of wedlock. From here he moved
to Inkerman, at which place he had
the honor of becoming what most men
are proud of-s father. But he was not
permitted to enjoy his new-found happi-
ness in peace and quietness for to add to
his responsibilities, the prevalence of OBJ
noxious gases in the mines compelled his
father, who was now pretty well advanced
in years, to quit working in the mines, and
the duty Of contributing to the support Of
the family, to large extent, devolved
upon himself.
Like all men who take an active part in
promoting the interests and welfare of
their fellow workingmen, the power and
influence Of petty tyranny was brought to
bear upon him. Being possessed of an
education superior to many of his class, he
was suspected of being the author of let
ter that was published in the Glasgow SEN
timel, rejecting on the management Of the
''Inkerman Colhery," and was discharged.
The house in which he was living belonged
to the company, and they carried their per-
secution 30 far as to compell him to leave
it within ten days, and thus in the early
years Of his married life, he found himself
q houseless, homeless wanderer He wend-
ed his way back to the village of his FIRST
love, Elderslie. The collieries of Elder
slie were owned by the Inkerman company,
but were run under different manage
ment Here, at the Balaklava Colliery,
Mn. JAMS obtained employment, and his
youthful hopes were once more raised to
point of buoyancy. But a. the poet says :
Hope tells nAttsring tale :"
20 it was with Mn. JAMES. His new hopes
were Of but short duration. As soon as it
became known who he was word was dis
patched for his dismissal. The demon of
persecution did its work, and Mr.. JAMES
il once more an idle man. He is now
vending his way toward the west Of SCOT
T. A-hswn L. J.. =