The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-08-14
FROM ILLINOIS.
DIT QUoIS, July 81, 1875.
To the Editor q the woRKIsnA's ADVOCATE.
MINERS MASS MEETING.

DIT QuoIS, July 81, 1875.
TO the Editor q the woRKIsnA's ADVOCATE.
MINERS MASS MEETING.
As you are probably aware, the miners
belonging to St. Johns mines have been
on strike for some time. The question
involved in this difficulty is not so much
on account Of price As it Is Of principle, as
the |. G. j. and c. Nj. CO. want the men
to enter into and sign . contract, which is
repulsive TO them in every particular A
mass meeting Of the citizens Of this place
was convened at Schneider's Hall on the
18th, to take into consideration the situa-
ton, and see what redress could be had.
The meeting was called to order by Geo
Gardner, who presented the mems cause in
brief but pertinent manner, stating that
the men were willing to submit TO any
thing that was fair, honorable and consis-
tent, but the company's officers we're OBJ
stinale, and would not listen to reason.
He then introduced Mr.. VIM. Thompson,
of Ohio, Vice President Of the Miners
National Association. Mr.. Thompson
briefly adverted to the history of the or
ganization, claiming for the men the same
right and privileges that were extended to
other citizens. He admitted that mine
owners, in common with others, had
rights which all we're bound to respect,
and hoped the men would conduct them
selves in the future as they had in the
past, by respecting themselves and the
rights Of others. Mr.. Thompson then
proceeded to read the agreement or con
tract prepared by the company, which, in
the opening sentences, he said was the
same or similar to all other articles of the
kind. But. in the particulars, il treats
the men as if they were so many chattles,
asking them to submit to conditions unbe-
coming the dignity of an American citizen.
Mr.. t. called particular attention TO the
following sections Of the contract
Such notices shall be gwen by each person
of said second part, separately and in his own
proper person, and not jointly, at the same
time, and In connection with others and
every such notice over and above three IN
any one day, or ten IN any one week, shall be
Intellectual and void, and no notice at all
under this agreement, and shall be deemed
strike under the provisions Of this con
tract.
Said party of the second part further
agrees to abide by any such rules and regula-
IN fnrgsa xnh1ah rrnI.4a AMI
regulations, as far As practicable, form part
Of this contract. Also, such rules and regu-
lations as may hereafter he promulgated,
fro m time tostime, by said party Of the first
part, through their superintendent or Gore
man, for the safe, successful and economical
working of said Companys mines, and that
they will not enter into any combination with
others to enforce claimed rights or to redress
grievances, by discontinnIng work Or getting
up or joining IN 4 strike but that he will
act IN an individual capacity, only for HIM |
self, and mot for Others and that ne will not |
be absent without leave, except in case of
sickness, or other unavoidable contingencies
that would prevent him from working
Said party Of the first part agrees t. pay /
the said party of the second part, the sum o.
sixty cents per car for each pat car OF $50
pounds of clean coal mined by him, after pas
sing over n one and one-hAlf inch screen, or
ten cents for pit car over and above the price
paid in the Du Quoin region usually termed
by miners the prairiel, where coal Ii
screened over a three-quarter inch screen,
and delivered on cars near the face of the
workings where the same is mined ProrSfed
That the said party Of the second part shall
fulfill, on his part, the provisions Of this con
tract but in case he shall leave the employ
If the company without giving two weeks
notice, a. Aforesaid, or shall fail to carry out
he provisions and spirit Of this contract ne
hall forfeit to said first party, As damages, al
follows
For quitting the emPl oyment Of said first
,arty, without the two weeks notice a.
,forsaaid. the sum Of ten (IOl dollars for
dining IN . strike, and thus forcing said