The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-01-17
THE MINERS NORTHWESTERN AS
ISOLATION.


few years 1t Is destined "a assume gigantic
proportions, and that IN, 900 coal diggers
will find employment in our Western
States Scarcely week transpires but the
announcement Is made that such and such
new ana almost eNhaustless coal fields have
been discovered. though such an announce
ment Is too often married by the statement
that they have been purchased by this or
that corporation CcrPordtsonS are the
Sam. The world over neartless-souless-
and unrrincipled Corporations have left
their imprint, in indelible characters, in
the Old W orld. and they will assuredly, If
permitted, leave their imprint IN the New.
| They mean destruction -annihilation
the RIGHTS OF LABOR nothing more
and nothing less. Somuch 10y way of pre-
face, and 5" much IN explanation and justi-
hcauon Of the objects sought to be accom-
phshed hy the Miners Northwestern As
ISOLATION To be fore warned is 30 be fore
armed cause and result-teaches the les
son ia a nutshell. We npw place on record
the assertion that. in 1854, unless radical
change is effected, not an acre of coal land
can be purchased in Illinois by any one
connected with an Industrial or Co-opera-
tive Institution. But to the proceedings.
The address of the President is an able
and an earnest document. which proves
that he is in accord with the most progress
sive phases Of the Labor movement. His
reference to the advantages to he derived
from utilization with the National Union is
timely and approPos, as is also his appeal
10 the non-union element
With regard to the Miners Law enact
ed at the last session Of the Legislature
while it is true une expected obstacles in its
enforcement have prevented themselves
it is also true that many Of these obstacles
are more apparent than real Nor must it
BE- forgotten, that though it is by no means
a perfect law, or such a law as the miners
or their friends should like to have-it was
the best which could be obtained under
the circumstances. and that many of the
most important provisions contained III the
original bill were stricken out by the Com
uittee, or the House Upon the principle
that half loaf is better than no bread,
these concessions were reluctantly accept
ed. in the belief that III the near future
those most deeply interested in its en-
forcement and amendment would them
selves becon the law makers, 1t is a fact,
however, worthy of note, that little or no
difficulty has occurred in enforcing its pro-
visions where a thorough organization ex-
lists We admit that principle may have
had little to do with it-but no mat
ter the motive. the result is all
that we can deal with. If pol
iticians are atrod Of the miners in St.
Clair county, the best thing the miners of
VIII. Sangamon, La Sale, Nermillion,
Grundy and other counties can do is to
utilize their strength in the same way, be-
cause we find that in several localities the
men have taken no steps to test or enforce
the Law consequently they have them
selves to blame for the results. 1t is true,
the law presumes that the inspectors and
district attorneys will perform their duty,
and though no penalty is attached TO fail
ure to perform it, an injunction can easily
be secured. and the mine closed until the
provisions of the law are complied with
while the miners possess in many in
stances, the equally potent remedy-elect-
ing officials ,rho 'riH perform such duty.
Under present circumstances, we think the
most prudent course to pursue is to let the
law stand as it is, until the next session Of
the Legislature as it is questionable if
any amendment can now be carried-and
as il Is likely its opponents would take ad-
vantage Of any reopening Of the measure,
u secure its repeal.
Upor the important question of connec-
ton with the National Union, we think the
discussion entirely one-sided. We fail to
see any force or merit in a single objection
urged against it, and, as our readers al
ready know our opinions, We leave them to
draw their own conclusions. We have no
doubt but that the opposition is but tenn
porary. and that before the next session Of
the Association. Belleville district will be
classed among its staunchest supporters.
President >mey cannot employ his time to
better advantage than By visiting the
southern portion Of our State, where we
feel assured he will receive a courteous and
cordial Welcome. The fact that every dis
trict represented, save one-mcluding In
diana was enthusiastically in favor of af-
iiiatiun proves that the miners Of the
West are alive to their interests and their
duty
The passage of the resolution requesting
the immediate withdrawal from circula-
ton Of the notes of the National Banks,
, and the substitution therefor Of lega.
tender interconvertible currency, must be
/ gratifying to every true reformer. Similar
action by our State and National Trade
, associations would soon bring our return
to- specie-b basis thinkers to their senses, and
put quietus on the grandest swindle of
} the age.
Upon the whole, the Convention was the
most important which has yet been held,
and from the spirit manifested we feel
: satisfied that those composing it returned
home with larger and more comprehensive
views-determined to do their whole duty
to SOW the seeds Of unioIism and aid in
building up an organization, whose objects