A History of the Durham Miner's Association 1870-1904
by John Wilson · English · Gutenberg #48925 · 613,142 chars · public domain (US)
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Title: A History of the Durham Miner's Association 1870-1904
Author: John Wilson
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Language: English
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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A HISTORY OF THE DURHAM MINER'S ASSOCIATION 1870-1904 ***
[Illustration: _Frontispiece_: THE MINERS' HALL, DURHAM]
A HISTORY OF THE
DURHAM MINERS' ASSOCIATION
1870-1904
BY
ALDERMAN JOHN WILSON, J.P.
_Corresponding Secretary to the Association, Chairman of Durham
County Council, and Member of Parliament for
Mid-Durham Division_
"A tale should be judicious, clear, succinct;
The language plain, and incidents well link'd;
Tell not as new what everybody knows,
And, new or old, still hasten to a close."
COWPER.
Durham
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY
J. H. VEITCH & SONS, 24 AND 25 NORTH ROAD
1907
_PRICE THREE SHILLINGS AND SIXPENCE_
To
MY COLLEAGUES THE MINERS OF DURHAM
this outline of their associated history is respectfully dedicated by
one who knows the hardships and dangers of their lives, who
understands their character and esteems it, who has been with them in
their struggles for freedom, equality, and a better life, whose
greatest pride is that from early youth he has been (and still is)
one of them, whose highest honour is that he is trusted by them to
take part in the varied and important duties of their association,
and whose hope is, that avenues of greater good may by their united
and individual efforts be opened out to them.
CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFATORY EXPLANATION xi
THE PREPARATION 1
LAYING THE FOUNDATION 11
REARING THE BUILDING 16
THE LEADERS 37
OPPOSITION TO THE BUILDING 41
HISTORY 46
AFTER WORDS 336
CHANGES 337
IN MEMORIAM 346
AU REVOIR 350
APPENDIX I 355
" II 356
" III 358
INDEX 361
INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS
MINERS' HALL, DURHAM _Frontispiece_
N. WILKINSON _facing page_ 25
T. RAMSEY " 40
J. H. VEITCH " 43
THE FIRST DEPUTATION " 47
W. CRAWFORD, M.P. " 99
W. GOLIGHTLY " 105
J. FORMAN " 123
W. H. PATTERSON " 160
ALDERMAN J. WILSON, M.P. " 182
J. JOHNSON, M.P. " 217
T. H. CANN " 276
ALDERMAN W. HOUSE " 293
ALDERMAN S. GALBRAITH " 305
H. F. HEATH " 337
PREFATORY EXPLANATION
It is necessary that I should set forth the reason why this attempt
has been made to place on record, in a compact form, the rise and
progress of our Association, with the changes which have taken place
in our position. The inception lies in a letter received from one of
our lodges, and addressed to the Executive Committee:
"Seeing that matters of a definite nature relating to the history of
the Trade Union movement in the county of Durham, in its social,
political, and industrial aspects, are difficult to obtain, we would
suggest to our Executive that it would be opportune at this juncture
to ask Mr Wilson, on behalf of the Association, to write a short,
concise history of the movement in the county, giving the social and
industrial changes that have followed its progress, and that the
Executive issue the same free or at cost price to lodges for
distribution amongst the members."
This was considered by the Committee. It met with their approval so
far as the history was concerned, but they, with very generous
feelings, remembered the many things I have on hand. They felt
confident that such a work would be appreciated by our members, but
they were loath to impose more work upon me. Their desire that I
should prepare such a work was expressed in such a kind and
considerate manner--not as a Committee dictating business to its
Secretary--that I could not have refrained from taking the task, even
if it had been irksome; but the request was in harmony with my own
desire, and therefore, if the labour had been more arduous, it would
still have been one of pure love and pleasure.
Yet, although it is pleasant, it is well to recognise a difficulty
which meets us at the start. It arises from the fact that at the
commencement of our Association no records were kept, or, if kept,
have been lost. The first Minutes that can be found commence with
1874, and even the Minutes for the years 1874-1875 are not all in
existence, and some which are, have been mutilated by portions of
them, and circulars, being cut out. In the period referred to we were
in the same position as other similar bodies or nations. At the rise
of these there is always the vague and uncertain period where
tradition plays the part of accurate historical record. In the
struggle for a position there is no time for systematic book-keeping,
or, if books are kept, there is no care in preserving them. This is
borne out fully in our inception and our early existence, and
therefore for facts in relation to our commencement and the first few
years of our existence as a Trades Union body we must depend upon
outside sources wherever such are available. In this some little
assistance will come from "Fynes' History," which, of course, cannot
supply much, as it deals with matters largely anterior to our
commencement. If we turn to the files of newspapers we by diligent and
close search can gather from published reports of meetings and
proceedings of that time useful information. There is another source
of information--viz. the books of the employers.
In respect to this matter I cannot too strongly express my thanks to
the proprietors and editor of _The Durham Chronicle_ for the kind and
ready manner in which they placed at my disposal the whole of the
files of their paper, commencing with 1869, and allowed me to have
them for use in our office. They have very largely helped me to fill
in the hiatus up to 1876. My thanks and yours are due to the employers
and Mr Guthrie for the free access they gave me to their books at any
time and in the fullest manner. They have not only allowed me
facilities for examination, but Mr Guthrie has assisted me in my
search, and has copied out portions which I deemed necessary for our
purpose.
The difficulty has therefore been lessened, and the work lightened by
the help mentioned, but if this had not been so the work would still
have been commenced, as the object lies near my heart, for two
reasons--first, because to me there is no dearer or more attractive
institution in the whole country than our Association. I will not say
it is superior to all others, but I will assert it has none, or not
many equals. From very small beginnings, from very unlikely
conditions, and in the face of bitter and opposing circumstances and
forces, there has been reared not merely a strong Trades Union as
strong as any extant, but one as beneficial as it is strong. The
second reason is the usefulness of the record. If, as Pope says, the
"proper study of mankind is man," then, if on a slightly lower plane,
it must be an important matter for a man to know the history of the
class to which he belongs and of any institution of which he is a
member.
It is useful, too, in showing our young men the condition we have come
from, the toil and anxiety those who were the initiators had to face,
and the large amount of unremunerative labour they had to perform. Our
present position has been bought with a price, the amount of which is
unknown to this generation, many of whom are like the prodigal, who
inheriting a fortune and knowing nothing of the hardships involved in
the accumulation, squanders with indifference that which has cost
bitter years and much hardship.
Let me conclude this preface by saying I offer no plea for inability.
That is too well known, by myself at least. If he is a wise man who
knows his own limits and failings, then I am a very wise man. But one
other thing I know as well: I have a full knowledge of your
toleration, and that you are ready to give full credit for good
intentions. The history shall be the best that I can do, keeping in
view all the circumstances. I remember that we do not want a mere
comment upon our history; that I could make from my experience, but it
might not be accepted as reliable, and therefore what we must aim at
(even if it be tedious) is a matter-of-fact statement, because that is
all we desire.
I fear the history will not be very concise; but that, like all other
words, is relative. If it is not as short as some would desire, it
shall not be verbose. We will waste no words nor use any useless
verbal padding; we will "nothing extenuate nor write down aught in
malice." Each general event shall have its place and mention.
This note may be added, that at the commencement of the Association it
was embracive of all sections of labour in and about the mines. Before
we had been long in existence there was a desire for the formation of
separate organisations, as it was felt that there were certain
peculiarities connected with the other occupations which the miners
could not technically deal with. The first to leave were the
enginemen, then followed the mechanics, and then the cokemen at the
end of 1874. With this notice it will be understood that I deal with
the miners alone, only mentioning the others as they come into play
with us, and especially after the Federation was formed. I propose to
deal with the work with regard to the chronological order of the
events rather more than in symmetrical chapters, and therefore after
we get the Association formed we will take a year or more, just as the
business is great or small, as a definite period.
HISTORY OF DURHAM MINERS' ASSOCIATION
THE PREPARATION
The Association was not a sudden and startling phenomenon, but was a
pure evolution. It was no growth of a day like Jonah's gourd, but it
was the outcome and the harvest of a long, painful sowing-time. In our
Hall we have two busts. These are no doubt looked upon (if noticed at
all) with casual indifference. Few of us regard them as expressions of
important periods in our struggle for Right and Equality, and as part
of the preparatory process, the consummation of which is our grand
Institution, of which we are justly proud, for our history fully
illustrates the sentiment:
"Truth struck to earth will rise again."
It is not my intention to take a long and detailed retrospect, but
just to enumerate a few of the events happening after 1860, all of
which were assisting in clearing the ground, and inciting our
formation and preparing men's minds gradually for, such an
institution. These I will place in chronological order. First, there
was the Mines Act which came into force in July 1861, which amongst
other important provisions provided that no boy should go down the
mine under twelve unless he could produce a certificate that he could
read and write; that boys under twelve should go to school five hours
per day; that minerals should be weighed, and that the workmen should
be at liberty to appoint a checkweighman.
Another of the series was the Hartley calamity on the 16th of January
1862--a calamity which is unique in the history of mining disasters,
which moved the heart of the nation, and turned the minds of men
everywhere to two very important matters--first, the sinking of two
shafts to every mine; and second, to the provision for the relatives
of those who lose their lives, or for the workmen who are injured. And
thus it has ever been: our industry has offered up its human
sacrifices before necessary reforms have been introduced. Death has in
many instances opened the gateway to life and blessing. It is sad, but
yet true.
Then we had two very notable strikes--one at the Brancepeth
Collieries, which is known as the "Rocking Strike." The name arose
from the custom which obtained of setting out the tubs if they were
not level full when they came to bank. In order that this might be
attained the hewer used to walk around the tub and strike it with his
"mell," or rock and shake it so that the jolting on the road out-by
might not lower the coals below the rim of the tub, and thus result in
the forfeiture of the entire contents. This system was enforced even
after the Act of 1861, and in such a glaring manner, that the master's
weighman was paid a commission upon every light tub he found. The
demands of the workmen were payment by weight and an advance in
wages. Those whose memory goes back to that period will remember the
meetings that were held, and especially one not far from Mr Love's
(the owner of the collieries) house, just outside Durham city, then
called Mount Beulah, now by the more earthly name of Springwell Hall.
At that meeting on the platform was a working model of a miner rocking
a tub, and a song composed by a local poet (Mr Cooke of Trimdon
Grange) was sung. Part of the refrain was, as near as I can remember,
as follows:--
"The rocking so shocking long, long we have bore,
Farewell to the rocking, we will rock them no more."
The second strike took place at Wearmouth, and was the real, although
not formal, starting-point of our Union.
This strike commenced about the middle of April 1869, and arose out of
the conditions contained in the "Bond" of that year, which was brought
out as usual in the month of March, when the hewers were told that,
owing to the depressed condition of trade, there would have to be a
considerable reduction in prices. In one instance the score price was
reduced from 7s. to 5s. 10d., and the yard price from 1s. to 8d. There
was no opposition offered at the time, as the men were willing to give
the lower rate a fair trial. Afterwards they found they were not able
to make a fair day's wage. They worked on until the 18th of May, when
after going into the pit they all came out, and held a meeting on the
green, and appointed a deputation of six to wait upon the manager and
Mr Stobart. No concession being made the report was given, when the
men declared it was impossible to maintain their families, and
resolved that they would not resume work until the previous prices
were paid. It is not part of my purpose to enter into all the phases
of the strike, but one thing I will set forth, as it shows the method
adopted to break the ranks of the workmen. The manager of the colliery
was a man well-known in the North of England Coal Trade, Mr R.
Heckles. He, believing there was great power in the beer jug, when the
strike had continued for a fortnight sent six notes for fifty men each
to get a quart of ale per man. These were placed before a meeting of
250 men. "On the offer of the beer being announced the men replied
that the notes were to be sent back, as the day had gone by when the
men were to be bought with beer, but that beef and bread would be
better, and a resolution was carried not to resume work except at last
year's prices."
The breaking of the bond brought the workmen into collision with the
law, and four of them were summoned to appear at the Sunderland Court,
on the 21st of June 1869. They were charged under the Masters and
Servants Act. One of the cases, that of Thomas Fenwick, was taken. The
magistrates were told they could impose a fine of £20, or commit to
prison for three months. The defence was conducted by Mr Roberts, the
"Pitmen's Attorney-General." The Bench decided that the defendant
should give sureties of £20 to return to work, or be committed to
prison for one month. Mr Roberts took objection, and pointed out that
there was no attesting witness to the signing of the contract, and
asked for a case to the Queen's Bench on the point. On that being
raised the case was adjourned for a fortnight.
On the 6th of July the case again came up for hearing. The objection
raised by Mr Roberts was then gone into. It was to the effect that the
defendant was a marksman (that is, made his mark and did not sign his
name), and that the bond was never read over to him. The matter was
contested for a considerable time. Eventually Mr Roberts said he had
"been told by the most influential men among the workmen that they
wanted to be free from the villainous and iniquitous bond, and they
would undertake to leave the houses within nine days." On that promise
being made and accepted by the solicitor for the owners the bond by
mutual consent was cancelled.
The men immediately arranged for vacating the houses and handing in
their lamps. In one instance this was done in a unique and striking
manner. The men formed in procession, over 300 in number, each man
carrying his lamp and a copy of the colliery rules. Marching to the
colliery they handed in their lamps, and returned the rules to the
overman. The effect of the trial was speedily seen in the solidifying
of the whole of the workmen at Wearmouth, as the deputies and others
(while passively remaining from work, had never taken active part in
the strike) now threw themselves into the struggle, and made common
cause with the hewers, and the further effect was the impetus given to
the cause of unionism throughout the county until it consummated in
the Durham Miners' Union.
Another element assisting our formation was the desire for association
which was burning in the breast of a few men whose ardour could not be
damped by repeated failures or retarded by opposition or hardship. The
last of the series of these attempts was in 1863, the meeting being
held in the Victoria Hotel, Newcastle. There were 30 delegates
present--27 from Northumberland, and only 3 from Durham, Whitworth,
Washington, and Usworth, the membership being slightly over 4000. We
are told by Fynes in his history that it was resolved to hold meetings
in Durham "with the view of moving the men of this county to join
them." At the next meeting Mr Crawford was appointed agent and
secretary, with Mr Joseph Sheldon as a colleague. In that capacity the
writer first saw Mr Crawford. He was the principal speaker at a
meeting held on Sherburn Hill. He was on his way from the Leeds
National Conference, and we find by reference to the report of that
meeting that he was Chairman of the Committee on Law. This union of
the two counties continued until the Northumberland men felt that to
them it was like being connected with a body of death, and they
realised that the connection would in the end be fatal, and in 1865
resolved to separate. This resolution was carried into effect, and
county organisations were formed. The two agents were allotted as
follows:--Mr Crawford being kept in Northumberland, and Mr Sheldon
became the agent in Durham. His term of office was very short, as the
Union here very soon died out. At the united meeting, embracing the
two counties, held on November 21st, E. Rhymer was the only delegate,
and he delivered a very characteristic speech, of which the following
is a portion:--
"With respect to the county of Durham he was sorry that they appeared
as a black spot in England respecting the Miners' Association. They
numbered about 1000, but there were only 74 represented at that
meeting. The hours of the men were eight hours working. The average
wage being from 4s. to 4s. 6d. The hours of the boys upon an average
were fourteen per day. The system with respect to the boys was the
most wretched in the civilised world. They never saw the light of the
blessed sun from Sabbath to Sabbath. He had authority to tell them
that the district which he represented begged of them through him to
send help to save them from starvation and misery."
These are very strong words and true, for the state throughout was
deplorable. Here and there small societies existed having no federal
connection, but they were of no earthly use. They only showed in
darker colours the disorganisation which had set in. To use Milton's
illustration, they made the darkness more visible. Still, there were
some brave spirits who not only deplored the condition, but, as Fynes
says, "set themselves the almost Herculean task of revising the Union
and substituting harmony for the discord which then prevailed." For
that purpose meetings were held in various parts of the county. The
speakers who attended them ofttimes found themselves sleeping in a
room whose walls were the horizon and the roof studded with the stars
of heaven. Prominent we find the names of W. Crake and J. Richardson
(two men who were sacrificed as the result of the Wearmouth strike),
W. Patterson, T. Ramsey, and N. Wilkinson. Not only were there local
men at these meetings, but strangers were sent from other districts,
seeking to infuse new life into the apathetical and indifferent men of
Durham. The most notable of these meetings was held at Thornley on
Saturday, the 25th of September 1869. Amongst the speeches delivered I
find two given at great length in _The Durham Chronicle_ of the 1st of
October by Mr T. Burt and Mr W. Brown, who was then residing in
Yorkshire, but who afterwards became the agent for the North
Staffordshire miners. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Patterson (our
Patterson), and there were about 1000 men in attendance. If it were
convenient I would place on record in this history those speeches in
full, as they were worthy of the men and the occasion. One or two
sentences may be quoted from Mr Burt's speech. He urged that "there
were many reasons why men should be united: wages, better conditions,
and safety at work." Their wages were not so high as they ought to be,
neither was their social condition what it might have been, and he
would candidly confess that the miners themselves were most to blame
that such was the state of affairs. Had they worked together and
exercised confidence where they displayed little else but petty
jealousy, had they not spent their money for naught, their position
might have been different that day. If proof were needed let them look
at other classes and districts. "If the miners of the county of Durham
compared their condition with any of the great combined bodies of
English workmen they would at once see how different their position
might have been had they been united. If they compared non-Union
districts with Union districts they would contrast the rate of wages
paid in Lancashire, Wales, Yorkshire, and Northumberland; and they
would see a striking example of the effects of Union and non-Union."
These remarks suggest a curious contrast between our relative position
compared with other districts now and then, and the comparison proves
the force and wisdom of Mr Burt's exhortation.
