The Monticellonian., 1902-10-23
MINERS IN CONVENTION.
They Convene at Wilkesbarre to Ac- cept or Reject the Proposition
 to Return to Work.
LITTLE FEAR BUT MINERS WILL RETURN.
Prs dent Mitchell Says; "I Believe the Prompt Acceptance of This Proposition Will Secure to Mine Workers n Greater Degree of Jus flee Thnn They Have Enjoyed in Past

Nilkesbarre. Pa, Oct. 21.-About TOO delegates of the United Mine Workers of America, from the hard coal mining district of Pennsylvania, met in the Nesbit theater, Monday, to act on the proposition to settle the long strike by arbitration.
 The convention was called by Pres ident Mitchell, under the rules of the union, to vote on the plan which he laid before it.
 Previous to the assembling of the convention, there were busy scenes at strike headquarters in the Hart hotel. from where the miners battle has been directed since the strike was called 162 days ago. The dele gates were in the best of humor as they loitered about the hotel lobby. The feeling of the men was evidenced in a brief conversation overheard when delegates from distant points met. Said one: Well, what do you think of the situation now2"
 "Oh. we are here to finish it, and guess we will"
 Every delegate whose opinion was sought felt that the convention would dc whatever their national leader ad- yised.
 Among the late arrivals at the con- vention hall was National Secretary Treasurer W. B. Wilson, selected to be the secretary of the convention, with the secretaries of the three dis tricts as his assistants. He was of the opinion that the convention would end Tuesday. and that the men will return to work on Thursday.
 Although the time set for the meet ing of the convention was ten o'clock, the doors of the theater were not thrown open until the clock struck that hour. 1t did not take the assem- bled delegates long to fill the place. The first of the prominent miners officials to enter the hall were Ma tional ecretary-Treasurer Wilson and District President D. T. Nichols, of Scranton. They were greeted with much applause. Mir. Nichols called the convention to order at 0:20 o'clock. and ordered that the call for the convention be read. This was done by Mir. Wilson.
 As is customary in conventions of the mine workers, the district secre- taries acted as the committee on ere dentials. These secretaries had all ready completed their work, and when called upon by Chairamn Nich- oils, after the convention call had been read, their reports were made. John T. Dempsey. of District No. 1. read his report first. He was fol- lowed by Secretaries John Gallagher and George Hartlein. The three re- ports showed total of 636 delegates. The toal will probably be increased after all the credentials are received While these reports were being pre- sented, report was received that President Mitchell would not come to the hall from strike headquarters until after the convention had perma- nently organized.
 It was 11:05 o'clock when the read ing of the reports was concluded, and as the business of the convention could not go on until the committee on credentials made a final report, motion was made to adjourn until p. m. Before the motion was put, 1t was suggested that the delegates be entertained by songs. This was adopted, and for brief time the big convention was turned into social meeting.
 "GINE THREE CHEERS FOR MITCHELL, and FOR THE STRIKE THAT WE HAVE WON" was sung by Wilkesbarre delegate, and it swept the convention with enthusi- asm.
 At 11;42 the convention adjourned until ? p. m.
 IA Nilkesbarre paper, having vio- lated confidence and published Presie dent Mitchell's address before deliv, cry, other newspapers throughout the country who received advance copies werenotified that the address was re leased"-that it could be published in advance. Editor.
 President MitcheITs Address.
 Gentlemen-In opening this convention Tor the transaction of business talxe pleasure in extending warm greeting and welcome to the accredited represent9tivas of the 15O,e00 men and boys whose heroic struggle Tor living wages and American conditions of employment has won the ad mirat1on of the whole civilized world Language Is inadequate to express the sense of pride l feel in you and those vol; represent. Your noble defense of inc principles of unioniSm endears youto every man and every woman in our land who works for livelihood. When the history of the struggles of toilcrs shall be written its pages will record no event more inn portant, no principle more ably defended no battle more bravely fought than the contest which l earnestly hope Is now about to be happily ended
 1t Is not my purpose to review the prog ress of the strike or even to enumerate the important events which have now passed into history. Imprinted indeliblv on the hearts of our people are the mem. ories of suffering and hardships which have been and are being endured For five long months the eyes of the nation have been eentered upon your actions and it Is a pleasure to say that the great heart pathy with you. It is, of course sOURCE OF DEEP REGRET that the millions of underpaid workmen of our great cities should be the most acute sui ferers by reason of this contest between ourselves and our employers. But strange as 1t may appear, hundreds upon hun dreds of those who suffered most from lack of fuel sent words of eommendation and encOura and in many in-