The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-10
DEMANDS OF THE MINERS.
A Series of Resolutions Expressing Their
Sentiments Regarding Legislation.
They Will Support Candidates Who Are Rep
resentatiye WOrk;ngmen, Irrespective of
Party--r0wers of Federated Districts

The convention OF Federated Miners yester-
day was as interesting in debate to the craft az
the proceedings of the first two Gays. The conf
mttee on resolutions had a great many topics
referred to it, and It's recommendations, after
protracted discussions, were generally adopted
Yesterday it was resolved that no officer or mem
Der should organize or encourage any craftsmen
to connect themselves with any organization
whose methods are antagonistic to the aims and
objects of the National Federation. A resolu-
ton of sympathy with the Grape Creek, ILL., /,
miners, who gre contending for the Columbus
scale of prices, and pledsing proper support, was
adopted.
Following this came spirited debate on pre-
amble and resolution relative to legislative
bodies, which are termed as being composed
almost exclusively of lawyers and professional
politicians, who are the paid mendicants of capt.
tai and direct delegates of soulless corporations
The resolution, of which this expression was
part of the preamble, met with unanimous ap-
prevail, as follows:
Resolved That the officers and the exbcard of this
association henceforth their influence and the in
buence of the federation to educate the masses of
workingmen above the degrading level Of rabd par.
tisanship and further tie election to national State
representative
respective of what party ticket which their
as candidates may appear.
It was also agreed that the Federated Miners
are opposed to the free-time system whereby
some men get all the work and their fellow me Il
are allowed to remain In comparative iGleness
They consider 1.-The system as greedy, unfair
and demoralizing, and urge every true union
man to work for the destruction of the system.
1t was resolved that consideration of reduc.
ing day mens wages ought not to conflict with or
in any way impede the eight-hour movement
resolution pledging members not to vote for
any candidate for any Office who will not sup
port a law prohibiting the owners of mines from
running them more than eight hours in any one
day was adopted, was one looking to law
compelling employers to pay miners every two
weeks repeal of the conspiracy laws of sew
eral States favored by resolution. Mem
bers were urged to work for the enactment of
laws to provide for weighing coal before screen
ing f. t,a afternoon, . ,..o,.,o, =. i, >.
and powers of federated districts was adopted.
| The districts under this action, are to be com
posed OF miners working in States or parts OF
States where coal comes into direct com
petition III market. The powers of the dis
tricts are vested in general conventions of the
district and an executive board each of which,
in the absence of the other shall have power to
conduct the affairs of the district provided that
they do not In any way interfere with the man
agement of State organizations Where State
organizations exist miners shall first attach
theselves to such bodies before they
can belong to the federated district.
They shall also be subject to the la VS. of State
organizations in ali matters except wherein the
interest of the federated district is concerned
The question of machine prices was left 90 the
executive board. George Harrison, of Ohio,
Patrick McAdams, of Indiana, and George Har-
rs, Of Pennsylvania, were appointed commit
tee to consider amendments TO the constitution
relative to officers.
Christian Evans of Ohio, was reelected exec.
utive secretary, and Daniel Mclaughlin, of Ill.
inois treasurer of the federation. These gentle
men, ex oficio. members of the executive
board. the other members of which are Patrick
McAdams. of Indiana, N. r. Hysell, of Ohio,
and Thomas Armstrong of Illinois The con
vention then adjourned to meet in this city next
SeDtember