In this connection I find a letter from Mr Crawford bearing on the
same subject, and published in _The Durham Chronicle_ of the 15th of
October 1869, which I insert in full.
Sir,--Seeing that the Durham miners are again trying to form amongst
themselves an organisation for mutual protection, you will perhaps
allow me to say a few words, having had some experience in connection
with their last one some six years ago. Many of your readers will
remember the strenuous efforts then made to organise the whole
county, and at least the partial success which attended that
undertaking. A great portion of the county did become united, and at
one time promised satisfactory success. But those who expected such
an accomplishment were doomed to be disappointed. After a short time
the whole fabric collapsed, and miners were again subjected to all
those difficulties and impositions which necessarily follow in the
train of disorganisation. Since that time my mind has often been
occupied in trying to ascertain the cause or causes of that
disastrous downfall, and I have long since concluded that the
following were the main if not the only causes which led to such a
direful result:--
1st. Yearly hirings. For years before the Union began, these had
existed in the county, and their baneful effects had been to reduce
the wages of the miners from fifteen to thirty per cent. The coal was
no better to get, and its market value ranged about the same. What,
then, was the cause of men being reduced in some instances from 13s.
6d. to 9s. per score? It may be truly attributed to disorganisation
and yearly hirings. When the Union began these still continued, and
hence the impossibility of men gradually recovering that which they
had lost. These yearly hirings had brought the county to the lowest
possible social condition, and when brought, kept it there, rendering
organisation difficult, and when attained making its continuance more
difficult still. They have been the curse, the withering blighting
curse, of thousands of miners in that county.
Again, the county is too wide and extensive for one association. To
make the work not only practical, but effective, it ought to be
divided into three, or perhaps four separate districts. These
districts ought to be thoroughly independent of each other; not only
doing their own business, but being self-supporting. Of course, in
many instances, one district would find its interests best furthered
by rendering assistance to a neighbouring one. In such cases let
relief be unsparingly given. The more mutual support and sympathy
there existed between the districts, the greater the chance of
permanent success. Yet, in their working, collecting, and
distribution of their finances, let an entire separation exist. We
have not space to go fully into this matter here; but if the past
will prove anything, it will prove what I have just said. And, if an
instance is wanted, it will be found in the two _distinct_, but
_successful_ associations, which for years have existed in Yorkshire.
Other causes operated to make short the existence of the last
organisation; but these were unquestionably the main ones, and
ought, therefore, to be avoided this time, especially the latter,
that power being now with themselves, to put into immediate effect,
while the former must be a work of time, at least for a few months.
The present condition of the Durham miners calls aloud for a change,
and the power to effect that change is with themselves. Let them
bestir, set to work in right earnest, and if that work be
characterised by prudence and determination, I doubt not but that
ultimate and entire success will crown their efforts.
WILLIAM CRAWFORD.
Bedlington, Northumberland,
_October 11th, 1869._
LAYING THE FOUNDATION
Currently with these meetings arising out of the Wearmouth strike, and
the other matters mentioned, the young Union was gathering strength.
Delegate meetings were being held, the machinery of the Association
was taking shape, and the constitution outlined. The first of these
was held on Saturday the 3rd of July 1869, the chairman being Mr J.
Richardson of Wearmouth. In his opening remarks he said: "They had met
not as delegates of an organised body of miners, but as
representatives of collieries not yet united, to devise means whereby
an organisation could be established throughout the county of Durham."
No attempt was made to transact any business, but a number of
addresses were delivered. The speakers were Mr Lynney of Wearmouth, Mr
B. Irving and Mr Scranghann of Houghton, Mr Noull, Windy Nook, and Mr
G. Parker of Spennymoor. All spoke of the deplorable condition of the
county, and expressed their firm belief that nothing but union would
bring about an amelioration.
The next meeting was held in the Market Hotel, Durham. I again quote
from _The Durham Chronicle_ report:
At the hour named there was only a limited attendance of delegates
and, no others coming up as time passed on, no business was done, and
the delegates present merely contented themselves with discussing the
project of a county Union, to which the delegates from Thornley and
Houghton stated the men in their respective districts gave perfect
accordance, uniting with the Union in both cases the scheme of a
benefit society. Mr Richardson of Wearmouth thought they ought to
form their Union first, and leave the question of benefit and
emigration societies in connection with it to a future time. A
resolution that Wearmouth, Thornley, and Houghton form the nucleus of
an organisation or union among the miners of the county, and that a
paid agent be appointed to explain to the men the aim, object, and
principles of the proposed association, was then passed. The
following is the district set out for the lecturer to visit:--Ryhope,
Seaton (and Seaham), Hetton, South Hetton, Haswell, Shotton, Castle
Eden, Wingate, Trimdon, Fire Houses (Trimdon Grange), and Thornley.
The agitation of the proposed organisation to be directed against the
yearly bond.
The next account available is that of a meeting held at the half-way
house near Thornley on the 23rd of September. It was held in
connection with the demonstration referred to above, at which Mr Burt
and Mr Brown spoke. The following are the names of the delegates who
answered the roll, with the collieries represented:--
W. Crake, Wearmouth.
H. Robson, Ryhope.
W. H. Patterson, Heworth.
T. Ramsey, Trimdon.
J. Wylde, Quarrington Hill.
E. Furneval, Felling.
R. Bousfield, Houghton.
J. Colledge, Murton.
A. Cairns, Thornley.
N. Wilkinson, Trimdon Grange.
C. Flynn, Shiny Row.
C. Nicholson, Seaham.
This meeting was the most ambitious of any held, as a properly
arranged business programme was before the delegates. The items
discussed were the wages and expenses of the agent. The point
discussed was not merely the amount per week, but whether he should be
charged for stamps and all cost of correspondence. The meeting was
equally divided, when the question was remitted to the lodges.
Next came the "Formation of a Central Fund." In this matter there was
great fear as to the permanency of the movement. The predominant
feeling was that it was better to wait until the roll of members
reached a few thousands. Mr Patterson was among those who hesitated,
and expressed himself in the following terms:--
"They had several times tried to form a Union, but had failed, the men
appearing somehow to have little confidence in them." The Wearmouth
delegate was more optimistic. He did not think it was necessary that
they should have 5000 members before the fund was formed. Mr Patterson
had hinted the Union might fail, but there was not the least fear in
his mind that such would be the case. Following these came the persons
to attend the delegate meetings (whether strangers should be
admitted), the pay for attending (this was fixed at 6s. 6d. and
third-class fare), the appointment of a committee to draw up rules,
the adoption of a "Pass Card" as a guarantee of membership, the
collieries for the agent to visit, and the appointment of an Agent,
Secretary, and Treasurer. These offices were filled as follows:--Mr J.
Richardson, Agent for three weeks; Mr Isaac Parks, Secretary; and Mr
N. Wilkinson, Treasurer for three months.
The next meeting was held on Saturday, 20th November. It is important
that we should note this meeting, as it was the real beginning of the
Association. The following is the full report from _The Durham
Chronicle_:--
DURHAM MINERS' MUTUAL ASSOCIATION
"A meeting of the delegates of this Association was held in the
Market Hotel in this city on Saturday, when the delegates present
represented 4328 members. The following resolutions were passed:--(1)
Resolved that Stanley be exempted from paying any contributions this
day. (2) That all members receive rules free. (3) That each delegate
speak in rotation as on the list, and not to speak more than five
minutes each time. (4) The following were appointed trustees:--Alan
Murray, W. Crake, Isaac Parks, W. Patterson, R. Carr, W. Wilson,
John Armstrong, and T. Noble. (5) That each delegate have one vote.
(6) That Mr John Richardson be Agent and Secretary, and be paid 32s.
per week, and allowed third-class railway fare when on the business
of the Association when such business calls him more than four miles
from his residence, the delegates to decide his place of residence.
(7) That the delegates should manage the business at present, and
that in future a president should be chosen at each meeting of
delegates who shall have a casting vote. (8) That each delegate be
prepared with security for the person proposed by his district for
the office of treasurer. (9) That all suggestions be sent in at least
seven days before the meeting. (10) That the miners of the county of
Durham have their attention called to the objects contemplated by the
Association by hand-bills, and that 500 be printed. (11) That the
agent go into the Crook and Spennymoor districts and explain the
advantages of the society."
Here we have the Union for the whole county fairly established on a
weak foundation. Sufficient to dishearten, looking from our present
proud position, but it must be remembered that there were giants in
those days--brave, hopeful men, who were not to be turned from their
purpose by any hindrance. They felt that united effort was the breath
of our life, and they kept their eyes on that goal. A united Durham
was their battle-cry and inspiration. If there had been any
possibility of diverting them, the next meeting, which was held on
18th December 1869, was sufficient. That meeting was held again in the
Market Hotel. There were delegates from only 19 collieries,
representing 1964½ members. The outlay for the previous fortnight
was £8, 11s. 5d., and there was a saving of £50, 11s. 1½d. Mr N.
Wilkinson was appointed treasurer. Rules were submitted from various
collieries. The agent was instructed to visit the Derwent District,
and a very wise provision was made that no suggestion should be put on
the programme that infringed the general rules. It was a little
anticipatory, seeing the rules were not formed, but those men knew
well that without order and law it was impossible to have any useful
progress. Later experience proves the wisdom of their provision.
REARING THE BUILDING
The end of 1869 saw the foundation of the structure laid. The
beginning of 1870 found the builders hard at work raising it. The
first move made was to hold fortnightly delegate meetings. These
appear to have been of the nature of Committee and Council Meetings
combined, and were usually held in the Market Hotel, Durham. The first
in the year was held on Saturday, 1st January. The first business,
even in this early stage, was to deal with that permanent disease of
Trades Unionism, the unfinancial member; for from the origin of things
there have been men who were ready to take all and give nothing.
Various schemes were suggested for dealing with such people, many of
which were crude, but in the end the means most favoured by the
delegates was analogous to, but somewhat more drastic than, the rule
at present in operation for compelling members to keep themselves
straight on the books. The other questions dealt with were the
proposed formation of a sick fund, with sundry minor or local matters.
Passing over the meeting held on January 15th, except to note that the
number of men represented was 2500, and the fortnightly contributions
amounted to £48, 18s. 1½d., we come to an important one held on the
29th. The numbers in union were the same as a fortnight before. The
meeting was important, because it is the first time we find the yearly
bond as part of the business of the council. There was a very lengthy
discussion upon, or rather expression of condemnation of, the bond.
The most noteworthy portion of the proceedings was a letter from Mr A.
Macdonald, as President of the Miners' National Association. The
letter is worthy of note, because it is the first recorded instance of
his official connection with Durham, and because of its opposition to
the system of yearly bindings. He was desirous to ascertain what were
the views of the miners in the county upon it. The Government were
pledged to bring in a Mines Regulation Bill during the next session of
Parliament, and it was necessary that their views should be expressed
with a view to insert a clause in the new Bill to provide for
fortnightly or monthly agreements. In Mr Macdonald's opinion, as in
that of other leading gentlemen connected with the organised coal
districts in Great Britain, it was useless to attempt to better the
condition of the miners in Durham so long as that system existed.
The unanimous agreement of the meeting upon the subject was "that Mr
Macdonald should be informed that the miners of the county of Durham
considered the bond to be a great evil, and would hail with the
greatest gratification any legislative enactment providing for its
abolition."
At the meeting held on 12th February a much more satisfactory report
was presented. The membership had increased to 3537½, and the
contributions to £80, 4s. 8d. There had been a deposit of £70, making
the banking account £288. In addition to this large increase in funds
and numbers encouraging reports were given by the delegates as to the
requests which were made from unorganised collieries for someone to
attend to assist in inducing the men to join. In connection with this
desire there came a question from Mr Macdonald and Mr Burt asking
whether the young Association would take an active part in arranging
for meetings, passing of resolutions, and getting up petitions in
furtherance of the Mines Bill about to be introduced into Parliament.
These gentlemen were extremely desirous that a series of meetings
should be held, and they were willing to attend them if arranged. The
result of the request was an agreement to hold three meetings at
Sunderland, Bishop Auckland, and Durham, and the appointment of a
committee to make the necessary arrangements.
At this meeting we have the first mention of an entrance fee, which
was to be 6d. for a month, the payment of delegates out of the local
funds, the attendance of trustees at every delegate meeting, and the
most important appointment of President and Executive Committee. The
custom had been to appoint a president from each delegate meeting _pro
tem_., but now it was deemed advisable to elect for a longer period.
The appointments were as follows:--
_President_
W. Crake, Monkwearmouth.
_Committee_
Christopher Nicholson, Seaham.
Isaac Parks, Trimdon.
Martin Thompson, Murton.
John Jackson, Thornley.
Mr Allonby, South Hetton.
W. H. Patterson, Heworth.
W. Anderson, Murton.
These with the treasurer formed the committee. It was further arranged
that the delegate meetings should be held once a month, and that the
contributions be forwarded fortnightly to the general treasurer.
As a result of the arrangements for holding mass meetings in the
county, two were held: on the 25th of February at Bishop Auckland, and
on the 26th at Sunderland. These were addressed by Messrs Burt and
Macdonald. Both meetings were very well attended; the object was to
discuss the proposed new Mines Bill. Strong speeches were made against
it. "It was too narrow in its application. It would permit a boy to be
employed for 14 hours in the mine, and he would have to work a length
of time equal to 62 days in the year, more than the child in the
factory. There was a deficiency with regard to weighing. That they
demanded should be remedied, because the system of measuring and
gauging simply meant robbery and double robbery. In some districts the
arithmetical tables had been altered to make a ton equal to 25 and
even 28 cwt. Then there was a great need for more inspectors and for
properly trained managers, for the absence of competent men had been a
fruitful source of colliery accidents. Deputies and overlookers were
not chosen, as they all knew, because of their excellence and skill,
or their high moral qualities, but more because they were sycophants
and tyrants in the hands of those who owned the mines."
There came a powerful appeal from Mr Burt on behalf of the Union.
"Every great movement in the world was carried on by combined efforts.
Single individuals had never been able to accomplish much. In all
parts of the world one heard the declaration made that workmen were
doing too much work, and receiving too little remuneration, and it
needed but the organisation of this great army to gain for themselves
justice. If they joined that army they would have education,
temperance, prudence, and virtue rising up in the place of moral
degradation; happiness in the place of misery; and comfort in every
home where wretchedness now only prevailed."
At the monthly meeting held on the 12th of March 1870 there were
delegates from 28 collieries, with a membership of 3650, being an
increase for the month of over 100. The monthly income was £138, 17s.
3d. Of that sum £57 was paid for collecting the signatures for the
petition to Parliament _re_ the Mines Bill, and a balance of £70 was
added to the banking account. Two petitions were in evidence, one
being 35 and the other 36 yards long--the cost in the former case
being over £12, and in the latter over £4. A deputation attended this
meeting from Yorkshire soliciting subscriptions for a colliery on
strike in that county. In response to the appeal £10 was sent, so that
very early in its history the young society was learning the luxury
that comes from doing good to your neighbour--a lesson it has not
forgotten in its older and stronger days. The next monthly meeting was
held on the 9th of April. There was a sad falling off in the
membership represented. The chairman was able to "congratulate the
meeting on the fact that the bindings had passed off so
satisfactorily, and that a slight increase in price had been secured."
There were only 25 collieries represented, with a membership of 2898.
The variation in the number of delegates may be accounted for by the
system of paying the delegates, it being borne by the lodges, and not
as at present. A complaint was made by the delegates in regard to the
dismissal of men at the late bindings. It was said that there were 30
at Trimdon Grange who had been treated in that manner. The owners had
shifted 16 of them, but a claim was made for removal allowance from
the Union at the rate of 5s. for the first mile and 1s. per mile
afterwards.
The meeting held on the 23rd of April had a very full programme of
business. The county was called upon to deal with another serious
strike at Wearmouth, and the support of the men severely taxed the
energies of the Union. A great deal depended upon the result of that
contest. The business part of the meeting, apart from Wearmouth, was
the appointment of a secretary and extra agents. The points under
consideration were the number to be appointed, whether they should be
in districts or be centralised, and what should be the salary. The
decision was there should be two agents, and the salary 27s. 6d. per
week, with house and firing. With respect to the secretary, it was
resolved to appoint one--the choice in this, as in the agents, being
left to a subsequent meeting.
On the 7th of May a full detailed list of the collieries and members
was given, which it may be interesting to set forth.
Number of
Name of Colliery Members Income for Month
Trimdon 165½ £8 5 6
Trimdon Grange 64½ 3 4 6
Shiney Row 62 3 2 0
Philadelphia 40 2 0 0
Murton 342½ 17 4 6
Ludworth 32 0 16 0
South Hetton 90 3 18 0
Whitworth 107 5 7 0
Addison 120 5 12 0
Norwood 33 1 11 0
Evenwood 63 2 1 0
Shildon Lodge 41 2 1 0
Page Bank 28 0 14 0
Black Boy 77 5 3 0
Tudhoe 120 6 0 0
Adelaide 90 4 15 0
Thornley 230 11 10 0
Heworth 70 3 10 0
Seaham 150 4 3 0
Felling 20 1 0 0
Quarrington Hill
and Coxhoe 52 2 11 6
Derwent 174 4 7 0
The appointment of agents and secretary was then taken, the following
being the result:--
As agents, Mr Munson, Philadelphia; Mr Crawford Bedlington, and Mr J.
Richardson; the secretary being A. Cairns, Thornley. Mr Richardson was
assigned to North East, Mr Crawford, Central, and Mr Munson,
South-West. Each district to have a sub-delegate meeting, Birtley,
Thornley and Bishop Auckland being the places of meeting.
Mr Crawford was not long in the county before he began to make himself
felt, and let the people know he was around, as the Yankee would say.
