The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-06-13

culaT, NOV. list, 1917, addressed 10 the Work
men Of this place in reply to our request for
an advance Of prices, lat that time due us,
but for the existence of the contract, in which
the following language is used
'We trust each of you will take a copy of
this address to your homes, read it, ponder
well its contents, and by your action show
the country at large that you are reasonable
men, determined faithfully to abide by your
agreement, thereby commanding the respect
OF all fair minded men.
Res0ired. That we would ask the companies
addressed in this to use the extract referred
to as we did, and comply with the following
requests
l. DO not ask us 10 sign contract that will
forbid our obtaining a return of the reduction
at any time the trade will warrant it during
the ensuing year.
2 DO not ask to alter our present price for
pushing for the reason that whatever may be
the state of the coal trade that warrants the
reduction in digging, there surely cannot be
any reason for reducing pushing, that which
we now have was sufficient to pay the
man who done the work, 81. 80 per day.
ReSoired, That our secretary be instructed
| to forward a copy Of these resolutions and re-
quests to each Of the superintendent Of the
| several companies mentioned herein, and that
we request a conference between a committee
Of our miners and any representative the
companies chose to send to us. to deliberate
on the fairness Of our requests or an answer
through the secretary on or before Monday
the LIST Of June, before 10 o'clock a. IN.
MEETING or JUNE FIRST.
The next meeting was fixed for Monday
June LIST, as that was the time designated
for an answer to the resolutions. At
| L.. T., an, IA.
grove, and by half past | o'clock, when the
Braidwood Miners Brass Band entered the
school house grounds, there were not less
than 1900 persons assembled, being the
largest meeting ever held in Braldwood.
The meeting was called to order by
Simon BrittoL. John Young was selected
as chairman. The chair opened the meet
ing in few appropriate remarks, III which
he alluded to the present troubles ii
brief and terse language. At the close OF
his remarks he introduced Mr.. DAME
Mclaughlin, who delivered a telling speech
Of an hour and half, during which he
was frequently applauded. Mr.. McLaugh
lin sat down amId long and continued ap
plause.
The meeting was then addressed by
members of the French. Italian and Bohe
mIan Lodges.
At this stage Of the proceedings a tele
i gram was received from MIR. John SIney
President Of the Miners National Union
stating he had failed to make connection!
at Chicago to be III time for their meetin!
at l o'clock, but he would De with them a
3 o'clock
RECEPTION OF JOHN sINEY.
After the speaking was over, and as tn,
| time was near at hand when the train gOin.
south would arrive at the depot, the mel
formed III line Of procession, and, headed
by the band, marched to the depot. |
was not long before the shrill whistle q
the IRON horse intimated the near approach
of the tram A. few minutes afterward
! the tall form of the National Preslden
might be seen moving among the sturdy
miners of Braidwood, and as the tran
moved of on its destination the passenger
could hear the lusty cheers, mingled witt
stirring music, that greeted the dlstln
guished parsonage they leIt behind them
The procession was reformed, and moved
up Main street to our place Of destination
when it was dismissed TO meet again on The
following day
During the afternoon Of Monday Mr.
Slney was entertained by his friends, anc
with the leading men of the place he hac
long and earnest conversations on the
| situation.
THE MEETING ON TUESDAY.
Pursuant to adjournment, the men me-
on the grounds Of the Grove School house
After the NEE ting was organized the chair
1 4, h.. 8 81
tional Union, who was received with un
bounded applause. Mr.. Siney, in a very
eloquent and forcible speech, reviewed the
situation of the country. In the course o.
his remarks he said that the bosses were
trying the same dodge all over the country
that they were trying in Braidwood. They
were taking advantage of the present de
pressed condition Of the country, and the
consequent poverty of the workingman
and knowing that they (the bOsses) viii
never 90 short Of one meal IN consequence
also knowing that the cries of hunger from
the wives and children of the working
classes would almost compel them to sign
anything. He hoped that whatever the
men did do they would do it as one man.
If they concluded to go to work, 60 al
together, and if you conclude to come out,
come out all together, and stand shoulder
to shoulder like brothers till you have
brought the strike to a successful issue
And if you will only do this, have no feal
for TIE consequences. In conclusion he
hoped they would always and at all times
try to keep within the pale Of the law. He
advocated the policy Of peace at all times
and under all circumstances. He said he
did not intend to leave Brentwood till such
times as he had had an interview with some
higher official than he had as yet done,
He wished to ferret the thing to the end
with these remarks he would conclude,
After he had concluded ard the applause
had subsidized, the President Of the District,
Daniel Mclaughlin, made some very pointed
remarks, which were listened to with great
interest throughout, being often received
with applause
After Mr. Mclaughlin concluded, there
was great deal of discussion participated
III by some hive or SIX others, after which
a motion was made that we offer to com
promise with the coal companies as follows
| We VIII submit to q reduction of fifteen
cents per ton, If they are willing to let the
pushing stand as 1t Is. Accordingly there
were various committees appointed to wait
upon the several coal companies, and a
delegation was appointed to wait upon Mr..
v alker, President Of the Z. W. a. V. Coal
Co at his residence In Chicago. The del
egatlon consisted Of Frank Lofty and John
CreeIey, accompanied by the President OF
| National Union.
The weather was now SO inclement-the
ram pouring in torrents-the meeting ad-
journed to meet on Wednesday at l o'clock
p. m.
Meeting convened ON Wednesday, John
Young, presiding. The chairman stated