Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1900-03-02


Labor's recent progress has been IL
Illustrated in several phases by facts
connected with the convention of Unit
ed Mine Workers, recently convened
at Indianapolis. Delegates from seven
teen states and territories represented
every district east of the Rocky noun
tains in which coal is mined, and those
from some Of the greatest districts
were the representatives of every mine
worker in those regions. All told
about $50 delegates acted for $1,000
constituents, and the craft is nearer
complete unity than it has ever before
been. Not only miners, but many OPP
orators were present, to take part in
the joint conference following the con-
vention, at which wages, hours, and
conditions are subjects of agreement,
after mutual discussion and concession.
Southern operators were most conspic-
uous by their absence, and the proceed
ings were not in every respect all that
could have been desired, but the great
principle was recognized by the major
ity in interest of employers that their
employees have a right to treat with
them by proxy; that the union is to be
respected, and it's invitation to meet
and discuss trade matters is to be ac-
cepted; that fulfillment of contracts
made with it may be relied upon.
These are some of the things that
mark labor's progress. 1t is very
great advance over the period when
one branch of the mining population
found that it's organization, whatever
it may have been at one time, had de-
generated into murderous conspiracy,
when outlaws styled Molly Maguires
seized the reins, cruelty misrepresent-
ed thousands of reputable men, and
held a great part of Pennsylvania in
mortal terror of assassination. Changes
like this can spring only from in
creased intelligence, wider diffused,and
conditions of production and trade.
Modern unions are very democratic.
The sentiment Of the majority quickly
finds voice through those delegated to
speak and act for all. Hence one secs
in the actions of conventions such as
this, and the consideration accorded
the same by others, a fair picture of
the advanced ground occupied by the
individual members as parts of the
community. This convention recog-
nized that 1t is not we'll to have too
many irons in the fire at one time.
Probably a majority Of miners believe
in the double monetary standard, IN
rs to l." but resolution favoring the
free coinage Of silver was tabled amid
cries of I'VE are no monetary conven-
toni" The miners recognize that
their union exists for one purpose, not
for every sort of one. That purpose
includes the support of every other
kind of organized labor, and they just
as quickly went on record instructing
members to buy only union-mads
goods when the same were obtainable,
and came near voting fines on those
who should refuse to heed the instruc-
ton. l believe that, Independent of
financial and other benefits that will
accrue to miners as the result Of the
deliberations of this convention and
the Joint conference following it, the
manner in which it conducted its bust
ness, the things it did, and the things
it declined to do, cannot fail to in
crease the respect accorded organized
labor by the community at large.