The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-11-27

The Miners Generosity---Down in .
Coal Mine.

TN friday evening, November IL, III coHi- |
pany with Mr.. John Siney, President Of the
Miners National Association, we left the de-
pot of the Chicago Alton 4 st. Louis Rail
road, for Braidwood, a mining vill2ge-no,
beg pardon, a mining city-sltuated some
sixty miles from Chicago. where We met
friends Mooney and Mclaughlin awaiting our
arrival Mr. Siney's intended visit had been |
announced several days previously, and as a
result the miners had requested and obtained
a half holiday, in order to give their represent
alive welcome becoming his position, and to
be present at the meeting to be held on Satur- |
day, to listen to his remarks and advice The
news of his acquittal at Cleartield had been
received with unmingled satisfaction, and the
outpouring Of he masses and the heartiness
Of the welcome extended, must have con
vinced him that his fellow craftsmen Of the
| prairie are as proud Of their champion as
those Of his older acquaintences in the an
| thracite regions.
Shortly after o'clock the BraidwOod
Band took up their march to the school house,
and in a few minutes after the room was
U
unable to obtain admission. The meeting was
called to order by Mr.. Daniel Mclaughlin,
who, in his own succinct manner, referred to
the rise and progress Of unlonism III Braid
wood, and what it had accomplished not only
for those present. but also for thousands OF
others who were scattered throughout the
country. After speaking for half an hour
principally on local affairs-he introduced Mr..
Siney who was received with the greatest
enthusiasm.
Mr.. 5, On rising, said he was pleased once
more to meet the men of Braidwood. Pleased
to meet the men whose pluck and endurance
had secured for them the victory IN their last
struggle struggle which had been hailed
with delight. not only by American miners,
but by many Of those they had left behind
on the other side OF the Atlantic. He was
sorry, however, that some Of them had APP
parently lost their first love, and had grown
lukewarm ia the only cause which could Sc
cure or guarantee their rights. He referred
, at length t. the changes contemplated by the
new constitution adopted at the last session
OF the National Association, urged the ad-
vantages Of cooperation, and showed what
benefits would accrue from its success; paid a
warm tribute to the fidelity and ability Of
Mr.. James, Secretary Of the National Organ
ization, who was formerly their associate.
and closed with earnest appeal to all
present to stand shoulder to shoulder as one
man. Mr.. ;. spoke for an hiar and quarter,
and during the entire time secured the earn
est attention Of hi audi nee.
A. e. Cameron was the next speaker. He
said it would do little good for those who had
| listened to Mr. Slneys eloquent remarks to
know that IN unioRtsBs ttere is strength, unless
they acted up To their convictions. 1t is not
he who knew but he who dld his Lord's will,
who would be saved The movement in
which they were embarked admitted OF no
relaxation. Trades unions, though not the
ultimate object Of the labor movement, were
stepping stones m the right direction He
had lar more faith in cooperative enterprise,
proving a success when conducted by men
: who had graduated from a trades union, than
when managed by those who had always pre-
r t-rred to trust to the magnanimity Of a CO.
operation
Mr. Moses Hooker, Superintendent Of the
Newsboys Home OF Chicago was then
introduced and stated that two hundred
T tons OF coal required for the use
Of the institution during the coming winter
and also that President Blackstone. OF the Al.
. port, and the owners Of the mine to donate
, the amount acquired, provided the miner,
, would dix II for nothing
HIS remarks were received with the great
est enthusiasm. and soon as he had conclu
ded the following resolution was offered
Resoiced, BY the miners IN the employ o.
G.. W. 4 V. Eureka, Wilmington Coal Mining
and Manufacturing Company, Wilmington 4
Star Coai Company, IN mass meeting assem-
bed That we request and permit our various
{ employers To deduct Loco pounds Of Goa
from each and every working place On any
working day during the present month fol-
I the benefit Of the Newsboys and BootDlacks
Home
The resolution was then adopted by accla
nation amid great cheers.
The Home has never received donation
that came more freely, each one contributing
his mite, baptizing 1t with .he sweat OF has
brow he digs 1t such coal will Ger
tainly bring WARMTH and deserves to be
booked donation Of black diamonds. And
as the Home is principally sustained by vol
untary contributions, the managers hope and
pray for mary others Of like nature
After vote OF thanks to the band-who
by the way all practical miners
members 81 the Union at that-the meeting
dispersed, all present apparently being well
satisfied with the result; which, unless We
are much mistaken, cannot all to be product
i've Of enduring good.
On Sunday, Ia company with friends Moon
ey Mclaughlin, Dando and Siney, We took
a stroll To the Eureka shafts, situated on the
main thoroughiare, nearly three miles from
the railway station; and from thence to Lower
Bradwood, inhabited mainly by Germans
and Bohemlsns. The city contains a pOpula-
ton bordering on d, OOO, and nearly SIX miles
square. As the coal beds, upon which its
prosperity depends. extends over 40 miles
IN Que direction, We should not b. surprised
to see 1t become manufacturing as well as
| a mining centre
To give our readers some idea Of the i'm
Portance of Brentwood and the value Of its
coal FIELDS to the city Of Chicago and sur
rounding country, we present the following
| hgures, showing the daily capacity Of the sew
eral mines and the number Of miners and
| pushers employed
| e. ". AND Y. COAL 90
Tons coal Miners emprd. Pushers
Z smart. $50 1856 80