Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-04-02
OHIO MINERS celebrate.
A Rousing Demonstration at Bridge
port Yesterday.
The Inauguration Of the Eight Hour
Schedule Celebrated by Miners of
3 elm ont County-Elo q u en- t
Speeches by Prominent Speak
ers-Other Demonstrations Mine
Situation on This Side Of the River.

Situation on This Side Of the River.
belmont county miners yesterday
celebrated the Inauguration Of the
eight hour schedule and advance in
WAGES by rousing meeting held in the
afternoon at Union Hall, Bridgeport.
The meeting was attended by miners
from Flushing. Maynard, Barton. Cres-
cent, Franklin and Wheeling Creek.
The delegations from Flushing, Mayn-
ard and Barton came in on the c., L.
& w. road as far as the Wheeling
Creek mines. There they got off the
train and joined the Wheeling Creek
miners, who marched in body to the
place of meeting at Bridgeport. Be-
tween three and four hundred miners
were present and listened with mark
ed attention to the addresses of the
speakers.
The meeting was called to order at
two o'clock by w. H. H. Riley, Presi-
dent of the National Stogie Makers
League. Thomas McGough was made
permanent chairman. He accepted the
honor in a brief but appropriate
speech. In the course of his remarks
he pointed out in forcible manner
the necessity of better organization, as
this is only the beginning of their bat
ties and victories to be won.
M. F. Tighe, ex-President of the Ohio
Valley Trades and Labor Assembly,
was the next speaker introduced. Mr.
Tighe congratulated the miners upon
their glorious achievement made at
Chicago. He said had it not been for
the strong arm of organization they
would never have been successful. The
third speaker of the afternoon was
Constantine w. Bente, editor of the
Belmont Banner, who addressed the
German element. Previous to his
speech Mr. Bente said that before he
addressed the meeting in German he
would say that his fellow countrymen
had tender feeling for the country
that gave them their birth and were
ready to take up arms for the United
States against Spain, Germany or any
other country if necessary. Strict at
tention was paid to the speaker
throughout his discourse and he was
frequently interrupted by applause.
Hon. C. ]. Howard, of GAINESVILLE,
Belmont countys representative in the
State Legislature, was the next speak
er presented. Mr., Howard is a young
man but an eloquent speaker. He
congratulated the miners upon the ten
cent advance they had secured, and
spoke of it as a great achievement for
labor. He strongly urged better or
ganization and said the work of one
class helps to benefit every other class
of people.
Mr.. Howard spoke at length upon
various matters of legislation concern
ing the workingman. In conclusion
he moved that the meeting indorse
every action taken by Congress upon
the Cuban question. The motion was
carried by hearty and unanimous
vote.
John Mitchell. of Spring Valley, Ills,
national Vice President Of the United
Mine Workers, followed. Mr.. Mitch
ell spoke of the advantages of organ
ization and strongly urged the con-
centration of the mining forces, say
ing that it was the only way in which
they could deal with the oppressors of
labor. Mr. Mitchell said that while
not only Cuba was starving there were
thousands of men, women and chill
dren on the verge of starvation in the
United States. Mr.. Mitchell was a
very forcible speaker and received well
merited applause.
Samuel Hartman, of Wheeling. adj
dressed the meeting in the German
language. The temporary chairman,
Mr.. Riley, was called upon for few
remarks. After offering some good ad-
vice Mr.. Riley suggested that the meet
ing give the visiting speakers vote of
thanks, which was given with a will.
LOCAL MINES CLOSED
Miners Of This District Out Until the New
schedule and Scale is Settled.
vaefArday was the day for the min