The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-10
A BUSINESS CONVENT ON.
The National Miners Association Meets
to Consider Important Measures.
A Free Interchange of Views as to the Wrongs
Imposed Upon Them and How
to Obtain Relief.

The sittings of national convention of coal
East Washington street Anthracite and btu
minous coal interests are alike represented, the
delegates being sent by either organized bodies
or from mines whore no organization exists.
Among the fifty or more present, several exhib-
tied marked intelligence in speaking Of the
objects OF the convention, and not few now and
then expressed their ideas in eloquent phrase.
There was no frantic outcry about wrongs or
oppression. What was said in that regard did
not go beyond moderate statement and an
earnestness of purpose to accept whatever the
convention proposed as the best means of
elevating their fellow workingmen. Radicalism
in this movement for unity of action was con-
spicously absent. What one had to tell about
the condition of coal mining and miners in his
section was told briefly, and the purpose for
which they were called together was not allowed
to be lost by the efforts of certain outsiders to
get hearing. An instance of this kind is worth
relating. During the afternoon proceedings,
Sam Lefingwell took quite prominent seat in
the foreground, and when the business of the
day neared close he having been left, to his
Z
est of the Knights of Labor.
John Mcbride, OF Ohio, intimated that it
would have been an act of courtesy on the indi-
vidual's part had he asked the privilege of ad-
dressing the convention. 1.-THE gentleman is
not a delegate" said he land few, if any on the
floor know him. for one do not, and suggest
that the wish of the convention be considered"
1t was then moved that Sam Lefingwell be
heard. and the majority consented rather re-
luctanty, Lehingwell accepted the opportunity
and had got as far in his harangue to say that he
had been workingman's advocate for thirty
five years, when the chair interrupted him with
You are restricted to five minutes" The
speaker did not regard the situation favorable,
but he managed to make an appeal in behalf of
the Knights Of Labor. This phase is described
to give an idea of the delegates unwilling
ness to hear or do anything that
does not strictly belong to the
purposes of the convention. Delegate Harrison,
of Ohio, emphasized this feeling by Offering
motion to have executive sessions. He said he
had often seen IL meetings of this kind uncaed-
for Interruptions on the part of outsiders. and
suggested that the sessions be confined to the
business OF miners, and when speaking was
necessary that it be done by delegates. Owing
TO the lateness of the hour and the presence of
another resolution, no action was taken on Mr..
Harrison's motion, but it will probably come up
the first thing this morning.
Yesterday mornings session was presided over
by John Mcbride, president Of the Ohio Miners
Association, while j. j. Sullivan, president of
Iowa Miners Association acted as secretary.
After credentials were reported and considered,
the following were accepted as accredited dele
gates: Ohio, John Mcbride. N. r. Haysel,
Charles Evans, William Roberts. George Har-
rison, William Nixon, j. R. Russell, Samuel
Lewelyn, Nicholas Hooking, William Basset;
West Virginia, j. b. Fleming, T. z. Gray, w.
A. Keith; Iowa, j. j. Sullivan, A. NJ. Reid;
Indiana. John Moury. Patrick McAdams. VIM.
Huston, Edward Hauser, Barton Van Cock,
James Wall. VIM. H. Lowry, Henry Patrick;
Illinois, Daniel Mclaughlin, P. Fl. Donnelly,
Christopher Campbell Percival Clarke, William
E. Smith, David Ross William Monnahan; Kan
sas, James Smith The Pennsylvania delegates on
account of missing connecting trains did not
arrive until after adjournment in the afternoon.
Committees on order of business and permanent
organization were appointed, after which recess
until o'clock was taken
In the afternoon it was thought the Pennsyl-
vania people would be present. and because of
this the proceedings were delayed until an hour
later, when the convention was called to order
The report of the committee on order OF bust
ness was first submitted and adopted as follows:
Permanent organization, reports Of delegates
consideration of the formation of a national
union, ways and means of advancing rates.
national defense fund, miscellaneous business
The committee on permanent organization
reported Daniel Mclaughlin, OF Illinois, for
president, P. H. Donnelly, of Illinois, secretary
and j. j. Sullivan, of Iowa, assistant secretary
Mr.. Mclaughlin desired to withdraw in favor
of Mr.. Mcbride, but that gentleman declined
saying that he preferred to be on the floor. and
the convention insisted on the committees choice
Mr.. Donnelly thought two officers from Illinois
were too many, and wished to have some other
State represented in the position for which he
had beer selected. j. B. Fleming, of West Vir-
ginia, was then chosen as secretary.
The convention being thus fully organized.
Mr.. Mclaughlin was introduced, and said it would
have been more IN keeping with his feelings
to have Mr.. Mcbride preside emphasizing the
expression with II am getting Old, and have
labored long in the cause of labor, while my
experience and observations in occasions of this
kind might enable me to fill the position &C.
ceptably. Mr.. McBride's ability and youth
would better fit the place than any qualities Of
mine l will rule strictly in accordance with
justice as far as ] know how to do it. What
shape your organization will take l know not
but hope it will bring about better under
greater unity of feeling among the
miners Of the United States. When we take
into consideration the lowness of our wages, our
yearly income is below the average of working
men. / say this from observation and travel
The great question then for US to consider is
how we can better our position, and to get at it
we must view the circumstances and conditions
that surround US. From large emigration
there is great surplus or labor, and the constant
Improvement in machinery, moving slowly but
surely banshes skilled labor from the work
shops This surplus of labor must be supplied
with the means of living, hence a large proper
ton of it comes to the mines. 1t
is thought that there is ma
chinery there. 1t is mistake. ]
can point to machinery in Illinois that produces
from one shaft 10, 600 tons per day. The same
is true in Ohio. Indiana. Kentucky and Penn
sylvania, where mining machinery is used. 1t
does away with our labor and narrows the ranks
of miners to those unskilled in the work. All
this must be taken into consideration. Thank
ing you for the honor you have conferred on me,
promise TO do my best as presiding officer"
The reports of delegates then called for,
when Mr.. Mcbride, of Ohio. said it was easy to
tell the conditions and wishes of, the miners
in his State. The conditions are
very bad, worse indeed than they have ever been
in the history of mining in this country The
miners desire to better themselves by an organi-
cation pure and simple; they want something by
Il