The age-herald., 1899-01-11
MINERS HAVE A
 TURBULENT SESSION
Bitter WrangIe Over Credentials
 Committee.
CHARGES OF UNFAlRNESS
Ohio Delegation Withdraws Its Nomi- nations for Office and Will Not Act Further Until Full h.
 vestigation Is Had.

Pittsburg January 10.-The bitter wran- gle over the appointment of the credentials committee, which occupied the entire ses- sion of the national convention of United Mine Workers yesterday was renewed inn mediately upon the opening of the conven- tion today. Charges of unfairness were freely made by the anti-administration factions and these accusations were promptly denied by President Ratchford, Acting President Mitchell and Secretary Treasurer Pierce.
 When the session was called to order, Chairman Keenan,, of the committee on credentials, reported that all the delegates entitled to representation had been seat d, and that a number had been rejected be- cause the locals had not fully compiled with the constitution.
 Before the report could be adopted, how ever, ex-President Mcbride created a sur prise by announcing that the Ohio delega- tion had decided to withdraw all candidates for offices from that state and that they would refuse to serve on any committee until a thorough investigation had been made This was done, he said, because the ohioans saw that outsiders were seeking to delay matters in order to secure the elec- ton of their own candidates This re- opened the discussion, and Patrick Dolan, Pennsylvania's candidate for president said that he was willing to withdraw his name from the list of candidates and leave a clean field to the book padders.
 T. L. Lewis, of Ohio, said that yesterday he was looked upon a candidate. Today he was a delegate. He alleged that the na- tional officers had used their influence in favor of certain cand dates for office, and that the funds of the miners had been used for eectioneering purposes. He said that he would make these charges in writing, and was prepared to prove all his ailega- tions.
 Acting President Mitchell said the charges were made without proofs, and denied that the organization had been used in his be- half The charges, he said were unmanly.
 He was followed by President Ryan, of Illinois, who caused some excitement by off, fering to donate $100 to the organization if the charges were proved.
 Dolan said he obtained his information from Edward Mckay at Columbus before the convention last year.
 The report of the credentials committee was then taken up. It showed 627 delegates divided as follows:
 Pennsylvania. 76; Illinois, 243; Ohio, 142; Indiana, 6S; Indian Territory, g; Arkansas, 10; Kansas, 10; Michigan, 1; West Virginia 6; Tennessee, 4; Kentucky 19; Iowa, 20; Alabama, ?.
 Pleas for harmony then followed and pending the adoption of the credentials re- port, committee of investigation composed of one delegate from each district was elected to examine the books and report to the convention.
 recess was then taken for lunch.
 At the afternoon session nothing was done, the time being devoted to addresses by several labor leaders until adjournm ent. The committe on investigation will be in session duriug the greater part of the night and is expected to report tomorrow.
 The appointment of the investigation com mittee is considered a victory for the anti- administration faction.