The Labor enquirer., 1884-09-13
COAL MINERS. !!
Report Of the Proceedings Of
the eting Held in
Pueblo.
Tho True Spirit Prevails, and no
Disposition Shown to Sur
render.

81 render.
It
Editor Labor Enquirer.
s DgNvRR, September 8.-The struggle
9 continually going on between the tn
! classes- those who insist that they liy
? in mansions, enjoy all Injuries and d
!, Ino useful work, and the class who al
willing to work but insist that they sha
enjoy fair share Of the products {
their labor.
4 This struggle exists in every countr
! and locality. It was but recently that
few men, clamoring to own thousands Q
miles Of railroad, including all kinds 9
rolling stock, entitled the Union Pacifi
railroad company, made two unsuccessful
efforts to lessen the scanty supplies 0
j the class whose highest ambition is tt
4 get employment at fair wages.
/ A short time ago Denver was visited
BY q delegation from the coal miners Of
Fremont county. better known as the
Canon City coal mines. stating that the
coal companies Of that county were trying
TO reduce thescanty wages the miners had
been receiving for risking their lives
thousands of feet beneath the earth's
surface, deprived of pure air and the
light of the sun. in the production of
coal for those companies. The commit
tee stated that their mission was to
solicit the sympathy and financial sup
port of all fair-minded people to aid
them IN resisting the proposed unlusti-
fed reduction of their wages. At the.
request of that committee j attended the
state convention of coal miners held in
Pueblo on the twenty-eighth and twenty
ninth days of last month. For the bene-
fit of coal miners and others interested
propose here to give brief report of
the proceedings of that convention:
The convention was called to order at
10 a. M, and Mr.. John Brown, Of Louis
vile, was appointed temporary chair
man. After the report of the committee
on credentials and other preliminary
work, the following permanent officers
were elected:
Chairman--Mr. Henry Lock.
Secretary-Mr. Alexander McD Donald.
The roll Of delegates showed the fol-
owing mines represented: Walsenburg,
Louisville, Erie, Coal Creek, Williams
burg and Rockvale. There was a lengthy
discussion as to whether the proceedings
De open or secret, which resulted in the
.doption of a resolution that the conven-
ion beopen to the press and public.
Mr.. Lock. .,on taking the chair, deliy-
red q lengthy speech, showing the
of the miners now on strike
nd referring to the condition Of labor in
eneral. He said, we are treated like
erfs in the hands of our employers
abor had been used to crush labor; we
7ere forced to rise and assert our rights
hat the object of the convention was to
ormulate laws to protect ourselves and
OF destroy or iniure capital; we were
ere to declare our rights as American
ltizens and to stand together as men
'ho feel that their cause is just, and right
on their side.I
The reports Of the delegates were then
stened to with deep interest Mr.. Pat
,rson, delegate from the Colorado Coal
!; Iron mine, stated that their price had
OF yet been reduced, but the miners
work on account of the coal
oming into competition with the miners
q strike against a reduction. He
fought it was hardly right for that
line to remain idle when not notified
a reduction; but he felt satisfied the
len would abide by the decision of the
invention. Il
John Abernathy, delegate from Wall !
'nburg, said they had received no notice
a reduction, yet he thought they were
lpplying some of the Canon coal market;
. also stated that there was no organi-
Ition there except between Superin-
ndent Lamb, of the Colorado Coal &
on company, and his disciples; and
lat he received his discharge before
arting for the convention, but would :
, back and make his report.
Mr.. Donahoe, of the same delegation,
i'd that while the miners did not feel
sposed to strike they would assist those
/ strike.
Mr.. PetN Adamson said he represented
he Of the Colorado Coal & Iron COM
lny's mines, now on strike, and that 4
e men felt that they had been greatly
ronged in the weighing of their coal;
ere we're four grades shipped to market
i'd they received pay only for digging
70. Is
Mr.. Jones, one of the delegates from
RE, said the men held mass meeting
Id were in favor Of forming 3 union,
though sor1e of the miners were work
g under contract containing section
hich forbid them holding meetings.
he Erie men were for helping the exist
& strike.
Mr.. Brown, from Louisville, said they
ere working under contract which
-oYides if they attend any meeting
hich will lead to strike, they will be
scharged and forfeit all moneys due
lem. He considered it the most