The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1891-04-29

COLUMBUS, OIIlOI ApTll Zo'-lub ma
tional Executive Board Of the United
Mine Workers OF America concluded q
session Of several days this morning and
adjourned.
The meeting was called to hear state,
meuts from the Presidents OF Stale
miners organizationsreIative to the pre-
posed strike on May for the enforce.
men. Of the eight-hour labor day. The
reports we're almost unanimous, against
the movement, various reasons being
given why they could not enter upon a
strike at this time. The result OF the
conference was the following address to
the United Mine Workers Of America.
THE ADDRESS.
"FELLow.MIH - From the time
that mining became an industry Of i'm.
por.ance within the boundary OF the
United States OF America, the question
OF shortening the hours Of labor bas
exercised the minds OF the thinking
men OF our trade.
Circumstances, brought about by the
exceptionally peculiar position OF our
industry, both with regard to Geograph-
icsl location and diversity OF thought
and opinion entertained by the divers
classea Of people seeking employment
within our trade, rendered 1t impossible
to unite the miners OF the country in
one solid phaianx for any given object
OF reform. But by the natural
law Of evolution and by prac.
tiCe and exercise Of manly
patience, and by q suppression Of per.
sUnsl prejudice on the part Of the
miners Of The country during the past
two years, we had arrived at the stage in
orgau ization ut our last annual conVen.
ton when every friend OF the miners
throughout the whole land believed that
this great reform (eight hourly WAS with.
in our easy grasp, and steps were taken
by resolution and otherwise 10 inaugu-
rate the system.
THE GREAT COKE STRIKE.
Since that time the world has been
startled by one Of the most awe.inspir.
ing strikes in the annals OF our trade.
The coke workers OF the Connellsviils
region, fer the past twelve weeks, have
been tie participants in battle waged
by organized capital against organized
labor which ran only be termed the CORY
precursor OF the seemingly inevitable
strife between the two forces in q general
and more comprehensive manner.
While the men, women and children OF
this region have been the victims OF the
Sheriff 3 writs and his deputies Win.
Chesters, and while they are now threat
ened with the still more cowardly and
still more interruptions methods OF the
dastardly PiDkertons, It has been the
duty OF the United Mine Workers to
render TO those people all the
financial assistance possible and
compatible with the laws Of our
organization. Therefore, 1t Is unneces.
sary that we should say that the funds.
which under other circumstances would
have been available for our purpose on
the first Of May, have been very ma.
teTiAIiy reduced. In q word, the time,
attention and finances Of our organize.
ton have been diverted to a channel,
which at the time Of our annual conven-
tion was almost wholly unexpected.
A BOLD STEP.
When the late Pittsburgh convention
was held, 1t was ordered there that II
Necessary to review the situation pre-.
vious to the fiut OF May, the district
presidents should be called together
with the National Executive Board. to
consult as 10 the proper course to be
adopted, and We now learn that there
has been within the competitive dis.
triCt u detection on the part OF
the disOrganiZed miners OF various
sections, and as the custodians
Of the interests OF the people who have
placed us in the position which we &C
Cupy, We positively, though reluctantly,
refuse with our eyes open and tull and
complete knowledge OF the situation to
ieopardize those interestR, and will not
DO responsible for the accompanying
sullerings and sacrifices OF strike to
our constituents and their families.
Seeing, as we do, the above
mentioned situation, and knowing, as
ne do, that thousands of vampires and
vultures (Ior that Is their proper name)
arc waiting now for the Htst Of May, 80
that they may, Rs 1t we're, feed on the
sacrifices Of the organized miners OF the
country.
THE sTRiKE DErERREp.
We appreciate fully the boldness Of
tHiS step; we realize the disappointment
to thouqauds OF our friends, but, realiz.
ing that discretion lie tho better part OF
yaIor, and that the good general, rather
shan lead his army headlong to
disaster, prefers TO make an honor.
able retreat, takes tho latter course
and II II can be called re-
treat, we prefer it rather than TO
have the maledictlons Of our people
after they have suffered for keeping
back tho truth from them, and have de-
Terminsd al the present time 10 continue
the fight in the coke region With all our
might and VigoEr We have, therefore
passed the following resolution and sub
nit it to you with ali Candor, humility
and respect.
"Egoirol, That the eight.ho move
nent be deferred for the time being and
that the time for action be left il tbs
handsOi the National Executive BoarC
and the Presidents Of the various dis
GHcts"
]. ?. JoNEs, ". 3. WILSON,
IouS KANE, JOHN WHITE,
M, ]. GORlXGs, ]. PAISLEY,
VIC. FRANCE, j. WISE,
NTnpN- I'D MCRBIDH