The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-01-19
ADOPT SECOND REPORT
MINE WORKERS IN A wRANGLE
OVER SEATING OF DELEGATES.
Dangerous Resolution Is Sent Back
to the Committeeman Early
Adjournment.


that after a long wrangle over the ques-
ton Of the rights Of various local unions
to representation in the convention. 1t was
decided TO adopt the second report OF the
credentials committee as complete re-
port with the reservation that the COM
mittee continue in session and dispose OF
individual claims for recognition as they
should arise. The report was made yester-
day afternoon and, aside from this, very
little business was transacted, most of the
time being spent in discussions OF points
of order and constitutional law.
1t was expected to proceed with the cleo
ton Of officers after the reading of the re-
port of the committee on credentials, but
Secretary Pearce said it would be impos-
sible to prepare ballots in time to do any
thing in that line before this morning and
then the meeting came to a standstill. Sew
eral delegates wanted to take up some
other business, but the chair held that the
constitution did not admit of any suspen-
sion of the rules to take UP business out
of its regular order and, after a long dis
cussion of this point, it was moved to adj
journ, because, as one delegate said, the
chair would not allow the taking up of
any other business and it was impossible
to proceed with the regular order.
DELEGATES NOT SEATED.
From discussions on the floor 1t was
learned that the credentials committee had
been unable to seat several delegates be-
cause of noncompliance with the constitu-
tional requirements, as, for instance, sew
eral local unions. which had only been
organized month or two but which had
paid up the required per capita tax were
shut out from representation because the
constitution required that they be or
ganized three months before the conven-
ton. Others which were said to be old
locals. reorganized, had sent delegates I'M
der the impression that by complying with
the rules made for new unions they could
| have representation, w-Ien the constitution
required the per capita tax to be paid
twice as far ahead as in the case Of new
| unions. Several men prominent in the or
| der pleaded for representation for several
Of these locals urging that 1t would do
the cause great good TO allow them repre-
sentation, but President Mitchell decided
that the constitution could not be violated
and that to open up the matter in favor of
few would necessitate opening ii up for
all the other locals that were clamoring for
representation and the examination of the
time from the other business Of the meet
ing.
Several important resolutions were dis
posed of during the day. the principal and
most dangerous one being to allow the
president to call out every mine worker in
the country in cases where the federal
courts incarcerate organizers for address
| ing striking miners, as in the case of Or
gamer John +. Reese, until the court re-
leases the prisoners. Chairman Farley
took pains to state that the committee
considered the resolution a dangerous one
and not In keeping with the principles of
| the order or good citizenship and that If
| the convention adopted 1t, the delegates
would live to regret ii. He said that, while
| the miners were opposed to government
| by injunction" the resolution in question
| was not calculated to meet with any re-
| quirement and the convention Endorsed his
| stand by referring the resolution back to
| the committee for disposition.
| A RESOLUTION ADOPTED.
| Another resolution, to have all contracts
| terminate at the same time, instead of, as
| at present, at any time the local unions
| see fit, was adopted after some discussion
| of contingent features. The reason for this
resolution was said to be that, If all con-
tracts can be made to terminate at the
same time, it will do away with many of
| the small local strikes, now so numerous
/ and annoying.
/ Acting the suggestion of President
| Mitchell, the convention Endorsed the reso-
| luton submitted by the delegates to the
/ American Federation of Labor convention
| In Detroit, to the effect that all miners
/ ought to withdraw from membership i'm
/ the Knights of Labor, because of the stand
taken by that body with reference to the
miners strike in the Southwest, where ii
l was said, the knights OF Labor sent mem
bers OF their organization to take the
Il la fna rxynr Caxr
eral delegates called attention TO the fact
that, at the Pittsburg convention last year
the committee on resolutions was unable
i to complete its work because OF the great
/ number Of worthless resolutions Ii had "a
| handle, and suggested that something be
| done to simplify the thing so that the reg
ular and important business might pro-
coed. 1t was suggested that all resolutions
be left to the president. to recommend
| those to be submitted to the convention
| while some suggested that the COMMITTEES
| report only on those II considered favor.
| ably. 1t was finally agreed to submit al
| resolutions to the committee before
| o'clock last night.
Another resolution, providing that al
| miners not on strike should pay the strike
| tax, without exception, was adopted. The
| resolution to incorporate the referen-
dunn vote in the constitution was referred
back to the committee on resolutions, as
was the case last year when it was pre-.
| sented. 1t was urged against IL that II
| could not accomplish anything. and that Il
| was too ambiguous to be of any value.
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE.
The resolution not to recognize any indi.
| vidual contracts was also referred back
to the committee. 1t provided that only
national. state or sub-district contracts
should be recognized, and a long discussion
arose over its provisions. II was explained
that the resolution was primarily intended
to apply to southern Illinois. where it wa.
badly needed. Several delegates wanted L
know IL the resolution was intended t,
mean that all the present local contract:
| would be repudiated. but Chairman Fairle,
said this was not intended, and that the
resolution would not be effective until ell
present contracts had expired. There "a:
a rather mixed sentiment expressed OIL
the resolution. a strong element asserting
that all existing contracts ought to be wiped
out and made subject TO the new genera
contract IT was expected to make with tn,
operators at the joint conference.
| A resolution was adopted against allow
ing operators TO overcrowd mines IL beinl
the sentiment that this tended TO keeJ
miners from securing full days work.
Many times during the meeting one O
the delegates persisted in introducing
motion instructing the president TO sen,
for four union BARRIERS from the neare s
city where there was organization, il
order that the miners might be properl.
| shaved. He said there was no organiza
ton in this city, and the miners either has
| 10 patroniZe nonunion shops or ''let thei
whiskers grow" He was not successful II
| securing consideration for his motion, be
cause he always presented it when othe
motions were pending or other business in