In _The Durham Chronicle_ for the 3rd of June 1870 there is a very
striking letter in his best style. Those of us who knew him are well
aware what his best meant in 1870. He was writing in defence of Trades
Unions--some writers had been speaking about the "terrible tyranny" of
these unions. He turned on them, and showed that, "if there were
tyranny anywhere, it lay on the side of the employers, and that the
workmen were at all times inclined to act in a right and courteous
manner. Still, while they so act, they have to be utterly and fiercely
condemned, and the employing class applauded and eulogised for acting
in a manner diametrically opposite, and about as near an approximation
to truth and right, as are the North and South Poles. This seems a
most anomalous condition of things, that with one class right should
be called wrong, while with an opposite class that which is really
wrong should be called right. But I have no hesitation in saying that,
if the doings of working men's associations be closely and impartially
sought into, it will be found that, instead of any of their members
receiving full licence to do as they like, every action is closely
watched, and not over-considerately examined, and that, if there be a
fault, it often is in the executive power pressing rather too hardly
any portion of their fellows who may wish to seek for an amelioration
of their wrongs. Let the general public examine both the origin and
mode of conducting our trade disputes, and, as a rule, it will be
found that, instead of the toiling population deserving their
unsparing contumely, the employing class are alone the undivided cause
of these struggles, and the course they generally afterwards pursue
ought to call forth the bitterest indignation, and often does beget in
the heart of the working men a feeling of dislike and disregard not
unmixed with contempt."
At the meeting held on the 4th of June a fourth district was formed.
It was called the South-Western, and Mr Patterson was appointed agent
to it. As a further consequence of this additional district the
Executive Committee was increased from seven to nine, the wages of the
agents being fixed at 25s. 6d. and expenses. At this meeting we have
the first safeguarding rule against collieries striking illegally:
"That any colliery coming out on strike in an unconstitutional way be
not allowed any support from the Central Fund, or have their case
considered at the Central Board."
The next delegate meeting was held on the 30th of July. There was an
attendance of thirty-two delegates. The only matters needing a place
in our history were the appointment of another agent or assistant, and
an increase in the wages of the agents.
[Illustration: N. WILKINSON]
It was decided to appoint "Tommy Ramsey," and his wage to be 28s. per
week. The wage of the other agents was fixed at 25s. per week, with
10s. travelling expenses and 5s. per week house rent. These sums to
include all expenses within their respective districts.
The first Annual Meeting was held on December 3rd, 1870, in the Market
Hotel, Durham, and the proceedings and programme occupy three columns
of _The Durham Chronicle_.
The reason arises out of the dual nature of the meeting, it being
council and committee. The secretary's report showed that there were
1891 financial members on the books, and the total worth of the
Society was 7s. 1½d. per member. Our purpose will be met if we
select the main points, leaving those of a local and temporary
character. First, in that general category we have a request for
Durham to join the Amalgamated Association of Miners. This was not
acceded to, but copies of the rules were written for. Second, the
appointment of treasurer and his payment. Mr N. Wilkinson was
appointed, and his salary was to be 25s. per quarter (much less than
many of our local treasurers receive now). Yet Mr Wilkinson felt proud
of the office, and promised to merit their confidence during the year.
Third, the question of sending a delegate to the Miners' National
Conference, and the business, which was to discuss the Mines Bill. It
is very obvious that the county was feeling its way very carefully,
and with great regard to economy, for one delegate said it would take
one-twelfth of the income to send a representative, independently of
the entrance fee. It was finally agreed to send Mr Crawford. Fourth,
the question of cumulative voting was brought forward by Murton as
follows:--"That each delegate have an additional vote for every 100
members he represented." The proposal, however, was lost by fourteen
to eight. Fifth, the appointment of the officers for the year. These
were elected as follows:--
Secretary, A. Cairns; Treasurer, N. Wilkinson; President, W. Crawford;
Vice-President, W. H. Patterson; the Committee being Mr Munson, T.
Mitcheson, M. Thompson, M'Mann, J. Jackson, W. Coulthard, and I.
Perks.
A very fitting finish to the year 1870 will be a reference to another
letter by Mr Crawford. The object of his attack was the Rev. Mr
Blagdon, Newbottle. This gentleman had said he hated and detested
unions, and this roused the temper of Crawford, and plainly he talked
to him. He reminded the parson of the condition of the miner, and he
pointed to the contrast between his conduct and that of Christ.
"But I suppose," said Crawford, "things are changed. Of course, we
live in an age of progression, and we ought to leave behind us those
old and antiquated practices of practical philanthropy. Christ always
spoke the truth too. When He made a promise it was always kept."
Then he asks:
"What wrong are the workmen doing? Our only aim is the establishment
of common justice amongst mankind. We have myriads of men, women, and
children who but seldom receive an approximate sufficiency of the
commonest necessaries of life. And it is a self-evident fact that
nothing will render human existence so miserable and short as social
destitution, bringing, as a matter of consequence, mental pressure or
anxiety of mind. Even comparative want is prejudicial to physical
health. This brings care and anxiety. They act and react on each
other, often doing their deadly work ere men have passed half their
allotted threescore years and ten. That these things exist are
incontrovertible facts. And does their removal by moral and
philosophical means not _in part_ pertain to the work which this
gentleman has chosen for himself in life? History and observation
alike teach that, where a people are socially depressed, moral
culture is a most difficult matter, and, where moral cultivation is
no easy task, to spiritualise is next to an utter impossibility. So
that in reality, when rightly viewed, there is a very near kinship,
and ought to be, in working a very close connection between the Union
to which the Philadelphia Society belongs and the work in which this
reverend gentleman is engaged. Whether or not Mr Blagdon will endorse
these sentiments I cannot say; however, be that as it may, when in
future he makes a promise let him keep it, and likewise cease to give
utterance to such vehement expressions as hating and detesting that
about which he seems to understand but little indeed. By pursuing
such a course he will in future save himself the merited contempt of
his parishioners."
This quotation will serve a twofold purpose: it will give an example
of Mr Crawford's vigorous style of writing when roused and at his
best, and it will indicate the kind of opposition the young
Association was met with at this very delicate and important period of
its existence. Those who should have welcomed all effort towards
better things should have assisted instead of thwarting and
maligning.
The year 1871 found the builders of the Association untiring in their
efforts, but still meeting great discouragements. These came mainly
from the apathy of the people whom they were trying to help. Like
Nehemiah they had their Sanballats, who did their best to prevent the
work; but, inspired by the belief in the power of a united people to
better their own condition, they fought and built, making headway but
slowly. In the early part of January a Miners' Conference was held in
Manchester to consider the Mines Regulation Bill, the Trades Union
Bill, the Truck Bill, and kindred subjects. The delegate from Durham
was Mr W. Crawford, and the number he represented was 18,000.
Before proceeding further with the account of the building we will
place on record the first collective action taken by the young
Association. This was in relation to the inundation which happened at
Wheatley Hill on Thursday, the 19th of January 1871. The colliery had
been in operation about six months; there were thirteen hewers, five
putters, and three helpers up, with the necessary deputies and others,
at the time it occurred. There were five lives lost, and others had a
very narrow escape. There is no need to describe in detail the whole
circumstances. It will be sufficient to say that a man named Roberts
was in a place which was being driven in the main coal at Thornley for
the purpose of tapping some water which was lying on the Thornley side
in order that it might be run to the other colliery which lies to the
"dip." In addition to those who lost their lives, other two were
rescued after being in the mine fifty-four hours.
The Miners' Association was not slow in taking part in the subsequent
proceedings, and at the inquest which opened on the 25th at the
Colliery Office, Wheatley Hill, by Mr Crofton Maynard (whose able
services are still given to inquiries into the sad accidents in the
Easington Ward), the Association was represented by Mr W. Crawford. On
his application that witnesses should be summoned on behalf of the
workmen the Coroner readily consented to an adjournment until
Wednesday, the 8th of February. The adjourned inquest was held at
Wingate Grange, when Mr A. Cairns, Secretary, and Mr W. Crawford,
Agent, were present on behalf of the Association, with Mr Kewney,
Solicitor, of North Shields, to watch the proceedings. After a very
long and exhaustive inquiry the verdict was "that the deceased were
killed on the 19th of January by a burst of water in the Wheatley Hill
pit, through the gross negligence of W. Spencer, head viewer, W. Hay,
resident viewer, and Thomas Watson, overman; and that the said W.
Spencer, W. Hay, and T. Watson did kill and slay the five deceased
previously mentioned by neglecting to put in proper bore holes for the
safe working of the mine." On that verdict the Coroner committed the
accused for trial at the Assizes on a charge of manslaughter.
The trial took place at the March Assizes before Baron Martin. The
counsel for the Association were Mr Herschell (afterwards Lord
Chancellor) and Mr J. Edge. The writer of this history was in court,
and heard the trial, and the able speech made by Mr Herschell, whose
object was to show that there had been a violation of the Mines Act of
1860, the fifteenth rule of which was to the effect "that bore holes
should be kept in advance, and if necessary on both sides, on
approaching places likely to contain a large quantity of water." The
Grand Jury had thrown out the Bill, but the case was still proceeded
with. It was clear the judge was against the proceedings after the
throwing out of the Bill; and eventually the workmen's counsel
withdrew the case, because the judge was of the opinion that Roberts
(the hewer in whose place the water broke away) should have known as
well as the manager how near the water was to them, and because, on
the technical point, it was quite clear how the judge would direct the
jury. The accused were therefore acquitted. One little piece of funny
puzzling of the judge is very vividly remembered. Roberts was not a
native of the county, but was doing his best to train himself in the
peculiarities of a dialect which, when spoken by a Durham man, is to a
stranger difficult to understand, but more so when it comes from a
Welsh tongue. At one part of the proceedings the judge asked Roberts
what he was doing when the water broke in. The reply was: "Aw hed
getten me jud korved, and the hole marked off, and was gannen back for
the drills." With surprise the judge repeated the question, and
received the same answer. Perplexed, but not enlightened, a second
query was put: "What did you do then?" "Aw run doon the board and up
the stenton." Innocently the judge put a supplementary question: "Was
it a wide plank you ran along?" thinking the word board meant a piece
of timber laid for Roberts to walk on. Upon an explanation being given
he confessed that, in the whole of his experience, he had never been
so much puzzled before.
In our review of the building of the Association it will not be
necessary to mention the work in the county except so far as it
relates to the object we are dealing with: the raising and
strengthening of the organisation and the changes in policy and
procedure. The first Council in 1871 was held on March 25th. The
attendance of delegates was moderate, and Mr Crawford, the President
of the Association, was called to the chair.
At this meeting we have the first mention of the Yearly Demonstration.
It was moved "that the Council take into consideration the
desirability of holding a general meeting of miners in the central
district, the expenses of such to be paid from the Central Fund." The
time named was shortly after Easter. It was likewise arranged for the
agents to live in Durham. Mr Crawford at that time was residing in
Sunderland, and Mr Patterson in Bishop Auckland. This, it was felt,
interfered very much with the necessary consultation and arranging of
work. A series of resolutions was brought forward by Mr Crawford.
First, that "minerals be weighed only, seeing that measuring and
gauging are sources of endless losses to the hewers." Second, "that
miners ought to be allowed to place on the pit bank as checkweighman a
man of their own choice, whether such person be one of the workmen or
not." Third, the appointment of an additional number of inspectors or
sub-inspectors is required--the number of pits in 1869 in the whole
country being 3206, and only 12 inspectors, which gave an average of
267 pits each. The following resolution was carried:--
"We believe that to make inspection thoroughly effective, mines
ought to be inspected at intervals not exceeding three months."
The fourth resolution was "that no boy should be allowed to work more
than ten hours a day." The Murton delegate seconded the resolution,
and said: "Miners were often referred to as an ignorant set of men,
but if they received more attention than they did in the seed-time of
life perhaps better fruit would be received. At present their boys
went to work at half-past four in the morning, and did not leave the
mine till half-past five in the evening. By the time they got home,
washed themselves, and had a little refreshment it was seven o'clock.
Certainly night schools were provided for the boys, but he could not
see the utility of them, as the minds of the lads after being so many
hours in the pit were incapable of receiving instruction. Providing
schools under these circumstances for pit lads was like preparing food
for persons who had no appetite." That speech is worth quoting and
remembering, because it gives us so clearly the condition in that year
and shows so graphically the change since then. The young men at least
will do well to ponder the lesson. To them it means much, and tells
them the benefit they have (in this alone) received from the labours
of those men who so unselfishly toiled in the early days.
At this time a question arose which evoked great feeling in the
Thornley district in particular, and throughout the county in general.
This was the refusal by Mr Cooper, the manager at Thornley, to bind Mr
A. Cairns, the Secretary of the Association, who was checkweighman,
and Mr J. Jackson, one of the Executive Committee. At that time, it
should be remembered, a man to be a checkweighman must be, and remain,
a workman on the colliery, and therefore be "bound" as all other men
were. The situation is interesting for two points--first, because it
was productive of some very strong letter writing by Mr Crawford in
defence of the two men; and second, because it is the first recorded
instance of an offer from the men to apply arbitration as a means of
settling disputes between employers and workmen under this
Association. The offer was contained in a resolution passed at a
special Council held in the Market Hotel, Durham, on 8th April. The
following is a portion of the resolution:--
"This meeting strongly urges on the Thornley workmen the propriety of
offering to submit the whole case to arbitration, the members of the
Board chosen to be composed of an equal number from both sides; the
arbitrators to elect an umpire whose decision shall be final."
I quote two sentences from one of Mr Crawford's letters:
"The entire transactions both on the part of the masters, and these
perfidious hirelings [certain blacklegs] is contemptible in the
extreme, clearly showing to working men that where they have not, by
combination, the power to protect themselves they will only be
endured so long as they are passive slaves in the hands of grasping
greediness. Men need to arise, and by an active concentration of
organised power frustrate that intolerance so rampant among them, an
intolerance diametrically opposed to the spirit of the age, and one
that will not hesitate to build its own advancement on the
spoliation and desolation, and if necessary the damnation, of myriads
of immortal beings."
OUR FIRST GALA
The first in the long series of meetings was held in Wharton's Park,
Durham, on Saturday, the 12th of August 1871. For some time prior
district meetings had been held in different parts of the county, and
great efforts made to secure a good gathering. In addition, a "sum
amounting to £20 was offered in three prizes for a Band Contest, and
liberal money prizes for various athletic sports." There was a charge
for admission, and it was estimated that between 4000 and 5000 paid
for admission. The speakers outside the Association were A. Macdonald,
W. Brown, Staffordshire, and John Normansell, Yorkshire. The local
speakers were Mr W. H. Patterson, Mr Hendry, Addison Colliery; Mr T.
Ramsey, Mr N. Wilkinson, Mr Allens, Mr Young, Addison Colliery; and Mr
Ferguson, Edmondsley. The platform was decorated with the Thornley
banner, and in the arena was a banner bearing the inscription: "A fair
day's wage for a fair day's work." The chairman was Mr W. Crawford.
His first words were: "This is the first great Gala Day of the Durham
Miner's Mutual Confident Association, and I only pray that it will not
be the last." He reminded them that he and his colleagues had only
been trying to organise the county. They had met with great
difficulties, but they were still alive, and more likely to continue
alive than ever. "I can assure you," he said, "that on this, the 12th
day of August 1871, the Durham Miners' Association was never in a more
healthy position; never more healthy with regard to its feeling and
determination to carry on its great work of organising the county;
never more healthy with respect to its funds; and never more healthy
in reference to the general progressive tendency of its operations,
since the first day the Association was established." To quote the
speeches would be foreign to the purpose of this history. The speakers
were men who did great work in the Trades Union movement in the period
with which we are now dealing. William Brown had peculiar methods,
partaking more of a religious revivalist. He ofttimes at home opened
his meetings with prayer, and had a small collection of songs
(entitled melodies and poems), from which he would sing before he
commenced to speak (and he was a singer). For some months it was the
privilege of the writer to be engaged as a lecturer in the Midlands by
the Miners' National Union in 1878, three weeks of which were spent
with Brown in North Stafford, and therefore there was a good
opportunity of judging. At this first Gala Brown sang two of these
songs, and recited the following poem:--
WORKING MEN
"Think what power lies within you,
For what triumphs you are formed;
Think, but not alone of living
Like the horse from day to day;
Think, but not alone of giving
Health for pelf, and soul for pay.
Think, oh! be machines no longer,
Engines made of flesh and blood;
Thought will make you fresher, stronger,
Link you to the great and good;
Thought is a wand of power,
Power to make oppression shrink,
Grasp ye then the precious dower,
Poise it, wield it, work and think."
These men, heroes of the highest order, who inaugurated one of the
finest series of labour meetings ever held in this or any other
county, who saw the possibilities which lay within us, and who spoke
such words of hope, have all passed to the reward which awaits the
good and the true who battle for the right in whatever clime or sphere
of life. Their spirits still live and move and have being in many
to-day, bearing testimony that "the good men do lives after them."
A delegate meeting was held on the 9th of September 1871, Mr Crawford
presiding, at which three general matters were transacted. It was
decided to retain a solicitor to transact the legal business of the
Association and act as adviser. Arrangements were to be made to open a
proper banking account, and it was resolved to join the Miners'
National Association.
The next delegate meeting of importance was held in the Shakespeare
Hall, North Road, Durham. Mr J. Forman was now chairman (although
still continuing to live at Roddymoor)--Mr Crawford being appointed
secretary, Mr Wilkinson treasurer, and Mr Patterson agent. The matter
under discussion was the wage settlement, some dissatisfaction being
manifested at the difference between the men underground and those at
bank, and a report was made of the first case settled by arbitration.
This was at the Lizzie Colliery, the arbitrators being T. Taylor-Smith
and Mr W. Crawford.
