The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-03-14
From ILLINOIS.
VIRDEN, ILL.,, March

NIRDEN, ILL.,, March --, 1879.
To the Editor Of the woskISsaAss ADVOCATE
am sorry to say that through little
premature talk we have been led into
little trouble. We organized a lodge Of
the National Union Association on the 2lst
Of February. and We have now about TWEEN
ty honest and good men in our number,
and men who are more ready to stand up
for the rights Of our employers than any
in the business. But some Of our number
has talked las we think now little too
fast, and by so doing has gotten us in con-
tact with our " boss" who, prejudiced by
the errors Of the local unions, has been
led to say that he has studied this thing
for years; which statement We rather
doubt, as this organization has only been
in existence six months. So, for this,
among other reasons, we know that this
thing is grossly misrepresented to him BY
some who are round him, and who thing
they will soon have the thing in their own
hands. But we hope that our superin-
tendent, whom we know to be a man Of
honest principles, ard whose honest prin-
ciples would not allow him to oppose us In
this or any other step for the advancement
Of the vorkingmen, will consider this thing
before he becomes alienated from his best
men. and the men ever ready to study his
best interests in connection with their own.
Now, sir, we have proved many times that
when we ask the man whom we have to
look 40 to as "pit boss when we ask
him for our rights in the work-we have
been mostly refused, till we become so
much oppressed as to ask the superIntend-
ent to see to it for us and we know not a
case Except where Paddy wit has ran
ahead If us) where we have not been sat
lsded with this gentleman's decision.
Now, Mr. Editor, we are heartily sorry
/ for our able superintendent, tLat he has
I gwen way 50 far to our fat, lazy bog trOt-
ter as to think as his enemies, and to
uphold the man who will look and laugh at
us when we are mining in water all DAY,
and when We are cutting our own props
at the bottom, at the same time tells Mr..
4 UT that he is doing all in his power to
/ help us and to make us comfortable. This
man has said that he knows it will hurt
him ii the men Join the society-that he
has no friends in the work. Now q man
must have a very foul conscience to cause
him to express such an opinion Of himself
as this but we can confirm his statement
to the letter, and we can say that he Is the
cause of all the strife. Now such a state
of things are very hurtful to US. We have
joined the society and mean Ia stick to 1t
To man, and never finch one single
inch till we get satisfaction. Some Of our
men have orders to withdraw either their
tools from the pit or their names from the
Union, on or before the 10Th day II March,
which men seem to think more Of their
names than their tools. aud Will stand x
their integrity and manhood. Come what
may, we shall live till We die, ant We hope
that orr superintendent will consider tn 4
thing thoroughly for himself. and not listen
to others, whose tales are calculated "a
draw him away from his true men. and 4
plunge llm into continual strife AZ long as
our Hlbernian friend has the leadership
of the work All men VIII have Joined
the society have done 50 from motives q
defense and not defiance, and We are thank
full for the fact that there are plenty d
society men around as, 50 that If might
does in this instance overcome right, We
shall have work to do. The Changers here
have offered to furnish US with necessaries
if We will sink a shaft for them in the vi
Gritty Of Virden to which the results Of
the Goth will be an answer 50
II men will join the Union.
And altogether strive,
Wurking men their rights will gam.
| And LABOR uili retitr.
Soon we viii send you a list Of oul
grievances, which insert and oblIge
Yours in the Cause,
FAIR PLAY.