The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-04-02
MINERS QUIT WORK.
They Strike Against the 0. /.
Company's sIronclad."
SUPPORTED BY THE KNIGHTS.
Resolutions Dcnouncing the Company's
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS VIII Strike
for Ninc Hours.

telegram from the miners at Newcastle to
n J. Mcdonald, of the Knights of Labor state
executive board, yesterday announ ccd that the
miners, 800 in number, have struck there. Mr..
Mcdonald said that the majority Of the mem
bers Of the executive board left yesterday for
the scene OF the difhculty. He said the miners
were unanimous In their refusal to sign the con-
tract proposed by the company, and that pub
lie meeting had been held Monday last which
was attended by all the miners and the result
was that the two factions arc about to harmon
tie their internal difficulties.
At the meeting Of the state executive board,
held in this city Tuesday evening, at which 9
committee Of miners was present, the following
resolutions were adopted:
.swHERxAs, The Oregon Improvement Com
pauy hss submitted to the employees of one of
their mines, and NJ we believe intend submit
ting the same TO the employees OK their other
mines, what the company terms q miners
annual contract and rules and regulations of
the company or in other words what is known
- an sironciad for the employees to agree to sign
on penalty OF discharge from the employ of the
company on failure or refusal to do SO: and,
y "WHEREAs, Said 'ironclad requires every
61pef to be ready for duty when the whistle
blows In the morning and to perform q full
days work; the minimum amount Of coal 70 be
mined in any one room shnll not be less than
twelve (l21 square yards for each and every day
- which the mine is run a full day and,
WHEREAS, The said .ironclad' denies to the
miners the right to assemble together or attend
any meeting for whatsoever purpose in the mine
ar out Of it, on penalty of discharge; also that
amy employe feeling ngrieved in any respect
must present his claim to the Pill boss In person,
aad II not satisfied with the decision OF the pit
boss he may refer his grievance to the superin-
tendent. whose decision is final; and
s'WREEEAs, Said fronclad denies to each
ompIoye the right to remain or become mem
ber q any labor organization (which is an
Infringement upon the natural rights of the
1ndfvidual1 on penalty of FORGETTING all claims
for coal previously mined and not paid for and
xelcasing the company from liability therefor;
end,
sWHERKAs, Said sironclad' contains suudrv
other rules aud clauses that are, to say the
least, virtual NIrrendering by the employees OF
their individuality to the company; therefore,
be IL
'Rssolred, by the joint local executive board
81 the Knights Of Labor that we pronounce this
attempt Of the Oregon improvement Company
70 forco upon their employees such contract an
attempt to bring upon their said employees d sys-
tam Of bondage equal if not worsc thai chattel
slavery: and be IL further
Rts0trtd, Tint as American citizens who are
dcsfrosis Of perpctunting the right and priyileke
guaranteed by tho constitution Of our govern
1nent--thc right Of free speech and free assem-
hlaoe--wc will support financially and other
Wis the employees of said company in their re-
3t1sal to submit to surrender OF their rights as
American citizens to this proud company, aud
thof copy Of the foregoing be given to the daily
papers for publication