THE LEADERS
With the Council meeting held on Tuesday, March 26th, 1872, by the
election of Mr Forman as president and Mr Crawford as secretary, and
the regular meetings with the employers being recognised, we have the
Association fully and solidly established. Before we proceed further
it will be in natural order if we take a short glance at the men who
were at the head of it. There is no need to enlarge upon them; a bare
outline will be sufficient. The first in prominence and force was Mr
W. Crawford. When appointed he was outside the county, but owing to
his having been secretary of the combined counties he was known to the
Durham men as an able and forcible Trades Unionist. When the
separation between the two counties took place he was engaged as
secretary of the Northumberland Association. This post, says Fynes in
his history, he filled "with great ability until June 1865, and made
himself a great favourite in Northumberland, but he then left the
Association in order to take the secretaryship of the Cowpen
Co-operative Store at Blyth." Mr Burt was elected to succeed him. In
1870, when Mr Crawford applied for the position of agent in Durham, he
was selected from a number of candidates. It was at this time that the
writer had the pleasure of making his acquaintance, and had large
opportunities of forming an estimate of his ability. Never had any man
more force of character or more executive power. His individuality
was very large. He had no love for platform work, and the love for
that sphere lessened as he grew older; but he had no superior and few
equals in his grasp of, and power to find a solution of, the peculiar
difficulties and complications which arise in an occupation like the
miners. He was a solver of difficulty and a manager of men, and in
every way fitted for the post of secretary of a trades organisation.
From his appointment to his death he filled it with a skill few men
can command.
_N. Wilkinson_, the first treasurer of the Association, had worked at
Trimdon Grange as a fireman. At the date of his appointment he was
earning a living by tea selling, having lost his employment on account
of his Trades Union principles. His first appointment was temporary,
and when elected permanently he was living at Coxhoe. As soon as the
Union was fairly started he was made treasurer permanently, and so
acted till 1882. As a speaker he was of a blunt, straightforward
order. As Othello says: "His was a round unvarnished tale and he told
it right on." At the commencement, when announced on the bills it was
as "Nicky Wilkinson," and no man could be in the least doubt but that
when he spoke to them on the Union and its usefulness it was from the
heart. As a man in those stern and trying times he was, as those who
were his colleagues would testify, a man upon whom they could depend
in any testing circumstances.
_Mr J. Forman._--He was the first regular chairman. At the time of his
appointment he was checkweighman at Roddymoor, and when spoken of it
was as "Forman of Roddymoor." He came from Northumberland to Annfield
Plain when a young man. He acted as president of the Association for a
time, and followed his occupation as checkweighman; then in 1874 he
was appointed a permanent official, and removed to Durham. He
continued in that position until his death on the 2nd of September
1900, at the age of seventy-seven. He was an ideal president. It is
not saying too much--his superior could not be found. The fact of his
appointment to that position indicated the prominent part he took in
the formation of the Union. He was more of an adviser than a platform
speaker. He preferred a quiet, retiring life in which he could be
useful rather than ornamental. Although shunning public notoriety he
was no shirker when danger demanded the presence of men, for in all
the explosions which happened during the term of his office he was one
of the foremost; and almost single-handed he stood out for the dust
theory when men of noted scientific knowledge were against him.
_W. H. Patterson._--His life's work, from start to finish, was the
most conclusive testimony as to the sincerity of his purpose. There
were men then, as now, whose motive is the loaves and fishes, willing
to gather where they strew not and reap where they have not sown; but
Patterson was not one of these. From the time when, but a mere boy
living at Windy Nook, he threw himself into the work, with earnestness
and energy, until his death, when a comparatively young man, he
devoted himself and the best he could give to the establishment of and
care for the Union. When it prospered no man was more cheerful, and
when dark times came upon it his sorrow was genuine and large. He was
not a Crawford (few were), yet for persistent plodding he was equal
to any. With youthful buoyancy, and a heart full of desire and
determination, he was the very man for the position in which he was
placed. It would have been a useful addition to our own literature if
he had placed on record the hardships he, with "Tommy Ramsey" endured
in 1870-72. They lodged many a time in a room the walls of which were
the horizon and the lamps the stars above them. Money was not
plentiful, and it was not every person who dared to take an agitator
in to lodge. It was in many quarters considered a crime almost
deserving of capital punishment.
"_Tommy Ramsey._"--What can be said of "Tommy"? He was a most perfect
type of an old school miner, and a sound Trades Unionist, one of the
heroes of '44. There are numbers of men in the county who will
remember the rugged old warrior in the noble cause, just as the
picture hanging in the Hall describes him--a rough but true diamond of
the first water. With bills under his arm and crake in hand he went
from row to row announcing the meetings and urging the men to attend.
His words were few, but forcible; not polished, but very pointed--and
they went home. Like Longfellow's arrow shot in the air, they found a
resting-place. He had one speech, the peroration of which was
something like the following:--"Lads, unite and better your condition.
When eggs are scarce, eggs are dear; when men are scarce, men are
dear." It was impossible to miss the meaning in those words. Their
simplicity was their greatest eloquence. His work was far from
pleasant or safe. The writer of this was witness of a brutal attack on
the old man by a bully who would disgrace any place in which he
lived. This antipodes of a man, to curry favour with the manager, and
to please those who bought him body and what soul he had, ill used
Ramsey, and burnt his crake. At the subsequent meeting Crawford was
wild in his denunciations. The words still ring in my ears. Brave old
"Tommy" cared not; he got a new crake, and turned it with more
emphasis. Grand old Ramsey, you are right now; if not, many of us have
a poor chance. You in your way, in accordance with your ability, tried
to open the prison doors to those who were bound, and to stir up a
love of freedom in the breast of those who were in willing slavery.
[Illustration: T. RAMSEY]
THE OPPOSITION TO THE BUILDING
This was fourfold, and it may be interesting to look at these
_seriatim_. The first was not in the least unexpected. At that time
Capital and Labour were looked upon as being natural enemies, and all
their relations were on that principle. We see now how foolish is that
idea. Then conflict and doubt formed the atmosphere which surrounded
the two great parties in the industrial world. If men having common
interest joined themselves, in order that they might act for the
common welfare, the leaders were to be dealt with harshly, and if
necessary banished. It was no infrequent occurrence, when the spirit
of Union was abroad, for men to be driven away from localities they
loved and from associations endeared by years of enjoyment. This was
done with the view that terror might be struck into the hearts of
others. The principle was: Drive away the shepherd and the sheep will
flee. So much was that spirit abroad that in many places the
establishment of the Permanent Relief Fund was treated coldly,
obstacles thrown in its way, if not bitterly opposed, because it was
regarded as the thin edge of the Union wedge. What more natural than
for fierce opposition to rear itself, with threats for the braver
spirits, and bribes and allurements for those whose nature was
susceptible to such influences? Ale-houses were used as a means for
preventing Unionism taking root and spreading. The sorrow of it is
there have always been spirits who are ready to act meanly when
required.
This opposition was, therefore, to meet and bear down and convince
that a trades organisation was not an institution prone to evil, and
set up for no other purpose. The men who are alive to-day, and who
took part in that opposition, would, we may assert with confidence,
confess their mistake if they were interviewed on the subject.
Then the law was against the Trades Unionists. We complain now, but
they had more reason in those days. We must lift ourselves into the
condition of things prior to the 1875 Act, which did a great deal
towards equalising the positions of the employer and employed. The
Master and Servants Act, with all its one-sided applications, was in
force. For a long time an agitation was carried on for its repeal, but
after twenty years the only result was the appointment of a select
committee to inquire into the operation of the law. The law was very
unequal. It had been framed on the principle that the workman alone
was inclined to do wrong, and therefore wanted hedging in and
punishing. In the year 1865 there were 1100 arrests under the Act
in the country. Eight hundred of the accused were sent to prison. An
Amending Act was passed in 1867, but between that time and 1875, 774
were convicted. "The state of the law was simply infamous. Its
provisions made it a criminal act if a workman broke a contract, even
under the most justifiable circumstances. He was arrested by warrant,
and if the breach of contract was proved the magistrate was bound to
inflict the punishment of imprisonment with hard labour. If, on the
other hand, the employer broke the contract, ever so flagrantly, he
could only be summoned by a civil process, and his punishment was
simply a fine."
[Illustration: J. H. VEITCH]
Then they were hindered by a system of boycotting before the word
became proverbial. It was not merely difficult, but impossible in some
places to get a meeting-place. The writer knows of one colliery where
a place could not be got. Even the co-operative hall was closed
against the Union, and the Union money had to be taken in the corner
of a field. Beyond this, in Durham the printers refused to do the
Union printing--all except Mr J. H. Veitch, who dared almost social
ostracism and took the work, and the connection then formed has
continued up till now. The refusal arose from two reasons--first,
there was a fear that the Union would not be able to pay for the
printing; and second, Trades Unions were in bad odour in the county
generally, and none the less in Durham. There was none of the
respectability about the institutions there is now, and little hope of
them. Broadheadism at Sheffield, with its destructive policy, had
filled men's minds with fear. The form of reasoning was: "Trades
Unions are guilty of these evil things; this is a Trades Union,
therefore it will be guilty of doing evil." Just as logical as if a
man had said: "Murder is committed in England; these people are
English, therefore they will commit murder." Mr J. H. Veitch (all
honour to him) had none of those fears, nor that false logic. He took
the work when social ostracism was in the air. We cannot forget the
act nor the man.
Another great obstacle against which they had to contend was a host of
anonymous writers, who wrote behind a variety of _nom de plumes_--such
as "Geordie Close," which covered W. P. Shield, and "Jacky Close," but
none under their own names. These writers used the most scurrilous and
slanderous language about, and attributed the vilest motives to the
men who were at the head of the movement. The situation was a complete
analogue to that when Nehemiah commenced to build the walls of
Jerusalem. Sanballat and Tobiah and Geshem laughed him to scorn, and
despised him, and said: "What is this thing that ye do; will ye rebel
against the king?" But as those sneerers in the far-off Jewish times
had no effect on the builders of that day, so in those days the
founders of our Association, the builders of our broken walls, heeded
not those snarlers of thirty-six years ago, and the result is an
all-round benefit.
The greatest of all the species of opposition they had to meet arose
from the apathy and indifference of the people. Although the condition
was bad in the extreme, yet often the earnest spirits and others
scattered about the county had to ask each other, in the query of the
prophet: "Who hath believed our report?" The state of apathy was
quite natural. It was not because there was no real love of Union; it
was the outcome of repeated failures. "Hope deferred maketh the heart
sick." There had been spasmodic attempts at associated effort. The
result was a feeling of hopelessness. Like men of whom we read in
waterlogged ships or analogous situations on land, having tried oft to
save themselves, they give up in despair, and say "Kismet," like an
Eastern fatalist. The hold this feeling had on the mind is seen in the
small results for a considerable time after the Association commenced.
A thousand or two was their whole membership, their council was their
committee as well, and the numbers so small that a room in an ordinary
hotel could with ease contain them. At their meetings, sparse in
attendance, they were often insulted and sometimes maltreated by the
men they had come to help.
In this alone there was sufficient to deter them, and to lead men of
talent and energy (such as they were) to turn themselves to other
objects in life; but they loved their class, and, while they had
aspirations for better conditions, they desired to raise their fellows
with themselves. Any one of them could have made a position in other
directions if their aims had been selfish; but they were men of
different mould, and they were inspired by the love of the cause, and
confident in its ultimate success if once they could clear away the
dark pessimism which had fixed itself in the minds of the workmen. For
this they endured the hardship and faced the opposition, until finally
men saw the solidity and permanency of their work, with the result
that the institution they founded occupies a rightly deserved
foremost place among Trades Unions.
1872
The Coal Owners' Association--The Abolition of the Bond--First
general Advance--Formation of the Joint Committee--First Gala--Mines
Regulation Act--Second Advance
_The Coal Owners' Association._--One of the results of the formation
of the organisation was the commencement of the Durham Coal Owners'
Association. There had been an association under the name of "The
North of England United Coal Trade Association," but its functions
were vastly different from those of the present organisation. Then the
sphere of operations was parliamentary and legal, but the new body was
formed for trade purposes. The first meeting to consider such a step
was held on February 1st, 1872. There was an adjournment for a
fortnight, when a set of rules was submitted setting forth the
conditions of membership, contributions, the assistance to be
rendered, and the appointment of officers. The chairman and
vice-chairman were respectively Hugh Taylor and W. Stobart, and the
secretary was T. W. Bunning. No sooner was the Association formed than
communications were opened with the Miners' Association, as the
following letter will show:--
Neville Hall, Coal Trade Office, Newcastle-on-Tyne, _Feb. 5th, 1872._
Mr Crawford, my dear Sir,--I am directed to inform you that, at a
large meeting of the representatives of the household coal collieries,
held here last Saturday, it was resolved--
That it is considered desirable that a meeting should be held between
the coal owners and a deputation of the representatives of the
workmen, at one o'clock on Saturday, the 17th instant, at the Coal
Trade Office, to discuss the various questions now in agitation by
the workmen, with a view to their adjustment, and that a copy of this
resolution be forwarded to Mr Crawford.
Will you be as kind as to acknowledge the receipt of this letter, and
let me have the names of the deputation who will attend.
I beg to remain, dear Sir, very respectfully yours,
THEO. WOOD BUNNING.
[Illustration:
(Back Row).--N. WILKINSON.
(_Treasurer._)
W. H. PATTERSON.
(_Vice-President._)
M. THOMPSON.
T. RAMSEY.
G. JACKSON.
J. FORMAN.
(Front Row).--W. ASKEW.
W. CRAWFORD.
(_President and Secretary._)
J. HANDY.
T. MITCHESON.
The First Deputation from the Durham Miners' Association to the Coal
Trade Office, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, February 17, 1872]
There were about a score of representatives of the employers present
during the meeting, while ten delegates, representing 20,000 workmen,
took part in the conference on the latter's behalf.
Mr Hugh Taylor occupied the chair, and the delegates were introduced
by Mr Crawford. The first question for discussion by the conference
was then brought forward--viz. the yearly bindings.
At the outset the employers intimated that they were perfectly willing
to abolish the bond, and establish in its place either monthly or
fortnightly agreements, giving preference to the former. The workmen's
delegates at once intimated their readiness to abolish the yearly
bond, and thanked the masters most kindly for the manner in which they
had met them on that question. The men proposed in the place of the
yearly bond to establish a fortnightly agreement, and it was
ultimately decided to discuss the terms of the agreement at a second
meeting to be held shortly.
The next matter was the question of the hours of boy labour, but
after a short conversation it was also agreed to allow this question
to stand over until the second meeting. The next question was with
reference to an advance of wages. On this point the owners admitted
that the men ought to share the present prosperous condition of the
trade, the only difference of opinion that arose being what that share
ought to be. The employers were of opinion that they and the men ought
to meet as two associations--the combined masters on the one side and
the combined workmen on the other--and discuss the question as to what
would be fair to both parties. It was suggested at the same time that
any advance asked or conceded should be based on prices in force at
bound and unbound collieries of the county of Durham in April 1871. On
the part of the employers it was pointed out that a great many
collieries had at the present time presented petitions for an advance
of wages, and in some cases they had intimated their decision of
laying the pits idle in case their demands were not conceded, and it
was now suggested that the delegates from the workmen present should
do their utmost to get the petitions placed in abeyance until the next
conference was held. This was readily agreed to, and the meeting then
terminated.
It is satisfactory to note that during the continuance of the
conference a most pleasant and amicable feeling prevailed on both
sides.
The Association being formed and officered preparation was made for
the removal of grievances. The first to which attention was turned was
the abolition of the "Yearly Bond." For a long time there had been a
protest against the system of partial slavery implied in a contract
covering a year. The system was as follows:--On a Saturday near the
20th of March the whole of the workmen were called to the colliery
office, and there the manager would read over (nearly always in tones
inaudible to all except those who were close to him) the conditions of
labour for the next twelve months. There was usually a balancing of
the prices. As an inducement to the men there was, say, a sovereign
given to the first man bound, ten shillings to the second, five
shillings to the third, and then two shillings and sixpence to every
man after. The crush to secure the first place was generally so great
that the manager was fortunate if he were not carried off his feet. As
a preparation for this rush certain men would be bribed to incite, and
thus induce men to act in an unthinking manner.
This bare outline will suffice to show the evil of the "Bond," and
that it was a wise step on the part of the newly-formed organisation
to attempt to substitute a shorter term of contract. The first meeting
for that purpose between the employers and workmen was held on
February 17th, 1872. As this was the first united meeting in a series
which has been for the benefit of all concerned it will be interesting
to place on record the letter from the employers inviting the
representatives of the Miners' Association to meet them. Of course,
the employers were made aware of the desire amongst the people for
this and other reforms, and that knowledge induced them to arrange
matters amicably if possible. Another thing was in favour of the
workmen: not only was their Union gathering strength, but the state of
trade was in their favour. One result of the war between France and
Prussia was to increase the demand for British coal, the result being
a coal famine and excessive prices. The old pit heaps even were sent
away, and a common saying at the time was: "Anything black was sold
for coal." A conflict, therefore, would have been a dangerous and
destructive thing.
(_First General Advance_)
IMPORTANT CONFERENCE OF COLLIERY OWNERS AND MINERS' AGENTS IN
NEWCASTLE
(_Durham Chronicle Account_)
Agreeably to an arrangement made at the conference between the
colliery owners and the miners' delegates held on the 17th inst. an
adjourned meeting between the two bodies took place on Saturday at
the Wood Memorial Hall, Newcastle. There was a large attendance of
the masters, Mr Hugh Taylor, Chipchase, being in the chair. Mr W.
Crawford, President of the Durham Miners' Mutual Confident
Association, acted as principal spokesman for the miners' delegates,
who were eight in number.
