Evening journal., 1890-01-23
MINERS IN CONVENTION.
Will the Two Great Labor Or
ganizations Amalgamatep
THE OUTLOOK QUITE FAVORABLE

The National Progressive Union and the
knights of Labor Miners In Joint Con-
yention at Columbus. o., to Consider
Scheme to Unite in One order.
COLUMBUS, o., Jan. 23.-The national con-
ventions Of two mammoth organizations of
miners, the National Progressive Union of
Miners and Mine Laborers and National Dis
trict Assembly No. 1S5, Knights Of Labor,
met here yesterday. These conventions have
the power to say whether there will be peace
or war between the two organizations, and
whether there shall be uniting Of forces.
During the past year there has been much
strife in the mining districts, especially in
Ohio, for supremacy between the Progress
siye union and the Knightso OF Labor miners,
and much hard feeling has been engendered,
but as the combining of the forces means
more strength, and is a matter Of bread and
butter to the miners, they all are believed to
be in favor Of one organization.
Plans of Operation.
The joint committee Of the two organiza-
tions, composed of Master Workman j. B.
Rae and Robert Watchorn, of No. 1856,
Knights of Labor, and President John Nc
Bride and Secretary Patrick McBryde, of
the National Progressive union, and David
| Ross, of the National Progressive union, at
| the meeting held at the Grand Central ho-
| tel agreed that each convention should
meet separately and consider the question Of
amalgamation, preparing what they believe
to.be the best and most effectual plan for
| the union. ,.-.4a.u g1SR
| A committee was appointed by each to
meet jointly and form general plan from
the separate plans, and report to the joint
convention today.
The Progressive Unions Convention.
The general convention of the National
| Progressive union was called to order in
| Hungarian hall by President John Mcbride
at 1875 o'clock. There was a large attend.
ance of delegates, who were intelligent in
appearance and appeared to be ready for the
great questions to come before them concern
ing the mining interests. President Mcbride
appointed the following committee on ore
dentinls: Messrs John Kane, of Indiana;
John S. Davis, of Ohio; James Harrison, of
Illinois; Joseph Welch, Of Ohio, and A. NJ
| Ferrell, of Kentucky. While the committee
was at work President Mcbride introduced
| Speaker N. r. Hisel, of the Ohio house Of
representatives, who was present, as tone Of
the old leaders who has reached a position
never before reached by coal miner Mr.
/ Hisel was given an enthusiastic reception.
and he responded with a neat address in
which he strongly advocated the proposed
amalgamation.
Personnel OF the Delegation.
The committee on credentials made their
report 70 rhe convention. The report
showed that there were 50 delegates present,
who are distributed among the states as
follows; Ohio, "a; Pennsylvania, z; Illinois,
8; Indiana, 10, Kentucky I, and West Vir-
ginia, together with the president and sec
retary and the other two members Of the
executive board. The report was received
and adopted The foil owing committee on
order Of business was appointed: John p.
Jones, Of Ohio; M. McCmade, Of Pennsyl-
vania: William Scoife, of Illinois; j. Meide,
Of West Virginia, and NJ. Comiskey, Of
| Indiana.
President McBride's Address.
/ After the recess, President Mcbride made
his annual address. He reviewed the work
Of the union since its organization, and the
troubles and strikes which occurred; also
the action of the indianapolis convention
| on the amalgamation question. He said
that he anticipates trouble in arranging the
details, and advised the delegates to be calm
and careful in the consideration Of the
question in the joint convention.
The open and secret branch question was
touched upon, and he said that the scruples Of
the National Progressive union could prob
ably be overcome by having open and secret
branches, these to work together He said
that this, or the joint convention, should
move in favor Of concerted acuion for an
advance in wages He advised that the
office Of secretary and treasurer be made
one.
The Treasurer's Report.
Secretary Treasurer Patrick McBryde
made his annual report 1t showed that on
Feb. last there were less than 5000 men,
bers By the end of March $1,000 members
we're enrolled. Strikes and other draw
backs had cut the order down considerably,
but since Oct. 1 to the present there was
a marked Improvement On Jan. 1, 1890,
there were 10000 members. The financial
statement showed the following: Receipts,
| &9,095 o. expenditures, $s,955.O5; balance
on hand Jan. !, 1890, s13sss. Delegates
were then called upon for the views of their
constituents. A telegram was received from
Secretary William Martin, Of the Iron and
Steel workers, urging amalgamation. Pres
ident Gompers, Of the American Federation,
sent a communication favoring consolida-
ton and the eight hour movement.
knights of Labor Miners Meet.
At 10 o'clock the national convention OF
National District assembly 1856, composed Of
| Knights of Labor miners, opened in the city
hall, John b. Rae, OF Coalmont, Pa, as
master workman of the national organiza-
tion, presiding. A committee on credentials
was appointed as follows; George Douglass,
Of Columbus; John Nugent, Of Straitsville,
o.; William B. Wilson, Of Pennsylvania;
| w. c. Webb, of Kentucky; John G. Nc
Nulty, Of Pennsylvania; John Ii. Kennedy,
Of Indiana. The committee in reporting
stated that credentials of 103 delegates had
been examined, and these with five who
came in during the morning session made
an attendance of los delegates, representing
all parts Of the country. One-fourth Of these
are from the coke region of Pennsylvania.
The sessions were held with closed doors,
the time being given up entirely TO listen
ing TO addresses by delegates from the differ
emit mining regions of the country on the
proposed amalgamation. Among the dozen
or more delivered at the morning session
was one by Robert Watchorn, secretary
treasurer of the district.