The Scranton chronicle. (Scranton, Miss.) 1897-19??, 1902-10-25
MINERS IN CONVENTION.
They Convene at Wilkesbarre TO Ao-
cept or Reject the Proposition
to Return TO Work.
LITTLE FEAR BUT MINERS WILL RETURN.

Proposition VIII secure 10 Mine
workers Greater Degree of Jns-
sice Than they Have Enjoyed in
Past"
Nilkesbarre. Pa. Oct. so.-Ahout
700 delegates of the United Mine
Workers of America, from the hard
coal mining district of Pennsylvania
met in the Neshit theater, Monday, to
net on the proposition to settle the
long strike by arbitration.
The convention WIS called by Pres
ident Mitchell under the rules of the
union. To vote on the plan which he
laid before IL.
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 l62 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: "Nell, what do you
think of the situation now2"
"Oh. we are here To finish 1t, and !
guess we will.
Every delegate whose opinion wns
sought felt that the convention would
do whatever their national leader adj
vised.
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
triets as his assistants. He was of
the opinion that the convention would
end Tuesday, and that the men viii
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 we're not
thrown open until the clock struck
that hour. II did not take the assem-
blcd delegates long ~ FIJI the place.
The first of the prominent miners
officials TO enter the hall were Ma
tional lsecretary-Treasurer Wilson and
! District President d. r. Nichols. of
Scranton. They were greeted with
much applause. Mr.. 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.. Wilson.
As is customary In conventions of
the mine workers, the district secre-
taries acted as the committee on ere
dentials. These secretaries had nj
ready completed their work, and
when called upon by Chairamn Mich
oils, after the convention call had
been read, their reports were made.
John r. Dempsey, of District No. /,
read his report first. He was fol-
lowed by Secretaries John Gallagher
and George Hartlein. The three re-
ports showed total of 036 delegates.
The toal will probably be increased
after all the credentials are received.
While these reports were being pre-
seDted, "A report was received that
President Mitchell would not come
TO the hall from strike headquarters
until after the convention had perma-
nently organized.
1t wns 1905 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,
a motion was made to adjourn until
2 p. m. Before the motion was put,
II was suggested that the delegates
be entertained by songs. This was
adopted, and for a brief time the big
convention was turned into a social
meeting.
"GIyE THREE CHEERS FOR
MITCHELL, and FOR THE STRIKE
THAT WE HAVE WON" was sung
by a Wilkesbarre delegate, and it
swept the convention with enthusi-
asin.
At Hap the convention adjourned
until 2 p. IN.
IA Wilkesbarre paper, having yio-
lated confidence and published Presi-
dent Mitchell's address before deliy.
cry, other newspapers throughout the
country who received advance copies
werenoti6ed that the address was s.re-
leased"-that it could be published in
advance. Editor.l
President sIitchelrs Address.
Gentlemen--In opening this convention
Tor the traneaction Of business / take
pleasure IN extending warm greeting and
welcome TO the accredited representatives,
OF the 10000 men ana boys whose heroic
struggle for living wages and American
conditions Of employment has won the ad-
IniTation Of the whole ctviiized world.
Language is Inadequate 10 express the
sense Of pride / feel IN you and those you
represent. Your noble defense OF the
principles OF unionism endeArs you 10 every
man and every woman in our land who
works for livelihood When the history
Of the struggles Of toiiers shall be written
fits pages viii record no event more ifn-
! portant no principle more ably defended,
no battle more brayely fought than tho
contest which / earnestly hope IL now
about to be happily ended.
II istnOt my purpose TO review the prog
ress Of the strike, or even TO enumerate
/ the important events which have now
| passed into history. Imprinted iDdeflbiy
] on the hearts Of our people are. the mem.
I cries of suffering and hard1nlps wnic1
I Have been and are being endured. 0r nfe
long months the eyes of the nauon nnys
been cenfered upon your actions ana y y
4 haf =