The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1873-06-28

BRADwoop, June II, 1873
70 the Editor o. the woEKSeAASs ADVOCATE
1t must be evident to every thinking
man who works in the coal mines u this
country, that something must he done, if
We, as body Of wOrkmen, wish to enjoy
the freedom the founders Of this free Re
public intended for all classes The action
Of those large corporations, who are the
controlling power in the mining industries
Of the country, are evidences Of the fact
that they are slowly. but surely, rivetng
the chains Of slavery around Us. Now the
question that arises 10, what is best to be
done to destroy this system Of bondage
which is grasping ITS victims day by day,
month by month, and year by year Or
Eanize organize should be the watchword
Of every man who earns his bread in the
coal mines Of the country. 1t is useless
for those men who have formed themselves
into q local organization 10 think that they
have done all that is necessary for their
protection and welfare No no gentle
men, We admit they are very good to be-
OF was, nor never will be, able to cope With
the combination Of capital that holds US ia
its grasp If ever we expect justice and
fair play, instead of tyranny and oppres-
sion, our organization must extend to ev-
cry eoal mining state in the Union. Then,
and not till then, will we, as a class, be
able to demand all the rights and priv
leges, fair play and even handed Justice,
that the constitution of the country guar
Anteed to each and all Of its citizens But
some men may say, we cannot accomplish
such gigantic undertaking; We say that
it can DO accomplished, there is nothing
impossible in the matter; and further, We
believe there is as many good and true men
In the various coal works of the different
States, If properly appealed to, As would
furnish sufficient money to defray the ex-
pense that would be incurred IL establish
ing such All organization. If there is any
thing going to be done for the benefit II
the miners in Illinois, Missouri and In
while the weather Is iii our favor We all
know how difficult it is to get men to as
semble on u cold winters evening whom
the thermometer stands at 10 OF 20 de
grees below zero. AS we are ignorant az
our States council, We have no wish TO
throw any blame on that body, but We a.
think there rs something wrong, and we
hope that no more time will be lost in call
I ~.
Indiana and Missouri, and that everything
that can be done will be done to bring il
before the notice Of all the miners in the
three States mentioned, So that All viii
have an opportunity to send a representa-
tive, if So desiring. Let 1t not be confined
to representatives from organized bodies
only, but let sn invitation be gwen % the
men IN every district who are DESTROYS III
being united to send their representative
| likewise; IN acting thus, the Council could
form an estimate Of the strength that was
pre- pared to back them III their glorious
undertaking.
We have no idea IF the numbers that
are united IN the three States that com.
under our general council, but We DO think
/ that there 10 a sufficient number t. defray
the expense OF a general agitation for the
purpose Of extending the union INTO every
town and village where miners are wurA
/ ing IL the union men would throw ln
their mite, and carry out these suggestions,
/ then the time would not be far distant
/ when We, as a class would he able to com
mand the respect that il due to "a. sud
what is If more interest 70 US would be
able to demand fair and Just share w the
/ profits Of our labor The two companies
| that We mentioned in our last communica-
ton, are the only ones that have requested
the men TO sign ten hour contract up t.
the present date Of writing And, strange
/ though 1t may appear neither Of the two
companies have a sufficient demand far
coal to keep the men half employed IN
work five hours a day on an average Al
though they compelled the men 60 sign a
ten hour contract But such Is the way Of
the tyrant when there is no muzzle for
| him MINER