It will be remembered that at the last meeting the masters agreed to
the abolition of the yearly bond, and the first question, therefore,
taken into consideration at the present conference, was the nature of
the future agreement between the masters and the men. On the one
hand, the employers suggested monthly notices on both sides; but the
men on the other hand were unanimous in the request for a fortnightly
notice, with the option of either giving or receiving the same on any
day except Sunday. After some discussion, the masters acceded to the
wishes of the men on this point. The next question taken into
consideration was the advance in pay demanded by the men.
A proposition for an increase of 35 per cent. on all prices paid in
April last was submitted by the delegates, who, in answer to
questions by the owners, admitted that the advance requested appeared
to be a large one, but they urged that it was made in consequence of
the low rate of remuneration received by the miners of the county at
the time referred to.
To this advance the owners objected on the ground that it was
excessive.
They also urged that for several years past coal had been low in the
market, and the working of pits had been unremunerative, and
submitted that it was unfair on the part of the workmen, when a
slightly better price had been obtained, to make an exorbitant
demand. They also pointed out that the advance asked for was greatly
in excess of that obtained by the miners in other parts of the
country. To this argument the delegates replied that they were of
opinion that the advance asked for was not greater than the excessive
profits of the masters would allow to pay; in fact they only wanted a
reasonable ratio of the profits made by their labour, and they were
also of opinion that the 35 per cent. advance would not place the
miners of the county of Durham on an equality with the workmen of
other counties. After some further discussion, the delegates
intimated that they would be satisfied, if the owners did not feel
disposed to give the increase asked for, with the average score price
paid in Northumberland and South Yorkshire. They were willing, if the
masters would divide the two last mentioned counties into four
quarters each, and would select, according to arrangement, two
collieries from each of the eight quarters, to accept the averages of
the prices paid at the sixteen collieries as the standard scale in
the county of Durham. The owners, after hearing this proposition,
asked the deputation if the average would be accepted by the men at
those collieries in the county who were at present working for only 5
per cent. less than the proposed standard. The delegates replied that
every such colliery would accept the average if the masters would
give it to the men of those collieries who were at present working
for 50 per cent. less than the average named.
After some further discussion the delegates retired. On being called
back into the room they were informed by the chairman that the owners
did not think it was desirable to go to either Northumberland or
South Yorkshire for an average, as they were of opinion that they
were quite competent to manage their own affairs; and that they had
agreed, in a spirit of conciliation, to offer an advance of 20 per
cent. on all prices over and above all consideration money paid on
April last.
The deputation stated that they had no authority to accept the offer
of the owners, but they would in due course communicate it to the
general body of the men. The conference shortly afterwards broke up.
The day fixed for a meeting on this question was the 2nd of March. In
the meantime a special Council meeting was held in the Town Hall,
Durham, Mr W. Crawford, as President, occupying the chair. There were
present 160 delegates, and the members represented were about 20,000.
The business was the discussion of the matters to come before the
employers and the appointment of a deputation to attend the meeting.
The adjourned conference was held on Thursday, March 21st, and for the
purpose of giving a proper knowledge I herewith record the press
report from _The Durham Chronicle_.
CONFERENCE BETWEEN DURHAM COAL OWNERS AND WORKMEN
Another conference between the Durham coal owners and a deputation of
the workmen of the county took place on Thursday sennight in the Wood
Memorial Hall, Newcastle. The chair was occupied by Mr J. B. Simpson,
Low Hedgefield, and there was a good attendance of the
representatives of the owners, the deputation being, as at previous
meetings, headed by Mr W. Crawford. Before proceeding to the disposal
of the questions for which the conference had been convened, it was
intimated to the deputation that Haswell Colliery was idle. It was
explained that the workmen at that colliery had received an advance
of 6d. per score on last April's prices in November last, and they
now wanted an advance of 20 per cent. on that concession. A telegram
was also produced which intimated that a strike on the same ground
had occurred that morning at Castle Eden Colliery. The course adopted
by these two collieries was utterly opposed to the arrangement which
had been made between the two Associations of employers and workmen
at their conference, and the representatives of the former body
intimated that if such constant violations of the arrangements
arrived at at these interviews were to continue, it would be better
to break off all negotiations at once, and each side follow its own
policy. The members of the deputation expressed their utter surprise
and utter ignorance of the events that had occurred at the collieries
named, the first intimation of which they had received was at that
meeting, and they desired to be allowed a private consultation before
they proceeded further. After a short consultation in private, the
deputation drew up the following telegram, the substance of which
they communicated to the employers:--
We regret to hear that Haswell and Castle
Eden Collieries are idle.
You must know that you are wrong, and we
strongly advise you to commence work to-morrow,
otherwise steps will be taken to repudiate
such reprehensible conduct, and if
necessary the strongest action will be taken in
the matter.
This was deemed satisfactory, and the conference then proceeded to
the business which had drawn them together--viz. the remuneration of
the offhanded men and boys. The employers stated that they had agreed
to give all offhanded men and boys who work underground 20 per cent.
advance on last April's prices, the same as they had conceded to the
hewers. To the men who work above ground--viz. to the cinder drawers,
joiners, blacksmiths, firemen, screenmen, and banksmen, and all other
men and boys, with the exception of the enginemen and a few rare
cases of cinder drawers--they offered an advance of 12½ per cent.
on last April's prices.
The deputation, while expressing their perfect satisfaction with the
underground men and boys' advance, suggested the propriety of the
same advance being extended to all those men, as enumerated, who work
above bank. On the part of the employers, however, it was stated that
the reason only 12½ per cent. was offered to the above-bank men
was that a reduction of 8 per cent. in their working hours had been
conceded; and further that their work was not of so risky and
dangerous a nature as that of the underground men, and also that
there was always a superabundance of men willing to work on the
screens, and to do other work above bank. After a conversation, the
terms offered by the employers for both descriptions of men were
accepted.
The report of the interview was given to a delegate meeting, Mr
Crawford again presiding. The number of delegates was very large. The
points under discussion were the two offers contained in the report
above. It was agreed that the offer of the owners should be accepted,
with the understanding that it come into operation at once.
This was the whole of the important business discussed.
It will serve no useful purpose to deal with every local strike, they
are incidental to the main course. Mention will only be made when any
incident cognate to the general purpose be connected with them. With
that idea in view I refer to the strike at Seaham. This strike
commenced on Monday, 17th May. The main causes of the stoppage were
the length of the hours of the hewers and the time when the shifts
should be worked. The hours of the putters had been reduced from
twelve to ten, the pit at the time being a single or day shift. With
the reduction of the hours the employers wanted to arrange for two
shifts of putters and three shifts of hewers. Against this the workmen
not only protested, but stopped work without notice. Two things are
noticeable, and of interest to us. We have the first breach of
discipline, and the first instance of censure of the general
officials, because, in accordance with the obligations of their
office, they enforced the rules of the Association, and candidly and
clearly told the men their opinion.
The cause of complaint with reference to Mr Crawford and the
officials of the Union, was a telegram sent to the lodge, which, with
slight verbal variation, has formed the model of all sent since under
the same circumstances. It read as follows:--"Do go to work. You must
know you are wrong. You will get no support. Liable to punishment. Do
return." For sending that message Mr Crawford was subject to some very
scurrilous remarks at the meetings which were held in connection with
the strike. These remarks called forth a public reply. In the press of
that day is found a letter which contains an unflinching and manly
statement of the facts of the case: the cause of the strike, the
illegal position of the men, and an extenuation of the action of
himself and his colleagues. I quote the concluding words. After
pointing out how expeditious the agents had been in their attendance
to the matter in dispute, how they (the men) were striking against
their own agreement, how he had been vilified, and how his views were
still unchanged, he wrote:
The report of yesterday's proceedings at Seaham Colliery has not
changed my views on this matter. I repeat it, the men are in the
wrong, and even liable to punishment. A miner characterised the
telegram as an insult to the men at that colliery. Of this I have not
the slightest doubt. I have recently been accused of both insults and
incivility; and why? Because, as in the case of Seaham, my opinion
has been asked, or advice sought, and where such opinion or advice
has been adverse to their own preconceived ideas of right or wrong,
and they have been told so decisively but courteously, then I became
uncivil! These are the men who can prate about liberty of speech and
freedom of action, and yet, because they are supposed to subscribe
their mite towards a person's maintenance,--every penny of which is
doubly worked for,--would only allow his tongue to utter words in
accordance with their own crude and contracted views, even though
such words were a mere utterance of the most glaring untruths, and a
flagrant violation of all the rules now in operation as between
masters and servants in their respective relations to each other. I
willingly admit that these are but a small minority among the 30,000
members now composing our Association. From the men I have received
the utmost consideration, demonstrating by their conduct, that they
will give to those whom they employ that treatment which they would
like to receive from those by whom they themselves are employed. I
commenced my present agency amongst the miners of Durham on May 16th,
1870. From then, till now, I have done my utmost to protect and
further their interests in a fair and equitable manner. Where I have
deemed the doings of owners or agents to be wrong, I have not been
slow to condemn them, and what I have done will do again; and where I
have found the workmen to be wrong, I have pursued the same course,
unhesitatingly making known my views without the slightest
hesitation. If any man or number of men are mean and cowardly enough
to think that I shall sit and become a mere machine of repetition, I
beg to clearly intimate that they are sadly mistaken. I shall retain
my individuality intact, holding myself free to unreservedly express
my opinion of all matters which in any way may effect the welfare of
our Association, being always willing to retrace my steps, if shown
wherein I am wrong; but holding on, amid the folly of fools and the
abuse of knaves, if convinced that I am right. And in conclusion,
allow me to say that, if such doings are not in keeping with those
of the men, the sooner I am replaced the better.
A Council meeting was held on the 25th of May in the Town Hall,
Durham. The only thing of note was a proposition for the establishment
of an institution for the benefit of old men. Nothing definite was
done in the matter. After discussing it the Council decided to refer
the matter to the Executive Committee, with instructions to draw up a
plan or plans to be submitted to the county for acceptance or
rejection. In this we have the germ which eventually developed,
through the Permanent Relief Fund, into the Superannuation Fund, which
has been such a blessing to hundreds of aged miners in the northern
counties.
On Saturday, June 1st, an important conference was held between the
coal owners and a deputation of representatives of the Association.
The deputation consisted of J. Forman (President), W. Crawford
(Secretary), W. H. Patterson (Agent), N. Wilkinson (Treasurer), T.
Mitcheson, Coundon, M. Thompson, Murton, G. Jackson, and H. Davison,
Thornley. The first question was the dispute at Seaham and the night
shift in general. There was a long discussion, and eventually the
employers promised not to commence any more night-shift pits unless it
were a case of absolute necessity. The conference next turned its
attention to the first rank for pony putters. The proposal of the men
was that the distance should be 100 yards. It will be as well to say
here that afterwards the distance was fixed at that number of yards.
The next subject was as to how many tubs should constitute a score.
There was no uniformity in the county. Although twenty of anything is
generally reckoned a score, yet at some collieries it was as high as
twenty-five. The object was to reduce it to twenty, and the deputation
was willing to rearrange the prices wherever the number was reduced.
The owners thought it unwise to alter the arrangements, and suggested
an adjournment, which was agreed to.
The last question was the arrangement of a uniform time for the
foreshift men to go down. The custom varied; at some places it was as
early as one or two in the morning. The hour named by the
representatives of the workmen was from four o'clock. The employers
had no very strong objection, except that of interfering with other
classes of labour--such as cokemen, waiters-on, and others who would
have to commence later, and therefore be later at work. The deputation
replied by instancing the Peases firm, where the system had been
introduced and was working satisfactorily. The employers asked for
time to consult the trade, and promised to inform the coal trade how
emphatic the workmen were in their desire for the change.
THE FIRST GALA ON THE RACE-COURSE, DURHAM
Beyond this gala, which may be truly classed as the first, there will
not be any need to mention the yearly gatherings in this history. Its
importance compels notice. Important it was, for two reasons--first,
its place in the series; and second, because of the public feeling,
and in many quarters fear, which was felt as to the consequence of
bringing such a large number of the miners and massing them in the
city. As showing the state of feeling I will insert a portion of an
article which appeared in _The Durham Chronicle_ for Friday, June
14th, 1872.
The coming demonstration has occasioned not a few timid residents
much uneasiness during the past few days, on account, as they
imagine, of the extreme likelihood of the affair resulting in a scene
of riot and disorder, and two or three nervous females in business in
the town have so far given way to their fears that they have actually
consulted their friends as to the propriety of closing their shops in
order to protect their persons and property from "those horrid
pitmen!" Even the borough magistrates, too, seem to have had an idea
that the dog-fighting and pitch-and-toss portion of the mining
community was going to be introduced into the city by the approaching
gathering, for they declined when first requested to grant the usual
licences to the proprietors of the refreshment booths. A full meeting
of the borough magistrates was, however, subsequently held, and the
Bench after hearing a statement from Mr Crawford, the principal agent
of the Durham Miners' Association, relative to the object of the
miners in assembling together agreed to issue the required
certificates. For our own part, we have not the slightest doubt of
the proceedings being characterised by anything but the best of
feeling and order on the part of the men taking part in the
demonstration, which we are sure is intended to partake more of the
character of a monster "outing" of a class of men whose only desire
is to discuss amongst themselves the best means of improving, in a
rational and legal manner, their condition, rather than an assemblage
of either political or social conspirators and agitators. Almost the
worst contingency, however, has been anticipated, as there will be a
force of 40 policemen on the ground, the expense of the attendance of
20 of whom will be borne by the Miners' Association, whilst the
remuneration of the remaining 20 will be defrayed from the funds of
the borough watch rate.
In addition to this, many tradesmen barricaded their shop windows, and
an urgent request was made to the Mayor to have soldiers in readiness.
Mr J. Fowler stood in defence. His reply was characteristic, but
correct: "I know the pitmen better than you, and there is no fear." He
was borne out by the proceedings, which were in the highest degree
satisfactory. The first part of the procession came in at 7.30 A.M.,
and from first to last the most complete good order obtained. There
were in all 180 collieries present--the membership of the Association
being 32,000. The speakers were A. M'Donald, then President of the
National Association of Miners; W. Brown, Stafford; and T. Burt,
Northumberland. The local speakers were W. Crawford, W. H. Patterson,
H. Davison (Thornley), N. Wilkinson, T. Mitcheson, G. ("General")
Jackson, T. Ramsey, and W. Askew. The following resolutions were
submitted:--
1. The change which during the past twelve months has taken place in
the position of the Durham Miners' Association, both numerically and
financially, ought to be encouraging to all who take an interest in
its welfare. During that period differences, as in other places,
have arisen; but, so far, they have been managed without a single pit
having been stopped, or the loss of any work whatever. This is a
condition of things which, taken all together, ought to give the
utmost satisfaction to all parties concerned.
2. This meeting begs to utter its indignant protest against the
action of the Select Committee in the way they have amended the
Payment of Wages Bill. It at the same time most earnestly calls upon
Government to restore it to its original form by amendment whilst it
is under the consideration of the committee of the whole House. It
further begs to state that no measure will be satisfactory to the
miners of the county of Durham that does not contain payment of wages
weekly without any reduction whatever.
3. That this meeting also has learnt with surprise that it has been
stated that the miners of Durham do not want weekly payment of their
wages, and that they are not aggrieved with the present reduction.
They beg to give the statement, by whomsoever made, an unqualified
denial.
4. This meeting likewise looks upon the Criminal Law Amendment Act of
1871 as an insult to the working classes of this country. It at the
same time pledges itself to every legal means to have the law
repealed or so modified as that all classes in the country will be
alike in the eye of the law.
5. That this meeting regards arbitration as a logical way of settling
those differences which in trade necessarily arise between employers
and employed. Arbitration recognises the right of both parties to put
forth views, and leads to examination or investigation, which tends
to avoid strikes and lockouts, with all their commercial ruin and
social misery. It has now for a short time been in operation amongst
the miners of Durham, and we are able to speak to beneficial
results; and we most heartily wish to have a continuance and
extension of the principle.
6. That a copy of the foregoing resolutions be sent to the Prime
Minister and Home Secretary.
With this all too brief reference we must leave this, our first
race-course gathering. If anyone be desirous of reading a very full
description of the collieries attending, with their numbers on the
books, the banners with their inscriptions and designs, and the
speeches, let him refer to _The Durham Chronicle_ for June 21st of
that year. Suffice it here to say that the day was all that could be
desired. The old city was enlivened and its trade enhanced. The great
crowd came and went in good order. The fears of the fearful were shown
to be groundless, and the good behaviour initiated that day, amid the
firing of the cannons in Wharton Park, has never varied up to the last
of this series of gatherings. The cannons were fired at the expense of
T. Ramsey.
THE SECOND ADVANCE IN WAGES
On Friday, the 12th of July 1872, a meeting took place between the
employers' and workmen's representatives. The meeting was arranged in
response to a request for an advance of fifteen per cent. on the rate
of wages. Mr H. Taylor occupied the chair. The deputation was headed
by Mr W. Crawford. At the outset of the meeting the owners complained
that the men were neglecting work to a very great extent, causing a
diminution in the output of not less than twenty per cent. as compared
with the previous twelve months. Statistics showed that the average
working time of the hewers was not more than eight days per fortnight.
That entailed heavy loss on the owners, and while such neglect of work
continued they could not grant the advance asked for, and they
suggested the propriety of having a clause inserted in all agreements,
that the men should be compelled to work at least thirty-five hours
per week before claiming the highest price paid at the colliery. That
meant the system of bonus money paid at many collieries, and the
deputation emphatically refused it, and said they were not asking
because of the state of trade only, but because of the very low
condition of their wages which had obtained in Durham for so long, and
which they hoped to raise, even if trade became depressed. The
deputation was asked to retire, and on their return were handed the
following resolution:--
The Association [Owners'] has decided to give 10 per cent. advance to
all underground workmen, including banking-out men; but excepting
pony putters, who are to be dealt with after the putting question has
been settled in Northumberland; and 7½ per cent. to the whole of
the above-ground labour; enginemen, both above and below ground, to
be excepted. This advance to be on present prices, and to date from
the pay commencing nearest the first day of August.
