The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-01-30

Mooney, representative from the fifteenth
district, to attend the convention, and to
hear the discussion on this question.
The following resolutions were adopted
Resolped, That it Is the sense Of this con-
vention that the amendment of the law pro-
viding for the health and safety Of operative
miners, is absolutely necessary in the follow
ing Particular:
L. Amend section 3, so that all mines
within one year.
| 2 Amend section &, SO that all mines
must be provided with cages and guides,
| 3. Amend section o, an to define more
clearly what constitutes a serious personal
injury.
| a. Amend section ! |, so that the county
surveyor shall not be the mine Inspector, as
we consider this wrong, and contrary to the
spirit Of the constitutional provision requir-
ing Legislation for the protection Of operative
miners.
Resolved, That the present general assem-
bly, he requested to amend the Law in these
particulars.
Representative Mooney, from the Fiji
tesnth District, appeared before the meet
ing, at its request, and presented bill
embodying the suggested amendments,
and stated that he would take occasion to
introduce it in the General Assembly at
the earliest opportunity.
SECOND DAY-MoRNING SESSION.
The convention re-assembIed on We'd
nesday morning. After discussion, the
following was adopted
| Resolved, That in obedience to the law
/ passed at the last state convention, IN refer
ence to the exchange of local. state and "a
tional cards, we declare that said law shall
be strictly adhered to by every lodge and
district in the State Of Illinois. Any lodge
Adistrict refusing TO comply with this Law,
0FthArging any extra initiation fee, or refus-
ing to accept any national or other legal Mi
ners Union card, shall pay over TO the State
! treasurer the amount Of fines 80 charged, and
be subject TO fine of not less than $50, nor
more than $780,
The following was also adopted
WHEREAS, A large number Of miners il
various parts Of the State Of Illinois who are
operating coal mines under the name Of CO.
operation, the true name Of which is the
vilest kind Of competition, which in its oper-
alton is bringing misery, poverty and degra-
dation on all miners OF the State there
| fire
| Resolved, That we, the representa- YES
present, do hereby condemn this practice
as being pernicious and destructive to the
best interests Of the mining community at
large, both to the employer and employed
and he it
Resolved That while condemning this in
furious practice, yet we fully indorse coop
Grafton in ITS legitimate sense and true opera
ton, as beneficial to all who may engage in
it, and recommend those who co-operste TO
use It as a means to elevate themselves and
the class to which shey belong.
The following was adopted
WHEREAS, The oft recurrence Of strikes
amongst us. so detrimental and injurious te
the interest Of both employer add employed,
and 40 damaging to the manufacturing inter
ests Of our country, and often the cause Of
cruel and needless misery to the poor, the
| widow and the orphan; therefore
Resolved, That in the opinion of the repre-
sentatlves of this convention, the only way to
prevent such strikes is for every member in
the State of Illinois to connect himself with
the National Miners Association, whose con
stitution provides Just means for the settle
ment Of all diff ;ulties, and which is as fol
lows
Article s, Sec q Any district or suLordi
nate branch or lodge, which considers itsel
aggrieved by unjust measures being imposed
upon its members by their employers, and if
after all means Of redress have proved fruit
less, they deem it expedient t. resort to
strike, shall he required to send a Statement
Of their grievances to the president Of tn
! | lsar1 M. hal -, h. ,lao
in person. or by deputy, where the difficult,
had its origin, and investigate the matter il
person. After due and proper inquiry
should he deem the cause sufficient. he shal
declare the strike legal: then every membe
concerned therein shall be entitled to all tn
benefits enumerated in section | Of this arti
Gle. Should he, however, find the cause in
sufficient to authorize a strike he shall de
clare it illegal, and the members be require,
to desist from striking
The president read letter from Mr.. A
G. Cameron, Of Chicago, explaining his al
sence from the convention. The conven
ton regretted very much that SO aole an
earnest an advocate of labor interests wa
not present, and after a vote Of thank
for his able and effective labor in behalf @
the miners, during the past year, the fol
lowing was adopted
ResoIred, That the WoRKINGMAN's ADvC
CATE paper shall still be the official organ
the miners Of the State o. Illinois
Election Of officers being in order. tn
following were unanimously chosen
PIesident-Geo. XII ghorn. Of BelleviIle.
Vice President-Jas. COnnery, of Barclay
Secretary-Walter Rutledge, Of Alton.
Treasurer McCann, Of Girard.
Trustees Mclaughlin, of Braidwood
Richard Wolliscraft, Of Springfield; jas
Mctiavin, of RivertOn.
Springfield was selected as the place 70
holding the next annual meeting, and Sep
TENDER 31st next, as the time.
A levy of FIVE cents against all the uniol
miners of the State was made to defra
the expenses of the convention.
The miners of Will county were con
graduated in the election Of practice
miner to the General Assembly, to perfec
the mining law.
After rendering thanks to Mr.. Reavel
for the use Of the rooms, the meeting ad
journed.
WALTER RUTLEDGE, Secretary