The Indianapolis journal., 1899-01-11
THE MINERS WRANGLE
QUARREL IN THE NATIONAL CONVEN-
TION NOT YET SETTLED.
OhiOans Trying to DepOse RatchfOrd
Because He rs a Member of the
Industrial Commission.

PITTSBURG, Pa, Jan. 10.-The bitter
wrangle over the appointment of the creden-
tials committee which occupied the entire
session of the national convention of the
United Mine Workers yesterday was re-
newed Immediately on the opening of the
convention to-day. Charges of unfairness
were freely made by the anti-administration
factions and these accusations were prompt
ly denied by President Ratchford, acting
President Mitchell and Secretary-treasurer
Pearce.
When the session was called to order,
Chairman Keenan, of the committee on Gre
dentials reported that all the delegates en-
titled to representation had been seated and
that a number had been rejected because
the local unions had not fully complied with
the constitution. Before the report could
be adopted, however, ex-President Mcbride
created a surprise by announcing that the
Ohio delegation had decided to withdraw
all candidates for Office 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, be-
cause the Ohioans saw that outsiders were
seeking to delay matters in order to secure
election of their own candidates. This re-
opened the discussion, and Patrick Dolan,
Pennsylvania candidate for president, said
that he was willing to withdraw his name
from the list of candidates and leave
clean field to the 'book-padders."
T. l.. Lewis, of Ohio, said that yesterday
he was looked upon as a candidate. To-day,
he was a delegate. He alleged that the ma
tional officers had used their influence in
favor of certain candidates for Office and
that the funds of the miners had been used
,Jo IL -oi1 hot
he would make these charges in writing and
was prepared to prove all his allegations.
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
Offering to donate $100 10 the organization
if the charges were proved. Dolan said he
obtained his information from Edward Nc
Kay at Columbus before the convention last
year
The report of the credentials committee
was then taken up. 1t showed 627 delegates,
243 Ohio, 1872 Indiana, 6S; Indian Territory,
8; Arkansas, 10; Kansas 10; Michigan /;
West Virginia, 6; Tennessee, 4; Kentucky,
19; Iowa, 90 Alabama, 24. Pleas for har-
mony then followed and pending the adop-
ton of the credentials report, committee
OF investigation, composed of one delegate
from each district, was elected to examine
the books and report to the convention. A
recess was then taken for lunch. At the
afternoon session nothing was done, the
time being devoted to addresses by. several
labor leaders until adjournment The com
mission on investigation will be in session
during the greater part of the night
After adjournment the Ohio delegation
held a conference and decided to contest
tomorrow the right of President RatchfOrd
to hold office. the ground that he is
member Of the national industrial commits
sion and cannot therefore comply with Sec
requires the president to devote his time
and attention to the interests of the union:
The springing of this subject is expected
to precipitate another heated wrangle The
appointment of the investigation committee
is considered a victory blythe anti-admin-
istration faction.