The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1899-01-10
MAY BOLT THE MEETING
MANY DELEGATES TO MINERS CON-
VENTION DISSATISFIED.
Charges of Trickery in the Naming of
Committee to Wise Credentials
-Caucus of OhiOans.

PITTSBURG, Jan. 9.-The delegates to the
tenth annual convention of the United Mine
Workers OF America We're slow in arriving
at old City Hail to-day, and it was nearly
IL o'clock before National President Ratch-
ford raped for order and delivered his an
nual address. About five hundred delegates
from thirteen States were then in their
seats. and about one hundred more were
expected before the close of the day. 1t
was the largest and most representative
gathering Of miners ever held, and the con-
vention which will continue throughout the
week promises to be the most important in
the history of the mine workers organiza-
ton
Immediately after the opening of the ses-
sion a dispute arose between President
Ratchford and District President Dolan
over the appointment of the credentials
committee, and the entire session was taken
up with an acrimonious discussion as to the
right of the chairman to name the commit
tee. At 1:S0 the convention adjourned to to-
morrow without having taken a ballot for
the new officers. After adjournment the
delegates congregated in groups and much
excitement was evident. Charges of trick
cry flew thick and fast, and tomorrow
there may be a bolt from the convention.
One of the principal causes for opposition
to the administration faction is that the
president M. d. RatchfGrd, holds a govern
ment office, and it is tholght he should not
exercise the functions OF the presidential
office and take so much interest in the cleo
ton of officers as he is. President Ratch-
ford was supported to-day in his contention
against District President Dolan for the
right to appoint the committee on creden-
tials by a vote of 207 against 1H. The COM
mittee consists of p j. keenan,, of Illinois;
Walter Cavery, of Pennsylvania and JOS
eph Smart, of Ohio. Dolan wanted one del
egate from each State the committee,
and claimed the president had no constitu-
tional authority to appoint.
After adjournment the Ohio delegates
were in an ugly humor and caucus was
called for ? p. m. Every delegate was pres
ent. w. II. Haskns the president, an
nounced that matters were being run by
persons to suit themselves and that it was
time to enter a protest. number OF hot
speeches denOuncing the action of the con-
Venton were made, Patrick McBryde max
ing the principal address. He said that the
books of the organization ought to be in
NeStigated as to the standing of delegates
desiring seats in the convention. He claimed
that under the constitution no delegate
could sit unless he had paid dues into the
organization for six consecutive months A
committee consisting of T. l.. Lewis Pat
rick McBryde and John Richard was APP
pointed to wait on Secretary w. G. Pearce
and ask for the standing of delegates. The
committee returned with the statement
that they had met with a covert refusal 1t
was then decided that if the tactics of UNI
fairness were to be continued all candidates
for office from Ohio and Pennsylvania with
draw in favor of Illinois and give that dele
cation full sway. In other words it means
bolt from the convention. The programme
for tomorrow will probably be to rush
matters and get through with the work as
quickly as possible.
Among the important questions to be con-
sidered during the convention are an adj
vance in wages an eight-hour work day
and the general adoption of the run-of-mine
system. These questions will be decided
upon for presentation fer adoption at the
joint interstate convention of coal operators
and miners, to be held here next week, to
arrange the interstate wage agreement for
the ensuing year, beginning April /, 1899
At the last national convention but five
States Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia,
Indiana and Illinois, were represented. At
this convention the additional States sending
delegates are Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky,
Tennessee, Michigan, Iowa, Arkansas and
Indian Territory. The delegates in attend
ance represent over one hundred thousand
miners.