Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-02-11
THE COMING FIGHT.
A Gigantic Labor Strike Prepar.
ing for May.
MINE WORKERS GETTING IN LINE.

VI ACCOMMODATION - UOm DerS
Makes an Address Calling on tie aIen
to Close Up for Eight Hours "a Day
Nov ment That VIII Involve IFS. 900
Workmrn
COLUMBUS O., Feb lL-High alb we the
stage OF tbs City hall. in evergreen letters
foot long, hangs the motto Eight
Hours Per Day" Elsewhere npon the
walls OF the spacious room are otn II mot
toes having similar import. They ex-
press TIE sentiment and indicate the
fAtnre demands of the United Mine
Workers Of America, whose first annual
Convention began here yesterday morning.
The American federation, it is known,
has selected the giant miners organiza-
ton 10 make the next great national
struggle for eight hours Thous ands of
workmen, with an almost perfect orclut.
aation AMI backed by millions o. dollars,
will engage II the battle agains- aggra-
gated capital
Prem inent Men Present
AT this mine workers annual conven-
ton 1t Is expected that much OF the pre-
liinlnary detail OF the impending battle
will be arranged. For this reason the ses-
sion is attracting national interest from
other than the mining interests Besides
the general officers OF the mine workers
many distinguished labor leaders are pres
ent, among whom are Samuel Com
pers. president of the American Fedora
ton OF Labor; Secretary and Treasurer
Hayes, of tie Knights of Labor general
assembly; \. w. Wright, member of the
gran
Dor; Hugh j. kavanaugh. general worthy
foreman, Knights of Labor, and H on. John
Mcbride, Ohio state commissioner of la
Dor statistics
Hands Across Chasm
At the morning session comm tees on
credentials and on rules having been an
pointed committee was sent to escort
President GOmpers and the other distip-
guished gentlemen to the hall When
they appeared upon the stage Il dramatic
scene eGsued. President John b. Rae, of
the United Mine workers. stepped for
ward to the front of the platform holding
in his own the hands Of Mr.. Gonlpers, of
the American Federation, and Mr..
Wright, of the Knights OF Labor. The
resonant cheers which moment before
had beat against the castelated roof of
the vast hall were for a moment hushed
into stiffness profound. Said President
Rae, in tones of triumph and exuItation:
~These clasped hands are indicative of the
true spirit of fraternity of feeling which
Joins and cements the interests of these
three giant labor organizations ="
Gompers Delivers an Address.
Then again great volumes Of sound
broke the stiffness. Cheer upon cheer
from the lusty threats of brawny miners
rose to the ceiling aud were echoed back
only to lie caught and returned upon an
advancing wave of renewed applause
President Gompers then addressed the
convention, his remarks treating princi-
pally Of the eight hour movement. He
said, substantially;
think the very happy incident lust given
by your president indicates the feefiu z between
the labor organ Zations of the country I
think it would be apropos to sneak OF the eight
hour movement. The American Federation of
Labor decided that there shall be a successive
movement % national trades for the establish
Inent Of the eight hour work day
Advantages of Eight Hours
We believe, or rather the history o. tho labor
organizations illustrates, that a reduction in
the hours Of labor has been invariably followed
10y an increase in wages; also a l,et-arrnent az
the condition of the wage workers. 1t gives
them that most important factor n lifetime;
time that commences with our first breath and
ends only when we die; time to cultivate our
minds, our bodies: time to devote to orr f2rri-
lies; to raise our children as they should be
raised; 70 promote the fraternal fee ing among
men. There IL no one question far-reaching
that promises so great results and to accom-
pilsh our emancipation to reduce the hours
OF labor.
Successes of the Past
May /, 1899. witnessed and passeI oy-nr . ,,lr,5
less revolution. The carpenters sele tod br tbo
A r. OF L. not only reduced the hours of labor
but thousands NJ others reduced their hours of
aoor winnie there We're quite large humber
who did rot succeed, they came out OF fhe com
test with fyin2, colors; numerically ffnancia1iy-
and in every way better than whom thpv an
tered. Movements of labor for reform are re-
warded Ey IN amount of success in the same
degree that there is spirit of valo1. on tha ono
hand, spirit Of aggressiveness on the other
No faint heartedness in the labor movement
ought To he tolerated. We must 20 at it deter
minedly and not take step backward.
Work Before the Convention
recognize the representative character of
this convention, and its power to do good work.
You not only are required to carry out the IN
structions OF previous conventions Of miners
but come fresh from your constituents, know
ing their wants and feelings, and you are in a
position 10 le-islate positively their wishes.
You also have the wishes of other tl;ldes TO car
ry out, that you insist on the enforcement Of
the eight hour workday. lApplause. May I,
1890, mist witness the inaugurato n for the
miners OK the country of an eight hour work
day. You VIII meet in conference in few
months with the operators. Let tkcrl under
stand that the United Mine Workers are
unit at least one question, that Is, eight
hours that you standing a sclid pha-
lanx from the Atlantic to the Pacific. from gulf
to gult. fo- an eighth work day
A Plea for United Action.
There must be perfect accord and frankness
with up All through the working forces OF
the country there is a pulse-beat common
impulse for The success of the NOV ,meut. The
impetus obtained by the miners this year viii
give the employers such an idea that suspen-
sion viii not To necessary in the other trades TO
secure eight hours nope they win show tae
good sense to concede you eight hours
4 Contest settled.
At the afternoon session there was q
long and animated contest a to the Gre
dentials Of John Costello and Charles Nc
Donald. OF f'ittsburg Each cltimed to he
entitled tn "A seat in the convention. Both
were finally admitted upon the tacit nm