The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1896-11-28
MINE WORKERS. CONVENTION
An Important Quarterly Meeting Held in
POttSyile Yesterday.
LEGISLATIVE MEASURES DISCUSSED
A Committee Appointed to See That Proper
Mine Laws Are Enacted-Funds to be
Raised-Resolution COndemning
John Wanamaker Adopted.

until . p. IN. Among the items of business
transacted was the consideration of plans for
drafting bills against the company store
curse, regulating the payment of wages,
better ventilation laws aud legislation of a
similar character The most important
action taken was the unanimous adoption of
resolutions denouncing the Hon. John Wan
amaker as the enemy of the workingmen
and calling on the members of the State
Legislature to withhold from him their
support for United States Senator the posi-
tion for which he is at present making such a
fight.
District President John Fahy presided and
among the first subjects taken up were the
charges against William Smith, superintend-
ent Of Williams coliery on the Thuron tract,
preferred by Thomas Pott, a discharged en-
plOye, were brought to the attention of the
delegates and fully aired. Pott charged
Superintendent Smith, before Justice of the
Peace Kuebler, with violating certain sections
of the mine laws of the state. Pott charges
that the superintendent has employed more
than 20 persons at enc time without providing
two outlets separated by strata of not less
than so feet in breadth underground and 15O
feet at the surface with safe and dis
tinct means of ingress and egress at all
times available, according to Section /,
Article a. Act of 1891, thereby running
great risk of grave accident. The supern-
tendent is also charged with violating Rule
II, Article 12 by permitting more than 10
men to be hoisted or lowered at one time.
The complaint concludes with petition to
the court to issue warrant to the Sheriff for
the arrest of Supt. Smith for trial on the
charges. The ease will be tried in all proba-
bility at the next term of criminal court
The interest the Mine Workers will take in
matters of the kind will only be such as may
affect the affairs of the miners in the region
generally.
The convention, decided to raise a fund for
the purpose of paging the expenses of a COM
mittee at Harrisburg during the next session
of the Legislature whose duty it will be
to further the bills for the benefit of miners
and to see that the members of the Legisla-
ture do their duty With that end in view
resolutions were adopted urging local unions
to appoint committees to solicit subscriptions
from mine workers and requesting the bust
ness men and newspapers to lend their aid in
raising funds. The legislative committee is
also empowered to solicit, and all money will
be sent to ex Sheriff Vol, of PottsvilIe. who
will make public acknowledgements
Miles Dougherty, OF Shamokin p. w.
Doyle, of Cumbola and John Fahy, of Potts
vile, were appointed to constitute the Leg
islative committee.
In connection with the discussion of proper
legislation the following preamble and reso-
lutions were adopted
WHEREAS, One Of the chief fundamental prin.
ciples of the United Mine Workers of America
is that which looks to legislation for the best
possible laws for the just protection of labor in
its rightsi believing, as we do, that'to pursue
course of action along this line is in the end
much more effective and of more lasting benefit
to labor, than strikes, boycotts and such like
methods, which seldom result in permanent
good and usually tend to widen the breach be-
tween capital and labor, therefore we recognize
the great Importance of working people being
properly represented in our National and State
Legislative halls, and accordingly we have dur
ing the late election taken AN active and effec-
tive part in the election of State legislative can
didates, and
WHEREAS, We believe that equal in import
ance to our State Senate and House Of Represen-
tatives, comes the interest in behalf to en-
deavor to have the House of Representatives
and Senate at Washington composed Of men in
sympathy with the interests of American labor,
men who not only favor additional protective
legislation for us, but who themselves comply
of the Legislators in the mining regions we stand
opposed to Hon. john Wanamaker, of Phila-
delphia, one of the candidates mentioned for
the distinguished position of United States
senator, our reasons for which are:
FIRST, He has proven himself unfrendy to
labor by his action toward the street car men of
Philadelphia during their trouble last winter by
promises made to them which We're not re-
deemed, thus making himself obnoxious not
only to street car men, but to other worzmen
and fair-miuded citizens.
SECONDLY, Because OF his having been con
victcd in the United States District Court, in the
City OF Philadelphia April 29th, 1896, Of the
offence Of importing contract labor into the
United States in violation of the Act OF Con
gress, passed in 1855.
MOT. all
of the Legislature Of Pennsylvania, friendlE to
the cause of the free worllingmen of America
to satisfy themselves as To the truth of these
resolutions by reference to the record of the
proceedings had in a certain action of Assumpsit
to No >, May session, 1895, in the District Court
of the United States for the Eastern District OF
Pennsylvania, wherein the United States of
America is plaintiff and John Wanamaker and
Others, trading as John Wanamaker, are the de
fendants, and finding the same to be true we ask
OF them that they withhold their support from
this candidate for that high office; and that they
viii select from among our competent men q
man whose record is not stained by violation
of this law, but to select man, who, in private
life, as well as public utteraPce, is in full har
mony and consonanoe with the spirit and reason
of our immigration laws.
District President Fahy was endorsed for
any Office for which he may become cand- |
date ON the National Executive Board and
given discretionary powers in all matters
that may come before the national convention |
Tho bill introduced at the last session Of
the Legislature for a tax on pass books, checks |
and the company store system was unani- |
mously endorsed.
The convention adopted resolutions recom- |
needing the passage of law creating |
Bureau of Mines and Mining and also en-
lorsing the project to establish another hos |
pital in the northern part Of Schuylkill |
county.
Greetings from the Cigarmakers Intorna- |
.ional Union No. /, of Pottsyile were read
and heartily applapded.
Mr.. Boyle, representing the miners of
Audenreid and vicinity, asked that organizers
'e sent into the Lel.igh region. He said the
emi-monthly pay Jaw, company store sys.