Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-21
IN CONVENTION.
Miners Meet to Decide on
Settling the Strike.
Pres. MitcheI's Address Favorabl)
Received and Loudly AppIauded.
Committee on Resolutions Appointed
Adjourned Until Today.

Wilkesharre. Pa, Oct. 20.-About 100
delegates of the United Mine Workers
of America from the hard coal districts
of Pennsylvania met in the Nesbit
theatre, today, to act on the proposal
to settle the long strike by arbitration.
The convention was called by President
Mitchell under the rules of the union
to vote on the plan which he laid be-
fore it and later, explained fully in a
lengthy address.
District President Nichols called the
convention to order at 1920 O'Clock and
ordered that the call for the convention
be read. This was done by Mr.. VIII
son.
AS is customary in conventions of the
mine workers, the district secretaries
acted as the committee on credentials.
These secretaries had already COM
pleted their work and when called up
on by Chairman Nichols after the con-
vention call had been read. their re-
ports were made. John r. Dempsey of
District No. read his report first.
He was followed by Secretaries John
Gallagher and John Harlem. The
three reports showed a total of &C.
1t was 11.O5 o'clock when the reading
of the reports was concluded and as the
business of the convention cannot go
on until the committee on credentials
makes a final report a motion was
made to adjourn until p. NJ. Before
the motion was put it was suggested
that the delegates be entertained BY
songs. This was adopted and for Il
brief time the big convention was
turned into social meeting.
give three cheers for Mitchell. for
the strike that we have WON was sung
by Will<esbarre delegate and it swept
the convention with enthusiasm.
The only colored delegate present was
called on for n song and speech and he
responded with typical Southern negro
song. For a while longer the singing
was kept up, the men calling for songs
from one another. principally the Welsh
men. who have regulations as singers.
At 11.42 the convention adjourned until .
0 clock this afternoon
Mitchell and Wilson Were elected presi-
dent and secretary respectively.
President Mitchell reached the theatre
at 80, shortly after his election as pres
dent He was received with great cheer
ing.
President Mitchell began his opening
speech at 249 r. NJ He said:
Gentlemen:-In opening this convention
for the transaction of business | take
pleasure in extending warm greeting and
welcome to the accredited representatives
OF tho 155G1 men and boys whose heroic
struggle for living wages and American
conditions of employment has won the
admiration of the whole civilized world
Language is inadequate to express the
sense of pride | feel in YOU and those
you represent. Your noble defence of the
principles of unionism endears you to ev-
cry man and every woman in our land
who works for a livelihood. When the
history of the struggles of toilers shall
be written, its pages will record no event
more important. no principle more ably
defended. no battle more bravely fought
than the contest which | earnestly hope
is now about To he happily ended.
1t is not my purpose to review the pro-
gress of the strike or even to enumerate
the important events which have now
passed INFO history. Imprinted indeliblv
upon the hearts of our people are the
memories of the sufferings and hardsh,ps
which have been and are being endured.
For five long months the eyes of the ma
ton have been centered upon your ac-
lions and ii is Il pleasure to say that the
great heart of the American people
throbbed in sympathy with YOU. I; Is
of course Il source OF deep regret that
the millions OF unuerDaid WDTkmen in
our great cities should be the most acute
sufferers by reason of this contest be-
tween ourselves and our employers. But
strange as it may appear. hundreds upon
hundreds of those who suffered mucn
from lack Of fuel send words Of com
menGation and encoura cement to us and
in man.' instances declared that they
would endure any priyation in order that
the miners and their families might Sc
cure q sufficient wage to enable them 70
enjoy a little happiness and sunshine in
stead of the gloom and sadness which
has been their lot for many years.
The debt of gratitude we ow,. orr fell
workers in this and other lands the
debt of gratitude we owe a generous pub
lie and friendly press who nave sup
ported and sustained us during this MEM
ordblc strike, can never be Adequately
repaid.
70; our opponents we entertain ne feel
ing of malice. While they have maligned
our characters. impugned our motives
and sought the victory by methods
which we would scorn to use, yet on this
day when We secured an avenue of re-
dress. on this day when the realization,
of our hopes and ambitions seems near.
when the prospect of brighter and hap
pier future seems assured. we should hold
out to them the hand of friendship and
ask them to join us in providing for such
business relations as shall for ali time
Continued on page So