The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1888-10-27
A CHAMPION OF LABOR.
How Mr.. Thurman settled the Hockir

How Mr.. Thurman Settled the Hooking
Valley Labor Troubles.
The course Of Judge Thurman in the
settlement of the Hooking Valley
strike, which commenced in June, 1884,
is in striking contrast to that pursued
by Harrison in the labor troubles of
1877.
During the Hooking Valley diff
culties, when the war between the coal
operators and miners had become al
most war Of determination, it was
proposed that the dispute be submitted
to arbitration, and, after much con-
sultation, Judge Thurman was finally
agreed upon by both sides as sole
Judge in the case. After much reluc-
tance he was induced to accept the
difficult charge on condition that his
services should be absolutely without
compensation, and that all the evidence
bearing ON the matter should be laid
before him. The papers were placed
in his hands, and ten days and nights
Of unremitting toll were devoted by
him to the examination Of the case.
His opinion was model of clear
reasoning, and his decision was ex-
pressed in the following concluding
paragraph. verdict in favor of the
men on the entire matter In dispute:
Ny decision. therefore, 10 that tho operators
OF tho two districts can pay the advance asked
(sixty cents per ton) and compete with other
dstricts.
The men were right and tho en-
ployers were wrong and Judge Thur
man stood by the men. The reasoning
upon which his conclusion was based
was SO. clear that the operators could
not resist it, and the miners immedi-
ately resumed work upon the terms
they had demanded. The Judge was
the recipient of many resolutions and
letters Of thanks from labor organiza-
tions throughout the United States.
On January 26. 1886, Immediately
after Judge Thurman's adjudication.
the following preamble and resolution
were adopted unanimously by the
State Trades and Labor Assembly OF
Ohio, then in session at Columbus:
Whereas, The success OF the recent arbitra-
tton proceeding between the miners and oper-
otors OF the Hooking Valley and Ohio Central
districts Is very gratifying and encouraging TO
all lovers OF justice and fair play; aud
Whereas, While we congratulate the miners
for their willingness to arbitrnte the justness
OF their claims, too much credit can not be
given to that sterling man OF the people. Allen
g. Thurmsu, for oonsenting to acs % umpire,
and his impartial consideration OF the evidence
prescnted-no light task for man Of his years
-and which was evidently assumed to, In o
measure, amoliorato the condition OF labor and
capital employed In the Hooking Valley and
Ohio Central districts and the city OF Column
bus; therefore,
Res0lpsd, That the secretary OF this assembly
be instructed 70 forward Hon. Allen @. Thur
man the above preamble, witch properly con-
veys und expresses the sertiinonIs VI the Ohio
Stute Trades md Labor Assembly upon this
matter.
The happy settlement OF great dis
pute resulted In the further iucrease
Of miners wages in the Hooking
Valley districts, and the compensation
AZ now fixed IL rs cents for winter
mining aud 20 oents for sumsaer min
ing.
In a similar crisis, In 1877, BEN
jamin Harrison drew $1,000 per week
from the railroad companies, while
receiving t5 per day as the pay OF q
captain OF troops organized TO CON,
tend against the unemployed laborers.
IN u StQr.