The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-09
THE MINERS WILL NOT MERGE
They Determine, Aftera Lengthy Debate,
to Maintain O Distinct Organization.
The Fed Grafton Conclude that the Interests
Of Miners Will Not Be Promoted by It's
Surrendering to the Knights of Labor.


Surrendering to the Knights of Labor.
The Federated Coal-miuers yesterday devoted
the greater part of their time to a consideration
of the report from the committee on resolutions.
In the morning, after the convention had dis
posed of the usual routine order, the report came
up and in nearly every case the matter pre-
sented led to protracted debate. But in every
view expressed there was an intelligent conserva-
tism, showing that the organization did not de-
sire to reach conclusions or to act hastily. The
committees recommendations, with but one ex-
ception, were adopted without amendment, and
this related to the question of merging the inter
ests of the federation in the knights of Labor
It was decided on this report to make no change
in the per capita tax, but to give the
executive board power to levy additional
assessments if unforeseen difficulties should
arise necessitatng an increase of revenue from
this source resolution against putting Or
ganizers in the field. as 1t would entail heavy
expenses and expressing it as the best plan to
continue the present organization, was adopted
The committee, by decisive VOTE favored arbi-
trdtion in regard to machine mining, and also
the payment of machine miners such price as
would equalize wages with the pick miners It
was further agreed, by unanimous vote, to ia
vor connection with the International Trades
union of the United States and Canada, and to
instruct the executive board to carry cor
respondence with the officers Of that organiza-
ton relative to this proposal.
The committees recommendation as to the
Knights of Labor question was as follows:
Whereas It seems that there is vast difference in
opinion among craft in regard to the different
labor organizations and they have tendency to con-
fct with each other, be it
Resolved, That deem it wise to have one distinct
organization fer the miners and mine aborers of the
United States and Territories; further that such
ganization should be acknowledged as the supreme
body and that the executive board of said organlza
ton be empowered to arbitrae and settle all matters
pertaing to mining.
substitute was at once offered, shortening the
form and placing it in milder terms, but did not
come regularly before the convention, and the
discussion took place on the committees resolu-
ton. The speeches were all decidedly III favor
of some expression of the kind, but the form
presented did not meet the wishes of many. Mr..
Short, Of Ohio. and Mr.. Beesley, of the same
State, made strong speeches in its favor the lat
ter charging that the Knights of Labor had
worked against the miners organization
throughout the coal regions of Pennsylvania and
West Virginia. He did not want to surrender
the authority of tbe miners to any trades
union. The Knights of Labor were In the
of the federation, and could not possibly aid
the miners as their own organization can he
was for the federation all the time and If it be-
came necessary in upholding that spirit, he
would withdraw from the Knights of Labor.
There are too many organizations. but not
enough organizing.
Mr.. Mclaughlin, of Illinois, said the Knights
of Labor for thirteen years had been known to
the miners, but he did not know Of an instance
whore the latter. as class, had been benefited by
that organization. Yet in whatever was said by
these gentlemen, who are all member OF the
Knights, they expressed high appreciation of
the organizations aims The difference arises
largely on methods in reference to the settle
ment of difficulties, and also in relation to the
comparative benefits Of open and secret organi-
cations. The federated miners favor the first
as the best course to pursue
Mr.. Mcbride of Ohio, said he desired CO.
operation of the craft, whether as an entity
within the Knights of Labor or as an ndepend-
emit federation. A fundamental principle of the
latter organization was that any local, State or
district body could transact its affairs openly or
secretly. But" he continued, 1--WE have no
right to say anything except that the federation
is better adapted to meet the wants OF the craft
than the knights alone. The sentiment is that
the federation is inferior to the Knights" Wher-
ever the latter has undertaken to conduct affairs
in the interest of miners they had
failed. AS an instance. McFadden and Others who
sought to conduct the strike in the Clearfeld
region, were arrested for conspiracy, and some
of them were convicted. Kansas miners intrust-
ed their interests to the Knights, and now no
organization exists among them. In Maryland
the strike failed, and miners, with their families.
were driven from home to seek employment in
the Western States and Territories. No sub
stantial assistance came from the knights In the
great Hocking-valley strike, except $240, while
from other sources 500, 600 was raised. In this
| strike. also, the Knights refused to arbi-
trate. while the miners Of each organization
did So Citing other instances of like
character. the speaker said, 1.-The Knights of
Labor help miners who help themselves, but
when the miners demonstrate an ability to con-
duct their own affairs, that order comes in to
take the credit ! favor the principles of the
Knights, but am opposed to their methods If
you. as miners. adopt methods that come into
conflict with the Knights of Labor, let the strug-
gle come, if it leads to our withdrawal from
that order as individual members.
MIR. Harris of Pennsylvania, spoke Of the in
roads the Knights were making on Pennsylvania
and West Virginia miners. For a time the
Amalgamated Association of Miners was
on the decline; but the spirit has
changed, and miners are beginning to see
that the head officers of the Knights are after
power and want to control all the labor organ
iZations of the country "They do not seek
| harmony" he said. ut behooves US, then, to
take the position of@the Amalgamated Iron
| Workers. They exacted a promise from
| Powdery that the Knights of Labor organizers
should not make canvass where the association
had control. He promised to withdraw all or
| ganizers from that field. The miners in Penn
| sylyania were not in as good position as they
were two years ago. l am not prepared to sur
render OUT interests in any organization"
The debate closed by adopting unanimously
the following substitute offered by Mr.. Don
nelly, of Illinois:
Resolved, That opposed to merging with the
Knights of Labor. and recognize organization as
being capable to deal with the interests of miners and
mine laborers of the United States and Territories
| but the Miners and Mine Laborers National Fedora
ton. and to it will cling and ask that
ecutve board issue manifesto defining properly to
the miners and wage-workers of the world our proper
stand the subject of labor. and. while wanting
peace, do not seek it at the price of liberty to
craft.