This offer was brought before a special Council meeting held on
Saturday, the 13th, Mr John Forman presiding. The report of the
meeting with the employers was given by Mr Crawford, who went very
fully into the reasons why the advance of fifteen per cent. was
claimed. The Council adopted the following series of resolutions:--
1. That in the opinion of this meeting we are more than justified in
asking the 15 per cent. on present prices, which is being sought by
our Association. There never was a time when the price of coals
approximated to what they are at the present time, and in justice we
believe that we ought to fully share in that increase and increasing
prosperity. On the 8th day of the present month the following are
quotations from the London Coal Market:--Kelloe, 26s. 3d.; South
Hetton and Lambton, 27s.; and Hetton, 27s. 6d.
Having seen coals sold in the same market for as little as 13s. per
ton, or more than cent. per cent. less than now, we certainly
conclude that we are more than justified in seeking 6d. or even 1s.
out of 14s. or 15s. This being so, we abide by the 15 per cent. now
being asked for all classes of workmen, above and below ground.
2. That the owners be requested to meet our deputation on Friday next
for the purpose of reconsidering the 15 per cent. advance, or if
possible on a more early day.
3. That this meeting deplores the oft-repeated statement of coal
owners and others relative to the amount of work at present lost by
the miners in the county of Durham. We cannot with our present
knowledge admit the accuracy of these statements, but believe, on the
contrary, that such statements are very greatly overdrawn, and thus
an entire false impression is being conveyed to the public mind, and
a positive injury done to a large body of men. We have again and
again declared that in our opinion men ought to attend their work as
regularly as possible, believing that to do so is for the benefit of
themselves as well as the employers, and we again urge our members to
be as regular as possible in their attendance at work, so as alike to
benefit themselves and deprive all parties from so maligning them.
The adjourned meeting with the owners took place on Friday, July 19th,
when Mr H. Taylor again occupied the chair. The owners repeated their
complaint about the loss of work, and asked whether the deputation
were willing to give any guarantee that the men would in future work
more regularly. They could not give such a guarantee, but said their
Council meeting had agreed to recommend the men to work as regularly
as possible. With this assurance the owners then handed the following
resolution to the deputation:--
We have decided to give 15 per cent. advance to all underground
workmen--including banking-out men--except pony putters (who are to
be dealt with after the putting question has been settled in
Northumberland), and 10 per cent. to the whole of the above-ground
workmen, enginemen (both above and below) excepted. This advance to
be on present prices, and to date from pays commencing nearest to
Monday the 22nd and Monday the 29th of July.
The deputation were not satisfied with the reservation as to the
putters, and after some further discussion it was agreed to make the
advance applicable to them as to the other underground workmen.
FORMATION OF JOINT COMMITTEE
It will be interesting to give this important step in detail. It was
first mentioned in connection with certain meetings which were held
mainly on the wages question or the abolition of the yearly bond.
While discussing these matters Mr Crawford, on behalf of the
deputation, mentioned the advisability of forming a committee of six
on either side to consider local disputes and changes in wages. The
first formal action taken by the employers was on July 12th, 1872,
when the following resolution was adopted at their meeting:--
JOINT COMMITTEE.--Mr Crawford was also informed that on the motion of
Mr Lindsay Wood, seconded by Mr Hunter, a Committee consisting of the
following gentlemen:--Hugh Taylor, W. Stobart, W. Hunter, C. Berkley,
R. F. Matthews and Lindsay Wood had been appointed to meet a
Committee from the Miners' Union, to draw up rules for guiding the
Association in receiving demands from the workmen.
It was arranged with Mr Crawford, that the Committee from the Miners'
Union should meet the above-formed Committee at 10.30 on Friday, the
19th inst.
The suggested meeting was held on 19th July, when the following
recommendation was agreed to:--
JOINT COMMITTEE.--It was agreed to recommend--That six members of
each Association should meet every fortnight and discuss all demands
except cases of consideration in temporary bad places, the
consideration to be given in such places to be settled from fortnight
to fortnight by the agents of the collieries affected. All demands to
come through Mr Crawford, who is to give the agents of the colliery
and the Secretary of this Association, at least three clear days'
notice of the nature of the demands that it is intended to prefer at
the next meeting.
As a result of this recommendation a meeting was held on the 2nd of
August, and the first code of rules was arranged. The names of the
parties at the meeting are in the following list:--
_Owners_
Hugh Taylor.
W. Stobart.
Lindsay Wood.
John Taylor.
J. B. Simpson.
C. Berkley.
P. Cooper.
W. Hunter.
R. F. Matthews.
T. T. Smith.
_Workmen_
W. Crawford.
W. H. Patterson.
N. Wilkinson.
J. Jackson.
J. Forman.
T. Mitcheson.
R. B. Sanderson occupied the chair. The following rules were agreed
to:--
The object of the Committee shall be to arbitrate, appoint
arbitrators, or otherwise settle all questions (except such as may be
termed county questions or questions affecting the general trade)
relating to matters of wages, practices or working, or any other
subject which may arise from time to time at any particular colliery,
and which shall be referred to the consideration of the Committee by
the parties concerned. The Committee shall have full power to settle
all disputes, and their decision shall be final and binding upon all
parties in such manner as the Committee may direct.
The Committee shall consist of six representatives chosen by the
Miners' Union and six representatives chosen by the Coal Owners'
Association.
At meetings of this Committee it shall be deemed that there shall be
no quorum unless at least three members of each Association be
present.
Each meeting shall nominate its own chairman, who shall have no
casting vote. In case of equality of votes upon any question, it
shall be referred to two arbitrators, one to be chosen by the members
of each Association present at the meeting. These arbitrators to
appoint an umpire in the usual way.
Each party to pay its own expenses. The expenses of the umpire to be
borne equally by the two Associations.
Should any alteration of or addition to these rules be desired,
notice of such change shall be given at the meeting previous to its
discussion.
If any member of the Committee is directly interested in any question
under discussion, he shall abstain from voting, and a member of the
opposite party shall also abstain from voting.
When any subject is to be considered by the Committee, the Secretary
of the Association by whom it is brought forward shall give notice
thereof to the Secretary of the other Association, at least three
clear days before the meeting at which it is to be considered.
The Committee to meet every alternate Friday at half-past eleven
o'clock.
The first meeting of Joint Committee was held on 16th August. The
members were:
_Owners_
R. B. Sanderson, Chairman.
C. Berkley.
J. B. Simpson.
J. Taylor.
P. Cooper.
R. F. Matthews.
_Workmen_
W. Crawford.
W. H. Patterson.
J. Forman.
N. Wilkinson.
J. Jackson.
T. Mitcheson.
There were in all six cases, which, with their decisions, are as
follows:--
_August 16th, 1872._
MURTON (_Stonemen_).--Demand for an advance of from 6d. to 8d. per
day. To stand over for a fortnight to ascertain the average wages of
the district.
OAKENSHAW.--Demand for 1s. per score on the broken and a sliding
scale similar to that in the whole. The 1s. per score in the broken
was granted to date from (uncertain?).
The sliding scale was waived by Mr Crawford and his Committee.
SEAHAM.--Mr Matthews' report objected to,--referred, together with a
question of removing bottom coal (Mr T. Taylor was chosen arbitrator
by the Association); any concessions made by the arbitrators to date
from Monday the 19th August.
ETHERLEY.--Complaint that the banksmen and others have not received
the different advances granted by the Association. Mr Lishman was
desired to carry out the resolutions of the Association in their
entirety.
SOUTH DERWENT.--Complaint that the deputies have not got the 20 per
cent. advance. Mr Dickenson, having stated the circumstances of the
case and the wages paid, the complaint was withdrawn; it being
considered that the deputies are fully in the receipt of the advances
decided upon.
WARDLEY.--Longwall skirting.--This turned upon the question as to
whether it was intended by the arbitrators to include skirting in
their award of the 25th March 1872, but it was decided that it was
not so included, and that 8d. per yard extra should be given for
skirting.
SHIFTERS' WAGES.--Demand withdrawn.
RAMBLE.--To be considered at the next meeting.
It was agreed that full particulars of subjects to be discussed
before the meeting should be given at least three clear days before
the meeting.
THE MINES REGULATION ACT
In the session of 1871 a Mines Bill was under discussion, but was not
carried through its various stages. It was again introduced in the
session of 1872, and for a long time its fate was uncertain. Men from
all the districts were up lobbying on behalf of the Bill. Mr Crawford
was sent from Durham. A Council meeting was held on Saturday, 27th
July. While the meeting was in progress a telegram was received from
Mr Crawford as follows:--
Crawford, London, to Mr John Forman, Town Hall, Durham.--Many hours
in the Lords last night. Happily disappointed. Bill passed
satisfactory. Weighing clause safe. Boys ten hours from bank to bank.
A vote of thanks was carried to Mr Crawford, the Government, and to
the Home Secretary for the able manner in which he had conducted the
Bill through Parliament.
CLAIM FOR ADVANCE OF FIFTEEN PER CENT.
At the ordinary Council meeting held on Saturday, 7th September, the
number of members reported was 35,000. Mr Crawford gave the result of
a conference which had taken place with the coal owners with respect
to another advance of fifteen per cent. Nothing definite had been
done, as the employers were indisposed to comply with the request,
and it was adjourned for a fortnight. That meeting was held on Friday,
September 27th, in Newcastle. The deputation was informed that the
subject had been fully considered. Coals were falling in price, the
demand was declining, and the commercial prospects were assuming a
more unfavourable aspect, and therefore they could not give any
further advance in wages. The meeting terminated, but the deputation
expressed their dissatisfaction with the result, and they were
supported in their objection by a Council which was held on Saturday,
September 28th, and they were instructed to again meet the employers.
1873
The Mines Act--The third Advance--Death of "Tommy" Ramsey--The
drawing Hours--The second Gala--Advance in Wages
On January 1st the new Mines Act came into force. It is no part of
this history to enter into all the changes made by the new measure,
but there are three portions of it which deserve a brief notice--these
are the weighing of minerals, the position of the checkweighman, and
the hours of the boys.
The weighing of minerals clause was to provide against the "Rocking"
customs such as had obtained at the Brancepeth Collieries, and which
had caused the "Rocking" strike. The new Act set forth that:
Where the amount of wages paid to any of the persons employed in a
mine to which this Act applies depends on the amount of mineral
gotten by them, such persons shall, after the first day of August
one thousand eight hundred and seventy-three, unless the mine is
exempted by a Secretary of State, be paid according to the weight of
the mineral gotten by them, and such mineral shall be truly weighed
accordingly.
The clause further provided for deductions and for exemptions by the
Secretary of State from the weighing clause if it were proved that the
exigencies of the mine warranted it. In a note to this section Mr
Maskell W. Peace, Solicitor to the Mining Association of Great
Britain, warned the employers that: "This is an entirely new
enactment. Care must be taken to provide the necessary machines for
carrying out the provisions by the 1st of August 1872."
The portion of the Act relating to the appointment of the
checkweighman was a great advance in the direction of freedom of
choice. Prior to this the choice of the workmen was confined to those
employed on the colliery subject to the confirmation of the manager,
and the man chosen was as liable to be discharged as any other of the
workmen for any reason. The new Act provided that one of the workmen
could be chosen either from the mine or under the firm. He need not be
sanctioned by the manager, and could only be removed "on the ground
that such checkweigher has impeded or interfered with the working of
the mine, or interfered with the weighing or has otherwise
misconducted himself." The last provision gave rise to some very
glaring removals for acts done away from the mine. These anomalies
were corrected by the Act of 1887.
THE HOURS OF BOYS
There were two provisions in the new Act relating to the hours of
boys. One was for those between the ages of ten and twelve, and they
were for the purpose of employment in thin seams; their time was to be
for only "six hours in any one day." The other provision (which still
exists) was for boys between twelve and sixteen years. The weekly
hours were fixed at fifty-four. This latter provision was the cause of
some confusion, seeing the hours of drawing coal were twelve, and the
difficulty was to bring these boys away without interfering with that.
A very important Council was held in the Town Hall, Durham. There were
two questions before the meeting--first, the demand for fifteen per
cent. advance; and second, the working hours under the new Mines
Regulation Act. As stated in the review of the previous year, meetings
had been held on the advance in September, but the employers would not
give way, and asked us to wait. In consequence there was a very strong
feeling in the county which found expression at the Council. There was
some complaint that the Executive Committee had not been so energetic
in the matter as they ought to have been. Mr Crawford defended the
Committee. An attempt was made to increase the amount claimed to
thirty-five per cent., but in the end the original request was
confirmed. The question of the number of hours the pits should draw
coal was next considered. The employers were asking for eleven hours,
but this was felt to be difficult because of the Act in its
application to the boys under sixteen. There was a desire on the part
of many delegates that the coal drawing should be limited to ten.
During the discussion Mr Crawford said:
No more important question could occupy their attention than that
before the meeting. Not even the question of an advance exceeded it
in importance, because whether or not that was given a great deal
depended on how they settled the question of the hours. He might hold
views very different to what were entertained by many in that room,
but he was bound to state them. The question had occupied his
attention, and he was of the opinion that the owners would be unable
to keep the men fully employed for eleven hours. They had, however,
requested to be allowed to work those hours, and they had a perfect
right to do so if they could employ the men. At the same time, he did
not believe they could keep the men employed during the last hour
after the lads had gone to bank.
Eventually it was resolved that the employers should have the
unreserved right to draw coal eleven hours per day, providing they did
not violate the Mines Act relative to the boys under sixteen, nor keep
the men in the pit the last hour doing nothing.
The meeting with the employers on the advance was held on February
8th, Mr Hugh Taylor presiding. In a very long statement he reviewed
the state of the coal trade. He reminded the deputation that, although
there had been delay, there had not been any breach of faith. He
brought before them the question of short time, which was an evil not
only to those engaged in the coal trade, but to the country at large.
He urged again the request of the employers that there should be an
agreement binding men to work so many hours at the coal face. The
Mines Act had been passed. It did not satisfy anyone. All they asked
was that the men should do their duty. In the face of these
difficulties, but in the hope that the men would help them, they had
decided on an all-round advance of fifteen per cent.
There were some of the lodges who refused to carry out the eleven
hours' arrangement, and with a view to induce them to do so the
following circular was issued:--
TO THE MEMBERS OF THE DURHAM MINERS' ASSOCIATION
Fellow-workmen,--In the inauguration of any new system, difficulties
always occur; whether these difficulties are easily overcome, or
otherwise, will much depend on the manner and extent to which men, or
classes, are affected thereby. As a matter of consequence, we have
found these difficulties amongst ourselves in putting into operation
the new "Mines Regulation Bill."
These have arisen from various causes.
We have, first, a very erroneous impression gone forth, to the
effect, that after the commencement of the new Mines Bill, on the
first day of the present year, no pit, or no person in a pit, must
work more than 10 hours per day, or 54 hours in any one week. In the
Minutes of Committee Meeting, held on the 4th inst., we clearly and
distinctly stated that this view was a wrong one. We again beg to
emphatically state that the law, in this particular, affects only
boys under 16 years of age, and that so far as regards all parties
above this age, matters remain identically as they have been. It
would appear, however, that in the face of this intimation, some
collieries of men are still insisting on the general adoption of the
10 hours per day, and 54 hours per week. In addition to this, we have
existing at many collieries, both where men work two and three shifts
per day, difficulties as to what the working hours ought to be.
Under these circumstances, the owners asked your deputation to meet
them last week, for the purpose of discussing, and if possible
arranging, some understood mode of action. This meeting took place,
at Newcastle, on Friday last.
The first question asked was, what objection we had to owners working
their pits 11 hours per day, and 11 or 12 days per fortnight as
usual, so long as they did not violate the Act of Parliament relative
to boys under 16 years of age? After talking over the matter for a
long time, we retired, and in consulting among ourselves, failed to
see any reason why pits should not draw coals 11 hours per day as
heretofore they had done. We returned and told them that we could see
nothing to prevent them from working the pits 11 hours per day, if
they thought desirable to do so, and they could find men or boys to
bring the coals to bank; but that, in trying to carry this into
effect, they must not keep men laying at their work for the last hour
doing absolutely nothing, as, if such cases did occur, they would
most certainly be complained of, and a remedy sought by an appeal to
the Joint Committee, in which case they would be exposed to the
entire county throughout.
Respecting boys being brought into the pit an hour or two after work
commences, or sent home an hour or two before the pit is done at
night, we cannot see that any difficulties should exist. The question
was asked, should a boy be sent home for the first 5 days, having
worked less by far than the allotted 10 hours' per day, and such boy
should purposely remain at home on the Saturday, would such boy claim
his 5 days' pay, remembering that for 5 days he had worked short time
for the very purpose of going to work on the Saturday? To this the
owners demurred, when we suggested the desirability of seeing boys,
or their parents, and making with them necessary arrangements.
We may be told that the boys are sent home to suit the owner's
convenience, but we must not forget, for whatever purpose sent home,
that while they worked short time they were paid full hours, and we
certainly cannot see the wisdom of preventing boys from receiving 6
days' pay for working 54 hours, when, but a short time ago, they
worked 66 hours for the same money.
The employers, by Act of Parliament, are compelled to reduce the
working hours of boys under 16 years of age, but we cannot expect
them to reduce the hours of all datal men, if work can be found for
them for the ordinary time. We must not lose sight of one very
important fact, viz., that a reduction of working hours to those who
are paid a datal wage means an advance of price, a reduction of
hours, from 11 to 10 per day, is equal to 9 per cent., which
practically means 9 per cent. advance, seeing that the productive
powers are lessened by so much. In this manner it must be seen too,
that no boy under 16 years of age is allowed to be in the pit more
than 10 hours in any one single day, or 54 hours in any one week. If
this is strictly seen to, a great work has been accomplished, and
don't let us spoil that which is really good by trying to accomplish
too much.
