St. Paul daily globe., 1889-12-24
UNDER ONE OFFICIAL HEAD.
Plans for the Amalgamation OF
All ORGANIZATIONS OF Miners,


COLUMBUS, o., Dec. 2S.-A joint
meeting of the representatives of the
National Progressive Union of Miners
and Mine Laborers aud National Dis
trict Assembly 1856, K. of L., was held
this morning to consider plans for the
| amalgamation of the two organizations.
As result of this meeting the follow
ing joint address was to-day issu ed to
the members of National District AS
sembly, X. of L., and the Progressive
Union of Miners and Mine LaborerS:
For many years, by reason of con-
| fiiet originating in the existence of the
| rival miners organizations. much val
uable energy has been unproftabiy en-
| plOyed in an unnecessary struggle for
| supremacy, and in the contest the min
ers connected with both bodies of or
ganiZed miners have been the principal
sufferers. No sadder commentary upon
the efforts of miners 10 improve their
condition as a craft could be presented
| than the spectacle of the few-and we
use the term few only to intimate that
| quite percentage of OuI calling stand
outside the pale of any form of organ
izatiOn-at war with each other to the
| Infinite pleasure of unScrupulOuS em-
| ployerS. who have learned too often the
OF all who find employment in the buSi-
| ness of mining coal. The condition Of
| our craft to-day has been reduced to the
present low level, first, by reason of an
absence of proper interest in mining
affairs; and second, because of the fail
ure up to this date of the two organiZa-
tions
TO UNITE THEIR POWERS
and agreed upon policy tnat would at
once be acceptable to both classes of
the present officials and satisfactory to
The rank and file of the respective min
erS' unions. Our inability, as shown by
the character of past efforts to thor
Oughly unite our powers by harmonic
ing our forces. has led to reduction in
wages, and in different parts of the CON-
petltive district rendered our miners
and officials pOwerleSS to resist impOSi-
ton and assert the rights of their mem-
bers, as wage-workers, with no other
prospect before us but of suffering still
for the notifications of our already too
low standard of mining rates. While
efforts have in the past few years been
made to cOnSummate the object that not
only we, but the body of organized min
ers, whether belonging TO the one or the
other of the present forms of organiZa-
ton. have in view, they have not had
the desired effect; and if painful lessons
of the necessity of harmony of action, as
shown in the series of defeats which
our miners have been compelled to sub
NIT 10 so required. surely our late eX-
periences cannot fail to persuade even
the most enthusiastic advocates of nu-
merOuS organizations. Officered by diff
ferent sets of officials, whose positions
as the official representatives of the diff
ferent organizations Invited and made
ha icfo nf
from which we, as craft, suffer to-day.
The results growing out of division of
our forces has created all almost gen
eral demand to be made from the rank
and file of both organizations for con-
sOlidatiOn of our powers
UNDER ONE OFFICIAL HEAD
and in keeping with their expressed de-
sireS, the writers of this met and agreed
upon the following plan, which he be-
lieved if adopted. would unite our forces
upon basis satisfactory to the MEM
bers of both organizations, and bring
about the beneficent results that all
demand.
First-To unite the two organizations un-
der one head TO govern and protect the in
terests of miners and mine laborers; this
union to be effected without sacrificing the
essential features of either organization.
Seconu-The organization to be divided
into national, district and local divisions, the
meetings OF which are to be either secret or
open, as the members may determine or the
exigancies of the case may require That is
TO say, the n Gaming of the terms 'topen or
secret SHAH be construed as applying to the
meetings of the National Progressive union
or the Knights of Labor, as the case may be.
Third-Equal taxation upon affiliated men,
bers.
Fourth-The staff of officers for the nat
ional and each district and local organiza- |
tion in which due provisions shall be made |
for visiting and directing the business of both |
branches of the organization.
The pecessity for unifcation of our |
forces demands that all the members of |
both existing unions, and even those |
miners not connected with either, give |
these propositions their careful thought |
and study, that they may be bel er pre- |
pared to intelligently consider the adop- |
ton or modification of the policy here |
outlined"
Signed by John P. Rae, W. NJ. 1856;
Robert Watchorn, Secretary-treaSurer; |
John Mcbride, president n. P. u; Pat |
rick McBryde, ,secretary-treaSurer II. P. |
T.; David Ross for \. p. L.
President John Mcbride also issued |
tho call for the regular annual conven- |
ton of the Nat ional Progressive union, |
to be held in Columbus, Tuesday, Jan. |
D. 1890. He refers to the fact that the |
Knights of Labor have issued call |
for
CONVENTION OF ALL MINERS,
organized and unorganiZed, to be held |
i'm this city on the same date, land tits |
intended to hold a joint meeting with |
them to make q final effort to unite our
forces and inaugurate decisive move
ment to increase mining prices and bet |
ter the condition of mine workers. We |
extend an invitation to miners not Or
ganiZed to send delegates to our eonven-
ton. and we ask our members to urge
upon them doing so. DO not let past
differences nor present prejudices pre-
vent our making strong and an honest
effort to ameliorate the condition Of our
craftsmen"