The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-14
st prairie countries in the State. Between

est prairie countries in the State. Between
the two places, there are several small
towns, and along the entire route are
farms, which, on the open prairie, look
like little specks on the great ornament Of
tie Creator. But As you ride along, these
f.l into insignihcanoe, aud have no attrac-
tion "a the constant stream Of humanity
which pours in At every station on the
line. all destined
FoR FAIRBURN.
The locomotive whistle reminds us that We
are drawing nigh To our destination. aud
We begin to prepare to set our feet once
meet the gentlemanly host Of the Fairbury
House. who gives you all the information
You require, and winds up by assuring You
that, that is the house for :" irst-class gen
tlemen. But time will not permit us To
tarry with mine host, so We wander forth
to find the obi ,ct Of our search, which is
obtained IN very few minutes walk. We
are introduced to Mr. William ireland, TO
whom We make known our purpose, and
that gentleman very kindly offers to assist
all in his power. In few moments, We
are introduced to Mr. Daniel Mclaughlin,
and preparations are Immediately set on
foot to have a meeting in the evening
sTRIKE.
While couversing with these gentlemen,
your correspondent learns that there is
something Of a strike gong on m this 1T |
tie place. Ii appears there are two shafts
At work, which, al this time # year, gives
employment. each, t. about twenty or 4
twenty-five men One is run by Ames- /
bury & Jones, the other by Marsh 4 sons.
The hrm Of Amesbury n Jones treat
their hands a. II they were men, and not \
as beasts, but Marsh & Sons are purse
proud. and act towards their men as If |
they possessed neither mind nor independ-
ence. Acting in acc prdance with this be-
hef, they informed their men that they
would cut down their wages twenty-five 4
cents on the ton. This was rather bit OF
cool information for the men who were
Digging dusky diamonds,
Underneath The ground"
But it aroused the indignation Of the .
holder spirits, and kind Of an embryo \
association was formed, and they deter
mined to resist the attempted reduction.
THE MEETING
on Thursday night was well attended, con
sidering the few hours notice they had to
call 1t together but what it lacked in
numbers, was made up in earnest ness, and
harmony.
Mr.. William Ireland, President of the
Association, acted as chairman, and Mr..
Mclaughlin, as secretary. The chairman
stated the object of the meeting, after
which your correspondent was introduced
to the meeting by Mr.. Mclaughlin. Your
correspondent delivered a short address on
organization, which was listened to very
atteutlvely by the meeting, after whom the
secretary, Mr.. Mclaughlin, spoke in ear
nest and eloquent terms on the needs Of a
Union.
Ia his remarks, he contrasted the posi-
ton of the miners Of Great Britain t.
those of the United States contended
that We needed more unity among the
miners not only for trade purposes, but
t. obtain legislation for the poor as well as
the rich. The latter, he said, could lock
the doors q legislation he wanted the
working people Of tins great republic to
place themselves in position tn unlock
them
After a little desultory conversation
among the members, Mr.. Mclaughlin
moved that the miners Of Fairbury organ
lie under the " Miners National Associa-
uun, which motion being seconded, wass
carried unanimously and SO the chain is
striking out III Illinois. At the request Of
the meeting, your correspondent remains
over e. address another meeting this
evening. B. j. NJ