The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-02-28
Miners Troubles.

! 1t appears that some Of the coal opera
tors IN this vicinity, deeming themselves
unable to pay the price of digging that has
been III vogue for some time past, have re-
cuced the price to three cents a bnshel, and
have induced some Of the digQers TO con-
tlnue work at this price OF course this
created much CONSERVATION among the
great body Of dig2ers, and mess meeting
was held in West Belleville on Monday
afternoon last, at which the following reso-
lutions were adopted:
WHEREAS, An effort is being made by some
OF the operators in this district to reduce the
price OF mining to three cents bashel and
WHEREAS, Some weak minded men have
oeen prevailed upon to comply with this IN
Just demand therefore be i.
ResotUed, That this meeting il in favor Of
maintaining the price-four cents-at all
hazards
hesotUed, That the District President be re-
quested TO call mass meeting Of the miners
at ten O'Clock tomorrow tuesday to consider
what Is best to be done in the present emer-
gency to maintain the four cents f~r mining
1t Is estimated that at least l, 900 miners
we're present at this meeting, evidencing
the absorbing interest taken in the move
inert. Their proceedings we're decurous
and harmonious. 1t was arranged at the
meeting that a deputation should visit Stol-
berg pit, for the purpose Of demonstrating
with the men who had gone to work for
three cents bushel. The deputation pro-
ceeded early Tuesday morning tofulhll their
appointment, but were met on the way by
Sheriff Hughes and posse. A parley en-
sued. when the deputatiOn, not desiring to
~ anrtbrnrr F,,I ~
public peace, wheeled about and marched
back to West Belleville, where another
mass meeting was had, with John Morgan,
president OF the Miners Union, in the
chair. The meeting adopted with unanimi-
ty the following resolutions:
WHEREAS, Some Of our brothers have at
tempted to work for a cent bushel less than
the Prlce agreed upon between US and our en-
ployers, September "a, 1872; and
WI -REAs, If they are permitted to con
tlnue this practice, 1t will reduce every miner
IN the district 70 the same price. entalling
poverty, debt and starvation upon our fami-
lies, and great burden upon the entire com
munlty Of our county; therefore be it
heSotred, That We use every peaceable
means within our power to stop any man from
working for less than four cents per bushel.
Resolved, That mass meeting of the men
Of the Cairo short Line, Illinois q st. LOUIS
and St Louis ( Southeastern railroad COM
panles be held In the court house In Belleville
Tomorrow morning, February III, at 10
O'Clock, and that We invite tile members Of
the bar, county and city officers, and the en-
tire community, to hear and understand our
grievances.
Resoired, That we condemn the action Of
Sheriff j. W. Hughes. Of this county, Tor his
interference and unwise action in threaten
ing to arrest John Morgan and the leaders "
the present movement.
ResOiUed, That al miners, corporations aud
companies included, are requested t0 cease
work unul the present grievances are settled
HesotUed, That a Committee Of rve be ap-
pointed to meet tine employees in East S..
Lou's az As early day as possible, u devise
means mutually between us To prevent al
coal beng sent To ~. LOUIS until the present
difficulties are settled, and to establish bass
for one year.
ResotUed, That a deputatipn Oi forty men
be sent To >tOibergs mines Tomorrow morn
lng at 5 o'clocA, 70 invite the men ia those
mines TO attend the mass meeting to be held
at the court house.
Yesterday very largely attended meet
ing ~ the miners was held On the steps Of
the court house, In the public square.
Speeches we're made b. v. E. Ovens,
George Kiughorn, John Morgan, and BY
Mr.. Mich. kloes in German. The sentl-
ment of the speeches was a demand for
simple justice, and determination to
abide by the laws 1t il difficult to fOresee
Just now the trouble is to end, but the pre-
valling impression seems to be that the diff
ferencvs viii be adjusted at an early day,
and that the men will all be at work for
four cents a bushel within fortnight. So
mote IL be-