The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-01-30
MORNING SESSION.
The Miners Convention Adopts the
Amended Constitution.

The business before the convention of
the United Mine Workers yesterday was
the adoption of their amended constitution.
The principal amendment, which took up
hours in discussion, was that providing for
the election of national officers by popular
vote. The amendment was finally carried
and next year the officers will be elected by
popular vote. The amendment was pre-
scented at the morning session but was not
adopted until in the afternoon. 1t was
discussed by delegates representing every
district in the coal fields. At first, the
sentiment regarding ii was evenly divided,
but as the discussion advanced the conven-
ton gradually turned in favor of it. The
principal point raised in favor of the
amendment was that it would do away
with lobbying in the convention and elm
mate politics by delegates trading votes for
certain candidates. 1t was also pointed out
ton instructed by their locals to vote
certain way. but after they were in the
convention they were persuaded to change
their votes or traded them, so that they
did not vote as instructed. When the ques-
ton was put, President Mitchell was un-
able to decide and called for a rising vote.
II SeefISd DIS III lWO-InlrQS OF the delegates
were in favor of il. but a count was taken
which resulted in sos being i'm its favor and
1SS against il. Then a request was made
for roll call of the delegates In the after
noon, however, this was dispensed with
and 1t was finally settled by adopting a
motion submitted by Delegate Ryan that IL
be the sense of the convention that the
national officers be elected by popular vote
AMENDMENT LOST.
An amendment to exempt members over
rfx a,,o
payment of per capita tax was lost. An
amendment calculated to reduce the repre-
sentation in the national convention was
defeated after long and spirited debate
Another amendment concerning represen-
tation that caused considerable argument
was which provided that representa-
ton to the convention should be based
upon the membership OF the locals for the
year and not for three months, as pro-
vided in the old constitution, and that the
representation Of new locals be based upon
the average membership from the date of
organization. The amendment was lost and
the old representation upon three months
membership was re-established.
An amendment that was adopted provides
for transfer cards between the miners
unions of this and other countries An
amendment providing that when a member
desires to leave a mine and secure employ
ment in another. he shall make applica-
ten days after securing employment and
comply with other technical qualifications
was offered. Delegate Reese moved TO
leave the mater of jurisdiction over miners
to the districts in which they are en-
ployed, the sense of his motion being to
place all miners employed in a mine under
the jurisdiction of a member of the local
union having jurisdiction over that mine
The amendment was stricken out after a
long debate.
There was considerable discussion over an
amendment requiring members accepting
positions as superintendent or nine fore
men to be provided with withdrawal cards
and that within one year il shall entitIe the
holder TO full membership in the union
After one year he shall pay One-fourth of
the iniation fee and after two years half
of the initiation fee. Several amendments
were made, but the section was finally ia
bled.
SUSPENSION OF WORK
An amendment providing that when a
district is idle. and it is to the best inter
ests of the mine workers, the national Of
ficers shall have power to order a suspen-
sion of work in adjoining districts carried
without discussion.
Delegate Ryan offered an amendment TO
provide that the auditors, when candidates
for reelection or for other Offices. shall not
act tellers in counting the vote of the
organization There was much discussion
over the proposition and Ryan finally with
drew it after Delegate Reese made a speech
in which he said IL was deplorable that the
miners should not have enough confidence
i'm their officers, and that If such was the
case. he said. "the Lord help us and call in
the Salvation Army. Ryan then took the
floor and said IL was not his intention to
SANDER any of the officers and asked TO
withdraw his motion.
An important change was made in the
constitution which provides that amend
ments may be made by majority vote OF
the convention instead OF a two-thirds as
provided in the old constitution The new
provision Of the constitution carried which
provides that all lOeal unions shall take
the United Mine Workers Journal and that
the secretaries shall read all important
news contained therein at the local meet
ings That was the last amendment to the
constitution, but IL was not adopted as a
whole on account Of several matters being
referred TO the committee 10 arrange and
place in proper construction certain amend
ments.
The convention suspended rules TO allow
the report of the committee 10 be finished
before adjournment motion was then
made and carried 10 hold night session i'm
order 20 finish business and hold the pre-