The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-09-11
STILL DEBATING
Miners Have Not Yet Reached a
Conclusion on the Operators
Proposition.
Reading OF 2. Letter From DOlan's
Home Mine Caused q
CommOtiOn.
Labor Leaders Telegraph Insist
ent Advice to Accept Terms
Offered.

COLUMBUS, O., Sept. II. The miners
are still talking, in national convention,
about settlement of the strike, and re-
porters who hang about the doors out.
side say the convention will run into
another day. The third days session
was called to order at a. m. Two test
votes have been taken that had their
bearing on the question Of accepting the
proposition of the Pittsburg operator of
IS cents per ton. The resolution at
stake was proposition from Chris Evans
to the effect that in the event Of settle
ment that the work Of organizing was
to be continued in the West Virginia
fields, and to give the result to the
newspapers. A delegate called for
division on the question, and both were
promptly voted down. In fact, up to
this time every proposition made by the
officers who have proposed the settle.
ment has been promptly shelved. The
opposition to this attempt, in private
way claims to control two-thirds of the
members of the convention.
A prominent man, one who has been
instrumental in raising a large amount
of aid for the starving miners in Ohio,
says the convention had better accept
the proposition, as it would in the fu.
ture be almost an impossibility to Sc.
cure further contributions.
Declared Against Settlement.
It is known that the day will be
mainly devoted to considering resolu-
tons bearing on certain things. A most
exciting incident happened when new
delegate from Cehil, Pa, (the home of
President Dolan) presented his creden-
tials. The delegate is q Frenchman
and very bright, and brought with, him
a letter from the local union emphati-
cally declaring against accepting the
IS cents offered by the Pittsburg oper-
ators. The reading of the letter nearly
resulted in a rough and tumble fight,
and only prompt explanation saved a
most disgraceful scene Oh the floor of
the convention. President Dolan
promptly declared the letter "a lie. -
The delegate deliberately pulled off his
coat, threw it on chair, and in vigor-
Gus language inquired:
"Does the president mean to say that
that l am liar:"
"No," replied President Dolan; "but
do mean to say that the letter is a
lie.'
'That is all right as to the letter, but
he must not say am liar. AS to the
letter being lie, Mr.. Dolan can settle
with the local union when he returns
home"
For the time the difficulty was avoid
ed, but it clearly indicated that even in
the Pittsburgh district the feeling is
not all for accepting the proposition OF
the miners.
One of the matters which has its in
fluence with the Indiana delegations
is that ex.President Penna, now super
intendent of mine at Brazil, Ind, ant
J. H. Tolley, the largest mine owner
in the state, asked President Ratchfort
some time ago for permit to secure Y
per cent of the operators in Indiana t
pay any demand of the miners, on con
dition that the Indiana operator be al
lowed to resume work. This Mr.
Ratchford declined. He said all mus
20 to work or none. Some Of the In
diana delegates look upon this action o1
Mr.. Ratchford as s'lost opportunity
for them, for now they know they can
not settle upon any such favorabl
terms. They have instituted activ'
work to bring the Indiana operator
into line.
Urged to Accept the R~te.
The most important resolution Of tn
day provided for IS cent rate in tn
Pittsburg district, all other fields in tn
competitive districts to be at the sam
ratio. The resolution was tabled. ]
would have covered all the states.
substitute'is to be offered providing 70
the IS cent rate in the Pittsburg dis
trict, pure and simple. A large mum