The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-01-10
DIR. WHALEN SURPRISED.
United Mine Workers Present Him
with Two Handsome Gifts.

A committee representing the Uni
ted Mine Workers of America of Car
hondale and vicinity waited on Rev.
II. J. Whalen, ID. D., last evening
and in behalf of their colleagues pre-
scented the reverend gentleman with
Il handsome gold headed cane and
beautiful coal paper weight. DIR.
Whalen during the recent strike up
held the stand of the men and on sew
cral occasions delivered eloquent ad-
dresses in their behalf. The members
of the several local unions decided to
give him some small tokens OF the
high esteem in which they regard him
and delegates from each of the rari-
otis unions composed the committee
which waited on the reverend gentle
man last evening. They gathered in
a body at the municipal building and
at $50 marched in a body to the
Baptist parsonage, accompanied by
Miss Lillian Collins. daughter of Henry
Collins, the organizer who made the
presentation address.
DR.. Whalen received the minars
with the greatest cordiality, although
at a loss to know the object of their
visit. After a few general remarks,
Mr. Collins arose and expressed the
committees qualification at being so
heartily welcomed. AS a rule, he said,
miners committees were used to being
shown the door, He then introduced
his daughter.
Miss Collins had a neatly worded
address of presentation, which she
delivered in a manner most creditable
to herself. and in which she fully eX-
pressed the continents of the commit
tee. She stated that although the
miner is generally considered as a
rough, unrefned man. he is as quick to
appreciate the sympathy and good
Will OF his fellows as is any one. The
dangers of his vocation force upon him
a realization of his dependence on his
fellow men. While this class of men
stand ever ready to extend a help
ing hand to each other, they may not
expect the same kindly feeling from
those above them in social life.
The workman and his employer are
not bound in the same kindred ties
which they should be and the prin-
ciples of the church and nation are
little practiced in the dealings be-
tween them. The young lady spoke of
the many inequalities existing and
said that while many professional and
business men admit of the justness
OF the cries of oppressed labor few
had the courage to live up to their
convictions. The speaker told OF the
objects of the miners union and
touched upon the circumstances lead
Ing up TO the recent strike.
She told how few business and pro-
fessional men essayed the cause of
the strikers. Then she spoke of the
noble and outspOken stand taken by
DIR. Whalen and how much encourage
ment 1t gave the men, and of their
heartfelt gratitude to him. Since that
time, she said united labor has rec
ognized in DR.. Whalen friend. She
then produced the gift and asked
him not to look upon their intrinsic
value but to look upon them merely
as slight tokens of the feeling held
by the mine workers for him.
Dr. Whalen was taken completely by
surprise and could not respond for sew
eral minutes. He asked the committee
to believe that his words could not en-
press the sincere gratitude which he
experienced from their kindness to him
and assured them that his sympathy
for united labor is as strong today as
IT was that memorable day on Sandy's
field. He said that no man rejoced
more at the signal victory of the min
ers In their recent struggle than he
did. lie said that in taking the course
he had pursued he had considered II
only his plain duty and had not eX-
pectcd any such material reward as
this. His opinions We're beyond price.
he said, and that he believed the min
listers of the church should be the first
to lend helping hand toward the well
fare and common good of the masses.
He saw in the recent success a link in
the chain of great achievements.
He said he feared his friends had
over-estimated the value of his support
but he assured them that he meant
to give them his best. He compli-
mented Miss Collins upon her address
and thanked her for the many kind
words she said for him and assured the
committee that they would ever find a
warm welcome to his home
Following the presentation the COM
mittee'- enjoyed delightful social
hours, Mrs, Whaen adding greatly to
TIN enjoyment by rendering several
beautiful vocal selections. Miss Col
Inns also recited poem in a very ef-
. fectirs~ manner, The committee de-
parted, vocing their great feeling OF
Rra titude to DR.. Whalen, to which he
heartily responded.