Those lodges who object to the pit drawing coal 11 hours per day,
ought to bear in mind that a reduction to 10 hours is a very serious
curtailment in the drawing or producing powers of the pit, and as
such only tends to lessen the power of owners to pay good wages. The
profits arising from the produce of any article are up to a given
quantity consumed in paying current expenses; and, therefore, the
more the produce is restricted, the less means are there at command
wherewith to pay all classes of workmen. The disadvantages arising
from the operation of the new Mines Act must necessarily tell heavily
on the mine owners in the two Northern Counties, where the
double-shift system is worked, and it would be an act of
imprudence--not to say injustice--and materially militate against our
own interests, to increase drawbacks beyond an absolutely necessary
point. We would, therefore, strongly urge on all our associated
collieries to allow the employers (1) to work their pits 11 hours per
day, where they can find men or boys to keep them going that time,
without, of course, infringing the law, relative to boys under 16
years of age. And (2) to allow boys to be sent home on one or more
days, so as to make up six nine-hour shifts in the week. By this plan
no workman can lose, while the boys would materially gain thereby.
We have so far worked successfully, but that success has been
greatly, if not altogether, owing to the caution we have exercised,
and the general reasonableness of our requests, having at all times a
respect for the right, while we have tried to bring into active
operation the duties of capitalists. Let us not then mar that success
by an imprudent or forward act of ours, particularly at a time when a
change which must tell very severely on the interests of mine owners,
and which, moreover, is of our own seeking, is just being introduced
amongst us, and from which boys at least must gain immense
advantages.
By order of the Committee,
Wm. Crawford, _Secretary_.
Offices--16 North Road, Durham.
_Jan. 20th, 1873._
While these questions were claiming and received the attention of Mr
Crawford and his colleagues a foul attack was made upon him by G.
("General") Jackson of Nettlesworth. He published a number of letters,
which were not very choice in language, but prolific in the lowest
form of abuse. He spoke of "that fellow Crawford," "that bully" who
was feathering his nest by defrauding. This went on until the
Executive came to the defence of Mr Crawford. They published a
circular, pointing out the false charges which had been made, and that
Jackson was a member of the Committee during the period in which he
alleged the misappropriation of money had taken place. They reminded
him of the neglect of duty implied in his not exposing such things
before, and ended the circular by saying: "Further this Committee begs
respectfully to say that they have the greatest esteem for their
secretary, Mr Crawford, and are fully convinced that he has always
acted in harmony with the highest principles of moral rectitude."
On Thursday, 8th of May, the first of the pioneers who crossed the
border line, "Tommy" Ramsey, died at the house of his brother at
Blaydon at the age of sixty-two. He was buried in the cemetery at
Blaydon on Monday, the 12th. The number of people attending his
funeral was a proof of the high esteem in which he was held.
According to the account there were fifty of the Trimdon miners, where
he worked last, present, while from collieries around Durham large
numbers also attended. The procession was headed by the Blaydon Main
banner. We have made a note about him, as one of the leaders, but we
may add a few words from an obituary which was published at the time
of his death.
"Old Tommy," as his brother miners of every degree loved to call him,
was chiefly known to the pitmen at large as a Unionist. With a face
furrowed with care and the hardships of his laborious calling, and
scarred by many an accident in the pits, he was never afraid to stand
up before his brethren and agitate for that amelioration in the
condition of the working pitmen which has at length been conceded. His
style of oratory, if it were not strictly grammatical, was gifted with
a warmth of expression that told forcibly on his hearers of his own
class, and his perfect knowledge of the one subject he engaged
upon--the danger and the excessive toil of the miner's life--caused
him to be held in respect by masters and men alike. In every movement
that had for its object the freedom from the bondage the miner was
held in, Ramsey was always to the front, and none mourned in bygone
years more sincerely than he did the failure to establish on a firm
and lasting basis the Union, by which alone he maintained were they
likely to obtain their rights as workmen. When the present Association
was started, amongst the dozen delegates or so who assembled at the
Market Hall, Durham, bent if they could on forming a union, was "Old
Tommy"; and there he attended every meeting, when to be identified as
a delegate was to almost sign his own death warrant so far as
employment was concerned. "Men and brothers," he said, addressing a
public meeting near Thornley a few weeks after the Association was
formed, "I've been a Unionist all my days, and with the help of God I
will remain one to the end of the chapter."
At the Council meeting held on 31st May we have the first mention of a
hall for the use of the Association, with offices and agents' houses.
After a lengthy discussion the project was endorsed, the money to be
taken from the general funds, and the Executive were appointed a
Building Committee. The Committee immediately commenced operations by
purchasing a block of houses known as Monks Buildings, the site of the
Hall and houses, and offering a premium of £25 for the best design for
hall and offices. This was won by Mr T. Oliver, Architect, of
Newcastle.
The other important question was the eleven hours' drawing of coals.
The system received general condemnation. At the conclusion of the
consideration a very long resolution was adopted. It set forth that
when the Mines Act came into operation the workmen did not think it
right to curtail the producing powers of the pits, and they,
therefore, fell in with the views of the owners. Having tried the
system they had no hesitation in pronouncing it an utter failure on
the following grounds:--
"1. Because of the great difficulty, if not impossibility, of working
the pits full time on both the first and last hour of the day, thus
inflicting a positive injustice on large bodies of men. We have the
testimony of Lindsay Wood, Esq., in his evidence before the Coal
Committee that the system of eleven hours' work entails great danger
on the boys going and coming out of the mine while the pit is at full
work. We regret to say that this system has already borne fruit in
the slaughter of one or more boys in going and coming out of the mine
during the day. This being so we now find ourselves compelled to make
an emphatic appeal to the mine owners of the county to work their
pits only ten hours per diem in order to obviate both this injustice
and danger."
As I have said, it will not assist the history we have on hand if we
dwell upon the whole series of our galas, and therefore we will only
make a reference to the second one in the series. It was held on
Saturday, the 14th of June, and the gathering was larger than the year
prior. There were three platforms. The chairmen were J. Cowen, J.
Laverick, and J. Fowler. The speakers outside were P. Casey,
Yorkshire; A. M'Donald, Scotland; B. Pickard, Yorkshire; Lloyd Jones,
London; J. Shepherd, Cleveland; T. Burt, Northumberland; and R. Fynes,
Blyth, with the addition of the Executive Committee. The speeches need
not be referred to beyond the references by Mr Crawford, as indicating
the progress of the Association during the year. They had added 5000
to their numbers, bringing the membership up to 40,000, and they had
increased their funds from £12,000 to £34,000. They had proved their
leading principle was amicability. "That principle had been not to get
a thing because they had the power, but first of all to ask the
question was it right that they ought to have it."
The ordinary Council meeting was held in the Town Hall on July 26th.
It is important because of the attempt that was made to censure Mr
Crawford. For some weeks a personal controversy had been taking place
between Mr E. Rhymer and Mr Crawford. Mr Rhymer had complained that,
although the miners had invited him to the demonstration, yet Mr
Crawford had stood in his way. This was denied very strongly, and some
very curious epithets were applied to him (Mr Crawford) for making the
statement. At the Council a resolution was on the programme from Ushaw
Moor as follows:--
"That Mr Crawford receive three months' notice from next delegates'
meeting, for his behaviour to E. Rhymer and also the Bearpark men."
In a note he sent out with the programme he said "he was prepared to
account for all he had done in open day, and after that, if the
Association was so minded, he was prepared to leave them not in three
months, but in three days or three hours." The result of the
discussion was the withdrawal of the Ushaw Moor resolution and the
carrying of one from Hetton which not only exonerated him, but
expressed their high approval of his conduct and work in the county.
On the 4th of October a Council meeting was held. The object of the
meeting was to consider the advisability of applying for a twenty per
cent. advance. In the end the resolution was carried, and Mr Crawford
was instructed to arrange for a meeting with the employers. This
meeting was held on October 17th, but was refused by the owners, and
in refusing they intimated that, as the state of trade was, they would
shortly be making a claim for a reduction. The refusal was reported to
a special Council, when the deputation was again instructed to meet
the employers. The second meeting was held on November 14th. After the
question had been discussed the following resolution was handed the
deputation:--
"This Association cannot accede to the application of the Durham
Miners' Association for an advance in wages, but is prepared to refer
to arbitration the question of whether since the last settlement of
wages in February 1873 there has been such a change in the condition
of the Durham coal trade as to call for an alteration in the wages
now paid, and if so whether by way of advance or reduction and the
amount in either case."
This offer was discussed at a Council meeting, when the arbitration
was agreed to; but the submission was disapproved of, and the
Executive Committee instructed to draw up a counter proposal, to be
submitted to a subsequent meeting for approval.
Another meeting with the employers was held on Friday, the 12th of
December. At the conclusion of the meeting the employers intimated
that they would send their decision to Mr Crawford. On the 13th a
Council meeting was held. A letter was read from the employers, in
which they objected to accede to the request of the workmen for an
alteration of the submission they had proposed. After a further
discussion the following resolution was proposed:--
"Having fully considered the objections of the employers to our
suggested basis for arbitration we fail to see the soundness of such
objections. Nevertheless in order that no difficulties may arise in
carrying out this matter, we are willing to alter that basis by
leaving the question entirely open. Allowing both parties to bring
forward all reliant matter which may bear upon their respective
positions, leaving it to the arbitrator to say whether any advance
ought to be given and that the Durham Coal Owners' Association be
urgently requested to consider this matter on the earliest day
possible."
There are two matters which deserve a brief notice here, although not
essentially part of the Association. These were the Royal Commission
to inquire into the coal supply and the causes of the high prices, and
the rise of the Franchise Association. The former of these was
appointed on 21st February 1873 by the following resolution of the
House of Commons:--
"That a Select Committee be appointed to inquire into the causes of
the present dearness and duration of coal, and report thereon to the
House."
This Committee examined a large number of witnesses, including all
classes connected with the coal trade. The following is a portion of
their report:--
"1. Considering the great extent of the coal fields in Great Britain,
the number of collieries at work, and the variety of coals produced,
which though primarily used for particular purposes, will, at certain
prices, be used for others, your Committee, notwithstanding
intermittent and startling fluctuations in price due to temporary
causes, do not believe that any combination either of employers or
workmen can by artificial means succeed in permanently affecting the
ordinary results of the relations of demand and supply in adjusting
the quantity of coal produced to the demand, or can permanently
affect the price resulting from the state of the market; nor do your
Committee believe that the interference of Parliament with the course
of industry and trade in coal could produce any useful or beneficial
result to the public beyond what has been arrived at in recent
legislation, namely, the prevention of injury to the health and
morals of young children and young persons, and the prevention of
accidents from wilful neglect of recognised precautions.
"2. Much evidence has however been given to show the great increase
in the rate of wages, and the earnings of the working miners; but
whilst it is true that in some cases the earnings have enormously
increased, and have been improvidently spent, your Committee conclude
that in general the condition of the workmen has been much improved,
and that the rise in the rate of wages has not, under the exceptional
circumstances, been unreasonable, nor been unattended with
considerable benefit to the workers; indeed in some cases the workmen
have preferred improving the conditions under which they work to
increasing the amount of their wages in money.
"3. It is clearly shown that the real order of events has been the
rise in the price of iron, the rise in the price of coal, and the
rise in the rate of wages. The increased payment per ton for labour
employed in getting the coal cannot therefore be considered as the
primary cause of the large increase in the price of coal; a rise in
wages followed upon rather than preceded a rise in the price of coal.
To the extent to which increased rates of wages have induced workmen
to labour for a shorter number of hours than heretofore, resulting in
a reduced output per man, a higher payment for labour has contributed
indirectly in an important degree to maintain the high price of coal,
but having regard to the great danger to which coal miners are
exposed, and the character of their labour, the average rate of wages
in collieries has not been more than sufficient to attract the
requisite labour to the mine. The workmen, like all others connected
with coal mining, should only regard their present earnings as a
temporary profit, which may, at no distant day, approach towards
former rates."
With respect to the Franchise Association, during the year there was a
strong agitation in favour of an extension of the Franchise to the
householders in the county, as such had been done by the Act of 1868
to those in the borough. The spirit of reform found ready response in
the minds of the Durham miners, and a very active Association was
formed. Although incidental to the labour organisation, and with a
voluntary contribution, it was managed by the leading men in that
Association. The names found prominently in one are found in the
other. A Council meeting of the Miners' Association was held in
November of this year, at which it was proposed that Mr Crawford
should be nominated for one of the county divisions, and the matter
was remitted to the Franchise Association. There were but two of these
divisions at that time--the North and South, each having two members.
There was a General Election in prospect, and it was deemed advisable
to run Mr Crawford as a Liberal candidate. To anticipate a little, he
was duly put forward on Wednesday, the 28th of January 1874. His
candidature was publicly announced, but on Friday, the 30th, at a
meeting of the ex-Committee, he withdrew. His aim in so doing was to
avoid a division of the Liberal forces. There were two Tories in the
field and three Liberals, and it was highly necessary that this should
be avoided. This decision was reported to a Council held on the 31st.
There was a general consensus of opinion that he had acted wisely,
although the delegates regretted the necessity. Some of them had
brought money--as much as £30 in one instance--towards the election
expenses. A resolution was adopted which had for its object the
formation of an election fund with the view to strengthen the hands of
the Franchise Association, and it was agreed that whenever there was a
vacancy in the county, where there was a chance of success, he should
be at once brought forward.
1874
The first Reduction--Co-operative Colliery--The Strike of 1874--The
Wheatley Hill Revolt and Evictions--Second Reduction--First
Arbitration
We finished 1873 with a demand for an advance and a difference as to
the submission for a reference to arbitration. During the interval the
trade had declined to such an extent that the employers sent a claim
for a reduction, and thus the young Society was beginning to find
itself entering its first dark cloud of depression. Up to that moment
the booming times arising out of the Franco-Prussian War had been with
it, but now the relapse which generally follows a fever in trade had
set in, and the demand for coals had fallen off seriously; and whereas
a month or two previously they had expected another advance, it was
felt by Mr Crawford and his colleagues that it would not be possible
to stave off a reduction.
Before coming to the consideration of the first reduction let us, for
the sake of chronological order, note one or two matters of some
importance. The first of these is the demand for men being trained
before being left to themselves in a mine. At the Council meeting held
on Saturday, 21st March, the following resolution was carried:--
"We have again to protest against the introduction of strangers into
our mines--men to whom mining with all its dangers is thoroughly
unknown, whereby the limbs and lives of other men are constantly
endangered. We therefore emphatically ask the owners to put such men
under the care of some practical miner for a period of not less than
six months, who will be responsible for any danger arising from such
person's ignorance of mines."
Another point worthy of note was the resolve to join in the movement
to form a co-operative mining company. At the Council meeting on 4th
April it was resolved:
"That we take £5000 out of the General Fund, and invest it in the
Co-operative Mining Co., as we believe productive co-operation to be
the only solution to the many difficulties that exist between
Capital and Labour."
At the same Council a copy of the owners' request for a reduction was
read. It conveyed the decision of their full meeting: "That the state
of the Durham Coal Trade imperatively calls for a reduction of twenty
per cent. in all colliery wages, both above and below ground, to take
effect from the 18th of next month." A meeting was held between the
two Associations on the 16th of April, when the employers stated the
reasons for their demand. They held "(1) that there was no connection
between profit and wages, and the workmen had, therefore, no
legitimate right to interfere in such a matter; (2) that trade was
vastly more dull, and prices materially less, than was supposed; (3)
that in various parts of our own country and also in Germany,
reductions had taken place, in the latter 25 per cent., and having to
compete in the same markets with firms and districts so brought down,
they had no choice but to enforce the reduction."
This was brought before a Council meeting on April 25th, but the
delegates refused to discuss it then, and referred the question to a
special meeting to be held on the 29th. Steps were taken to prepare
for a stop should a reduction take place, and men were arranged to
visit various districts. Those going to Ireland and Scotland had £30
each. The owners had in the meantime given notice at certain
collieries, and the workmen were told to remain at their own
collieries. On the 27th the Executive Committee issued the following
circular:--
April
27th, 1874.
Fellow Workmen,--According to arrangement, Messrs Patterson,
Wilkinson and Crawford, saw Messrs Burt and Nixon yesterday, and from
information received it appears that the 10 per cent., or a reduction
from 50 to 40, has to affect ALL, both above and below ground.
We cannot but call your attention to our present position. The
adjoining county, much more compact than ours, and many years older
in organisation,--two elements of strength and power,--have just
accepted a reduction of wages. Miners, immediately south of us,--West
Yorkshire,--have expressed their willingness to accept a reduction of
12½ per cent. on wages all round. This, however, the owners
refused to accept. They seek a reduction of 25 per cent., and the
matter is, therefore, going to arbitration. With these facts before
us, is it possible that we can, at the present time, by any means,
which we might adopt, altogether stave off a reduction, more or less,
without referring it to arbitration, in some way or other? We will
not attempt to point out all the terrible effects which must arise
from anything like a general strike. Many of you experimentally know
the direful effect and heartrending destitution which has arisen from
partial strikes amongst ourselves. Suppose a general stop now ensues,
what are the probabilities of success? Can we make our efforts
successful? Suppose we should strike against a receding market, and a
surplus number of men, and lose, what would be the consequences?
These are questions worthy your earnest consideration, because on
them depend your WEAL or WOE for years to come.
