The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-02-02
HOURS OR LONGER.
The Subject That is Agitating the
Miners of the Camp at
Butte.
Suggestions as to What Kind of
Man Should be Made In
spector.
Promising Outlook for the Monitor and
Prospects for q Big Legal Fight
Over Surface Ground.

BUTTE, Feb. 1.-The eight hour question
has been the chief topic of discussion
among the mining men of this camp dur
ing the past week and every phase of the
subject has been pretty thoroughly aired by
their busy brains. As at the first, when
this topic was brought out, the general
drift of the talk has been for conservative
action. There has been no idea even Of
forcing its consideration but simply to
bring it forward for discussion in hopes
that the agitation may raise up friends.
The general plan in this camp has been to
work the men ten hours on day shift and
nine hours nights save and except Satur-
days when extra time is given all the force.
The miners claim that a man connot last
h is compelled to work ten hours each
day in deep mining and especially where
the water compels him to wear rubber
clothing. Aside from the dangers incident
their life they claim that a few years of this
work will break the constitution of the most
hardy miner and that he must then sue
Dumb or take to some other calling. With
this in view they claim that eight hours is
enough for a days work and that both
mine owners and miners would gain by the
change. They have great faith in Presi-
dents Eddy and Gillfllon. who are repre-
senting them in Helena and expect to do
the best possible under the circumstances,
Another matter that is receiving a great
deal of attention from these hardy under
ground workers is the mining inspector.
This they contend is one of the most i'm.
portant offices in the state and should be
filled by a thoroughly competent man., 40
cordinR to the ordinary rules of Justice the
miners and mining men should be allowed
to select him, but this being out
of the question, they argue that he should
be chosen by the people at large and the
Office be removed from the possibility OF it's
clan who does not know anything about
mining. This measure will doubtless be
brought before the present legislature and
an effort made to bring about the desired
changes.
Among the mines that have been brought
rapidly to the front of late no one has
promised better than the Monitor. This
property ia situated among the best on the
hill ana has always been regarded as a good
prospect. Williams a. Whitman. two Of the
owners, hold a bond and lease upon it for
$4,000, and if the recent developments are
to be relied upon they will not be long in
taking up the same. Their first work was
to sink the main shaft to the 200,
and then cross cutting
both north and south. On the
snuth two leads have been
struck each about fou feet i'll thickness,
showing IN average of IS per cent. copper
with n good valuation in silver. Enough
rock is already in sight, II this valuation
holds ont, to warrant the future of the
mine. This mine Is 80 near the city limits
that the surface ground ia very valuable
for town lots and the lawyers are promised
quito n slice of ii before settlement cnn DO
reached. kemper IL Co. claim the surface
a. a placer and are seeking now to confne
the Monitor men to the side ines in prose-