The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-09-10

COLUMBUS. o., Sept s,-The miners
convention remained in executive session
until late this afternoon, adJournlng un-
I'll tomorrow morning without having
taken vote on the proposed settlement.
President Ratchford said to an Associa-
ted Press representative tonight;
"You may predict with every degree
of certainty that a settlement viii be
reached and that the action OF the ma
tional board in recommending settle
ment will be endorsed. The delegates
are beginning TO see that the best ching
they can do is to accept the proposition
of the operators and return to work at
the price offered. While the convention
should have finished ts business to-day,
n was Impossible to do so, Nearly every
delegate desired to say something re-
garding conditions In his own locality
and the convention had to permit them
to have their say. Wien they have mn
lshed the convention can get To work
The arguments that have been pre-
sented by the officials and members or
the executive board In favor OF settle
ment have had great weight with the
delegates who have come TO the conven-
tion uninstructed and even some OF those
who came with instructions have gone SO
far as to communicate with their con-
stltuents asking to be relieved OF In
structlons that they may be free to vote
as they deem best. Should this drift OF
sentiment continue until vote Is taken
the proposition for settlement VIII un-
doubtedly be accepted.
The question as 90 whether settle
ment on the lines proposed can be made
general appears to be thestumblinB
block at this time. II the delegates
from Illinois. Indiana. West Virginia
and portions OF Ohio, were assured that
the settlement would be beneficial TO
them as well as to the miners OF the
Pittsburgh district, they would not
hesitate to form a settlement. The llli-
nols miners have not changed their po'
sition and positively decline to accept
the terms of settlement proposed by the
national board. The officials have par
TALLY met the argument OF the Illinois
miners by saying that II the Illinois del
egates will agree to n settlement so that
the miners OF other states can resume
work the Illinois operators will be for
ced to pay the price by their competl-
tors In other states. Should Illinois
agree to this arrangement, Indiana and
West Virginia will fall into line without
hesitation.
The committee on resolutions Is about
equally divided on the question OF a set
tlement and will probably present two
reports to the convention tomorrow.
There were some fiery speeches in the
executive session OF the convention by
delapa tns from Ohio Illinois and West
Vlrqinia. Secretary T. L. Lewis, of the
Ohio miners. said that no matter what
action the convention took II would not
settle the strike, and Organizer Ray
who has been at work In West viz
glnia, charges that the conditions in
that state were due largely to 1t being
overrun by non-union miners from Ohio
and the Pittsburgh district. He said If
these two districts had been organized
properly there would have been no trou-
BILE in bringing the West Virginia min
ers into line. A proposition to admit ad-
ditIonal delegates from Pennsylvania,
caused a stormy discussion. The Illinois
delegates objected on the ground that II
one state was allowed this privilege, 1t
should be accorded to all. The matter
was OF material Importance rs to admit
new delegates might change the vote
aud the opposition was so strong that
the motion to admit the additional
Pennsylvania delegates was voted
down.
An effort will be made by the officers
to bring the convention to n close to-
morrow, provided the prospects OF a
favorable vote on the proposition for e
settlement are ripe.