The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-07-19
THE MINERS CONVENTION.

The coal miners convention that has been
occupying public attention for the last two
days has not yet adjourned, but it's action
is practically determined. 1t has been the
most important labor convention ever held,
and could only have been held in coun-
try where the people are versed in the
methods Of voluntary organization, free
discussion and combined action. In these
respects ii has been a typical American
convention, as it has been also in Its gen.
orally dignided conduct and conservative
action.
Next to the business action of the con-
vention it's chief feature was the address OF
President Mitchell. This was admirable in
every respect. In spirit and tone. I'm form
and expression in it's ethics and its recon-
mendations it deserves the highest COM
mendation and shows it's author to be a
labor leader worthy of the name. Nothing
could better illustrate the progress that
organized labor has made in recent years
than a comparison between this address
and the passionate, inhammatory utter
ances of the labor leaders of fifteen or
twenty years ago. And the manner in
which the convention responded to the adj
dress was as admirable as the address
itself. The spirit shown was that of
great organization which knew its rights
and was determined to maintain them by
every legitimate means. and which knew
it's power but would not abuse it, The en-
phatic declaration Of the convention
against general strike, accompanied by
voluntary contribution of an enormous
fund to aid the strikers. showed a clear dis
elimination against violent methods, while
the decided expression in favor of standing
by agreements and contracts showed that,
for the present at least, the miners are fol-
lowing a high standard of honor. The
action of the convention in this regard can
not fail to inure to the advantage of Or
ganized labor. If it had voted for a gen.
eral strike in spite Of contracts there would
have been no more conferences between
operators and miners like that held in this
city in February last. The conference set
for next year would not have been held
Now it will meet under better auspices than
ever before. The operators will have more
respect for the miners and the latter viii
have a stronger claim than ever for the
embodiment OF just demands in a yearly
contract.
Finally, the substantial aid which the
convention has decided to vote to the strik-
ers is indicative at once Of the prosperous
financial condition of the bituminous miners
and of the fine spirit of fraternity that
animates the union. Never in the history
of the world has any organization volun-
tarily assumed so heavy a monetary obli-
cation as the one about to be assumed by
the bituminous coal miners. Few govern
ments would venture to assume so large an
obligation. and no syndicate Of rich men
has ever paid anything like as much for
the advancement of a good cause. In one
month it will amount TO more than twice as
much as the American Board of Foreign
Missions spends in a whole year. When
men who work hard for wages that are
sometimes meager and never large volun-
tarily assess themselves in this way for
the benefit of others it shows a great mo-
tive. Altogether. the convention has made
a record to which its members can point
with pride