The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-06-06
THE MINERS OF STREATOR, LA
SALE, AND OGLESBY IN
COUNCIL

COUNCIL.
The first district convention of the mi
ners Of Strcator, LaSalle and Oglesby was
held in Ottawa on Wednesday, May Goth.
The following delegates were present:
Messrs Ronald and Denim, from Streat-
or; Messrs. Kelly and Martin from La
Sale A. j. Reed, from Rockwell Messrs
Wilmot and Doyle from Oglesby. Repre-
sentins in the aggregate about nine hun
dred miners.
On motion, Mr. John Denim was called
to the chair, and Mr.. james Wilmot acted
as Wcretary
On motion Of Mr.. Kelly, the resolutions
passe,l at each branch were read. After
the Streator resolutions had been discuss
ed, the following resolution was unani-
mously adopted:
Resolved, That we favor the consolidation
Of the districts throughout.
On motion by James Wilmot, that We
do away with the district boards, and hold
our convention once a quarter, was sec
onded by Peter Doyle A. j. Reed moved
to amend it, that the district board remain
the same rs usual, and that we hold our
convention semi-annually, on the first
| Tuesday after the 10th Of September, and
first Tuesday after the 10th of March. The
amendment prevailed.
On motion Of Mr.. Ronald, that we adopt
the eight hour system Of working As soon
NJ practicable, and that each district adopt
it soon as convenient.
| MIR. j. Wilmot moved tn amend, that it
take effect on the first day of June.
MIR. A. }. Reed moved to amend, Mr..
Milmut having Withdrawn his amendment,
that the eight hour system 60 into effect
on the LIST day Of August. Seconded by
Mr. Wilmot, and carried.
ARBITRATION.
On motion of Mr.. Doyle, that we favor
arbitration as the best mode of settling
disputes between the employer and en-
| ploycs, and a resort to strike should only
be when principle is at stake. Carried
unanimously.
1t was resolved by the whole convention,
that We urge upon all workingmen IN gen
eral, the necessity of becoming citizens,
| that by the use of the ballot we may be
able to secure the election of men to power
who are IN sympathy with the laboring
classes.
COAL SCREENINGS.
The mode of screening coal in the vari-
Gus districts was dwelt upon, and after u
lengthy debate, it was resolved by the con
vention that we protest strongly against
| the present mode of screening the coal,
and also consider the battery placed in the
screws with the screening, result in no
practical good to the operators, and at the
same time great deal Of injury and MUS
tice to the miner, and that they should not
be tolerated III a civilized and free coun
| try.
On motion, the convention adjourned to
meet again on the 2Ist, at 5 O'Clock, a. M.
The session began at the appointed hour.
All the delegates we're present. The min
utes Of the previous meeting were read and
approved.
Mr. Ronald moved that the convention
60 into committee oi the whole on different
subjects. Not agreed to.
On motion of Mr.. Kelly, seconded by
Mr.. Martin, that We, as miners, will not
allow our operators to put any more men
in the mines rs miners, until such time as
those working at present get full employ
| ment.
Mr. Ronald offered the following amend
ment, seconded by Mr.. Wilnot.
| WHEREAS, The mining laws OF the State OF
Illinois defective in many important points.
| Therefore he it
R,soicct, That the miners of said State
make this one Of the questions at issue at our
/ future elections. Carried.
| On motion Of Mr. Reed, that we take
into consideration the dockage question.
| On motion Of MIR. Kelly, that the dock
age be l2b cents, with a recommendation
to the miners to load clean coal.
Amendment by Mr. Wimot, that if a
miner send mp sulphur in his coal, the ope-
rator has the right and privilege from as to
weigh that sulphur, and deduct it from his
earnings, and if he persists in sending 1t
up, his employer has the sanction and
privilege to discharge such miner If he
think tit The original motion was adopted.
The following resolution was offered by
Mr.. Doyle:
ReSotocd, That we consider the law Of the
land is being violated by the LaSalle Coal
Company, for not furnishing sufficient guam
titles Of timber t. support the roof, and we
hereby pledge ourselves morally and imam
cially to carry the laws Of the State into
| force.
| hcsoireti, BY the convention held at Otta-
wa, that we deprecate the moderate use OF
Intoxicating liquors as matter Of economy
| toourseves, and for the benefit Of our Assoc
| citation.
On molten, the convention adj journed.
| JAMES WILMoT, Secy.