We have to-day very fully thought over the matter, and considering
everything, we think it wise, if not absolutely necessary, to make
some advances, with a view to a settlement of this important
question. We, therefore, strongly advise that an offer of 10 per
cent. reduction be made to the owners; and should they refuse this,
let the whole matter go to arbitration. If arbitration be offered and
accepted, we would suggest the appointment of two men on both sides,
and let these four men find a basis or starting-point for
arbitration. Should they fail to agree as to what such basis ought to
be, let the matter go to an umpire, appointed by the four
arbitrators.
Let no one regard this as in the slightest degree dictatorial. We
have too much respect for your collective judgment to attempt
anything of the kind. But we think it our duty to point out that, if
not careful, we may drift amongst shoals and quicksands, which may
endanger the very existence of our Association. And if this should
come to pass, we need not name--not our probable, but certain
condition, for years to come.
On the 29th of April the special Council was held, which approved of
the Committee's circular by offering a reduction of ten per cent. This
decision was conveyed by telegram to Mr Bunning, the employers'
secretary. No sooner was it known in the county than a general protest
was made, not only by the miners, but by the mechanics and enginemen.
They objected to being included in the reduction. These bodies held
meetings in Durham on the race-course on May 2nd, and passed
resolutions not to accept any reduction. The spirit of revolt was
rampant in the county amongst the members of the Miners' Association.
Meetings to protest against it were held throughout the county.
Circulars were sent out by District Councils, in which the Executive
Committee was held up to ridicule. To these the agents replied, boldly
pointing out the danger of the course which was being adopted and the
disaster which would assuredly follow if more moderate action were not
taken. Some of the members of the Executive Committee were found
amongst the protestors and the loudest in their condemnation of Mr
Crawford, who came in for a large share of abuse. It was calculated
that at one of those meetings in Houghton there were 10,000 people
present. On May 5th the coal owners held a meeting. The resolutions
dealt mainly with the action of the enginemen. From these the
employers offered to accept five per cent. if acceded promptly, but no
man should be allowed to work for less reduction than that offer.
During the owners' meeting a telegram was read from Mr Crawford as
follows:--
"For reasons previously given both to the Standing Committee and full
meeting of owners, we shall begin on Monday to work five days per
week or pits be laid idle on Saturday, so far as the working and
drawing of coal is concerned."
To that telegram the owners sent the following reply:--
"The Provisional Committee give notice to the Durham Miners'
Association that unless the Owners' Association receive before the
end of the week a satisfactory assurance that collieries will
continue to work the same number of days per fortnight, as
heretofore, they will advise the Coal Owners' Association to insist
upon the full twenty per cent.--first demanded; such demand only
having been withdrawn on the condition that no change whatever was to
be made in the usual mode of working."
On the 7th of May a Council meeting was held, when the ten per cent.
was under consideration. By a majority of 15 the delegates decided in
favour of the ten per cent., 112 voting for it and 97 against. This
brought the dispute to an end so far as the wages were concerned.
The strike, if it could be called such, was of the most desultory
kind, there being a division as to the acceptance of the ten per cent.
reduction. It is generally known as the "Week's Strike"; but even the
Executive were in ignorance of the time off, and sent out a slip
asking the lodges to tell them "what number of days they were off,
when they stopped, and when they resumed work and the reasons why they
were off." The returns show that there were none off more than a week.
None of them were entitled to strike pay seeing that a colliery had to
be off a fortnight before they could claim. The Executive by their
Minute of June 5th, 1874, said the strike commenced on May 8th and
ended on the 14th.
The strike being settled generally, all the collieries commenced work
except Wheatley Hill, Thornley, and Ludworth. These were in a peculiar
position. For some time they had been ten-day collieries, and at
Wheatley Hill the hours of stonemen, shifters, and wastemen had been
six every day. When the strike ended the Executive Committee sent word
out to the county that work should be resumed under the same
conditions as obtained before the strike. The workmen at the three
collieries claimed they should work the ten days. That position the
following Minute of the Executive Committee bears out:--
"We have again had the case of Thornley, Ludworth and Wheatley Hill
brought before us, and beg to give the following statement: As will
be understood by all lodges, before the stop these places were
working ten days under protest. After the settlement of the working
days matter at our Council, the question arose between the manager
and men whether these were ten or eleven day collieries, the men
holding to the former, while the manager held to the latter. On
Friday, May 15th, Mr Bunning telegraphed, stating that the owners
still held these to be eleven-day places. We replied that they had
been working ten days under protest, and that in some way or other
they ought to recommence on the same conditions."
The three collieries, on the strength of the notice to resume work,
corroborated by the above Minute, refused to start except as ten-day
collieries. The owners offered arbitration, but conditioned it by
asking for the men to work eleven days, and suspended the Joint
Committee until the case was settled. The letter from Mr Bunning
contained the words: "The action of the Thornley etc. men renders the
resumption of the Joint Committee impossible," and asked whether the
Executive were supporting them or not. The men were willing to go to
arbitration, but asked to be allowed to start at the ten days. The
Executive ordered them to work on the employers' terms, summoned a
representative from each colliery to the Committee, and sent out large
deputations to attend meetings. Still the men stood firm. On Monday,
June 1st, the evicting of the men from the houses commenced. A very
large contingent of "Candymen" were imported, and a force of seventy
or eighty policemen, in charge of Superintendent Scott, to maintain
order. There never was an occasion where better humour prevailed
throughout and where there was so little need of police. It would
afford a break in this dry matter-of-fact history if some of the
incidents were related: how a Jew who had come to gather his
fortnightly instalments wrung his hands, and, Shylock-like, cried
about his "monish"; how some of the women were to carry out in
arm-chairs, and one of them stuck hat pins in the Candymen, to the
hilarity of all but themselves; how once in a while a "Candyman," sick
of the work, broke through the crowd, and ran off, chased by the
police and the cheers of the crowd; and how the people dwelt in tents
for three weeks, having continuous sunshine by day and jollity by
night, making a continual round of "picnicking."
We must, however, leave the pleasurable for the historical. The lodge
made an attempt at Council to get strike pay on an appeal against the
Committee. The merits of the case were with them, but their case was
prejudiced by the temper of the delegate, Mr J. Wood. During the
discussion of the question some contention rose as to Wood (who could
write shorthand) taking notes. Mr Wilkinson (the treasurer) expressed
himself in doubt as to Wood's honesty, and the latter struck at the
treasurer on the platform--the consequence being the Council decided
against, and the men were left to their own resources.
An attempt was made to settle the strike by the Rev. W. Mayor of
Thornley. He called upon some of the leading men, and asked them to
meet Mr Cooper, the manager, who with Mr Bunning agreed to allow the
pit to resume work on the old conditions with regard to the number of
days, and that the dispute should be left to the two Associations. The
arrangement was come to on the Monday, and on the Tuesday the horses
and ponies were sent down, and about 100 men commenced. It then
transpired that Mr Cooper objected to three of the leading men, and
the men alleged that there had been some reduction in prices. The
result was the stoppage again. The dispute was as to the submission
for the arbitration. The difference lay in this: the owners wanted the
men to start as an eleven-hour colliery, and then arbitrate. The
workmen were willing to start as at ten hours, and arbitrate. In the
end that was accepted. The arbitrators decided that the men were right
in considering their collieries ten-day collieries and refusing to
resume work except as such; but they concluded that the collieries
should work eleven days, "although at the same time we strongly
censure the conduct of Mr Cooper, the manager, throughout the entire
struggle." They further awarded that the whole expense of the
arbitration should be borne by the owners, thus proving the men to be
right in their contention as to starting.
[Illustration: WILLIAM CRAWFORD, M.P.]
We now come to the second claim for a reduction in wages. On July 17th
Mr Crawford read to the Committee a resolution he had received from
the employers making a claim for a reduction:
"That the Durham Coal Miners' Association, through Mr Crawford, be
informed that the associated Coal Owners consider that it is
necessary to reduce wages substantially and promptly. That
the amount of such reduction, as well as the date of the
commencement, will be considered by the owners on the 7th day of
August next, and that in the meantime the Association will be ready
to give their best consideration to anything the representatives of
the workmen may desire to lay before it."
To this request the Executive Committee could not accede, and on 7th
August the employers sent another claim for a reduction of twenty per
cent. They said "that the best policy to pursue in the exigencies of
the trade, and to restore the activity of the coal and iron trades,
was for the men to submit to a twenty per cent. reduction." In the
event of the workmen not agreeing to such a reduction the owners would
be prepared to leave the whole case to the arbitration of any
gentleman mutually appointed, each party being left free to produce
such evidence as they may think fit and satisfactory, arrangement
being made for prompt decision, and for securing the operation of the
arbitrator's award from the 29th of this month.
Mr Crawford was instructed by the Executive Committee to inform the
employers that, while they did not offer any opinion on the reduction,
they would call the attention of the owners to the last portion of
their resolution, wherein the date of the reduction was fixed, and
said:
"In seeking advances we never yet fixed a date, even when coal was
going up in an unparalleled manner and certainly very much more
rapidly than ever it has come down. Both in March last and now you
wish to fix the date in what seems to us rather an arbitrary manner.
Had we in seeking advances pursued this course, you would have been
more than justified in doing the same thing, but having pursued a
course diametrically opposite, we fail to see the grounds of your
justification for the course you are at present pursuing."
A Council meeting was held on August 22nd, when the first question
discussed was the owners' application for the twenty per cent.
reduction. The following resolution was carried:--
(1) We cannot see where in the Cleveland, or the Coasting, or other
markets the prices of coal and coke are down sufficiently low to
warrant a further reduction of wages. (2) The stacking of coal and
coke may be made to have--but ought not to have--any very material
effect on the workmen's wages, seeing that, if too much is being
produced, we have no objection to be put on short time, or any other
fair process whereby a reduction of wages can be averted.
We fail to see why the employers ought to seek arbitration. We are
now in the same position which they were in during the last two and a
half years. They were at that time so fully certain that trade would
not give any further advance that arbitration was pointedly refused.
We are now so sure that the present, as compared with past prices of
coal and coke, does not warrant any further reduction, that we think
arbitration is only an unnecessary waste of time and money, causing
no end of annoyance without any good resulting therefrom.
This resolution was sent, accompanied by a demand for fifteen per
cent. advance, to the employers, who held a meeting on 28th August,
under the presidency of Mr Stobart, for the purpose of considering it
and what action they should take. After considerable discussion a
resolution was passed to enforce the twenty per cent. reduction and to
give the men fourteen days' notice, to expire on the 19th of
September, seeing that their claim and arbitration had been refused.
The notices were issued in keeping with that resolve, but not to all
men alike. The form of notice was as follows:--
On behalf of----Colliery I do hereby give you notice to determine
your existing hiring on the nineteenth day of September eighteen
hundred and seventy-four, and that the wages and prices heretofore
paid at this colliery will from that date be reduced to the rate of
twenty per cent. and that if your service be continued, it must be on
these terms.
In these circumstances the Executive Committee issued a circular and
called a special Council. The lodges were asked to send their
delegates prepared to discuss and decide upon three questions:
"1. Ought bankmen, horsekeepers, furnacemen, etc., to give in their
notices?
"2. Ought collieries of men (hewers included) who have not received
any notice to give in their notices?
"3. The matter of arbitration."
We will quote a portion or two of the circular. It is very serious and
impressive:
"It must be clear to all that we are passing through the most
important crisis which has marked the history of the present
organisation on the need or otherwise of a further reduction; we here
offer no opinion, that being a matter which will take the collective
wisdom of the county to determine. We wish, however, to point out
what seems to us to be one of two ultimatums to the present
unpleasant condition of matters in the county. If a stolid and
unreasoning resistance be persevered in, a strike is inevitable. We
feel certain that nothing can or will prevent a stop. How long such
struggle might continue it is impossible to say. But whether it might
be for a longer or a shorter period an immense amount of suffering
would be entailed. We want you therefore to very carefully consider
the whole matter. View the entire position with an unbiased mind,
not from the standpoint of mere abstract justice, but from that of
probabilities or even possibilities. We are offered arbitration. If
we refuse, the press and public will most assuredly say that our
position is untenable. If we persistently refuse to submit the entire
matter to arbitration, we must prepare to cope with the following
difficulties in conducting a struggle.
"(1) The strongest combination of employers the North of England ever
saw.
"(2) Stacks of coal and coke laid up in every direction of the
county.
"(3) Coal and coke brought from other districts to supply what we may
be short of supplying from our own heaps.
"(4) The press and public opinion would be against us."
The dispute was brought to an amicable settlement by the whole
question being referred to open arbitration. By that decision the
Association passed out of the era of negotiations into that of
arbitration re underground wages. As that was the first step in the
path of conciliation it may be useful to give in detail the
proceedings. The inquirer after further information may very usefully
consult the printed proceedings of the case. There were for
arbitrators Mr G. Leeman and Mr D. Dale acting for the owners, and Mr
L. Jones and Mr T. Burt for the workmen. The case was conducted by Mr
W. Armstrong and Mr L. Wood (now Sir Lindsay Wood) on behalf of the
employers. Mr W. Crawford and Mr J. Forman were for the employed.
There were with these arbitrators and conductors other gentlemen,
whose names we can find no record of either in the press, the owners'
books, or in ours.
The first meeting was held on Tuesday, 13th October, in the Queen's
Head Hotel (now the Liberal Club), Newcastle. After a long sitting the
case was adjourned until the 15th, when Mr Forman on behalf of the
workmen, and because there had not been sufficient time to prepare a
reply to the employers' case, asked for an adjournment. Mr Crawford
said they had "sat twenty-eight consecutive hours, and never moved the
whole of the time." It was therefore decided to adjourn until the
16th. During the discussion Mr Crawford made the request that the
owners should produce their books in order that both costs of
production and the selling prices of coal might be obtained. The
fourth day's proceedings was held on the 19th. The arbitrators met on
the 26th in London. Failing to agree, they agreed to refer the
question to the Right Hon. Russell Gurney, M.P., whom they met on the
30th in the Abbey Hotel, Malvern. On November 3rd he gave his award.
Without giving the whole of the award it will be explained by a
quotation from a circular sent out by Mr Crawford: "The reduction is
as follows:--At present time our advances amount to 43 per cent. over
1871 prices. This by Mr Gurney's award is reduced to 30. That is a
reduction of 9 per cent. on the gross wages and will take effect from
Monday, November 2nd."
At that time the attention of the county was turned to the sanitary
condition of the mining villages. The Committee took a return in which
they asked eleven questions:
"What is the size of your best houses? What size are the rooms, and
how many to a house? Size of single houses? Is there attached to your
houses or on the colliery any private accommodation? Are there any
channels or underground sewers to take away the dirty water and other
refuse made in the houses? Are the houses damp and incompatible with
health, or dry and healthy? Are there many of the members who have
houses of their own? What number of double and single houses have
you? Have you a good or bad supply of water and whence supplied? What
is your school accommodation, national or colliery? Have you a
Mechanics' Institute? Is it colliery or private property? Are there
any gardens to the houses?"
On Saturday, November 7th, the owners made a claim for a reduction
from all the men at bank. This was before the Executive Committee.
They by resolution expressed their surprise, and their opinion that
they had not been treated fairly, as the employers ought to have dealt
with the classes now to be affected in the arbitration just concluded.
They considered that "such a mode of procedure cannot but have an
injurious effect on that good and desirable understanding which has so
long existed between the two Associations." The owners gave the
surface men notice to terminate their engagement on 12th December. A
special Council meeting was called. The questions to be decided
were--first, should the Miners' Committee act for the cokemen,
seeing those men were forming an association of their own, and over
two-thirds of that class had joined it? Of the other classes three
questions were asked: "Ought these men to follow Russell Gurney's
award? Ought the reduction to be resisted or ought arbitration to be
sought?" The Council decided on Saturday, December 5th, that the
Cokemen's Association meet the employers themselves, but "that the
members of the Joint Committee should meet them on the banksmen,
screeners, labourers, etc." The arrangement come to by the Joint
Committee was:
"The banking-out men having been generally classed with the
underground men, should in all cases be dealt with strictly according
to the terms of Mr Gurney's award, that is, remain 30 per cent. in
excess of March 1871 and it was recommended that the case of men
earning less than 3s. per diem be left to the consideration of
individual owners."
There are two matters not dealt with in the general statement of this
year. These are the appointment of Mr Forman as permanent president on
2nd May and the appointment of the first clerk. The first was Mr A.
Hall Shotton; but his stay was short, and he was succeeded by Mr W.
Golightly, who was in the office for over thirty-one years.
[Illustration: W. GOLIGHTLY]
1875
The third Reduction--Co-operative Colliery--The demand for better
Houses--The fourth Reduction
Early in the year the Association was called upon to face another
reduction in wages. The Executive Committee had sent some requests
with respect to hewers putting in the foreshifts and working hard
places. The owners sent a reply on January 15th refusing the requests,
and at the same time saying, such things being asked of them in
depressed times were offensive, and would not have to be repeated. In
the same letter Mr Crawford was told that the employers had that day
"unanimously decided to ask for a reduction in the wages of all men
employed about coal mines and that the Standing (Joint) Committee be
instructed to discuss the matter of such reductions and the date when
it should commence."
To this the Executive Committee replied that they would pass over the
question of reduction as it was premature to interfere with it, but
they complained of the tone of the letter sent to them, which was very
unbecoming, to say the least. They had a perfect right to send the
requests. No doubt they were annoying. "But however annoying a request
properly made may be, it ought, in keeping with the common courtesies
of life, to be denied without imperiousness. It was annoying to them
as workmen to receive an application for a reduction."
The response to that reached Mr Crawford on the 30th. It informed him
that they (the owners) felt it needful to claim such reduction as will
leave the wages of both underground and surface men ten per cent. in
excess of 1871, to take effect from the pay ending 13th March. Mr
Bunning added: "As it is our usual custom not to carry out a
resolution of this nature without first having a consultation with
you, I am requested to ask you to make such arrangements with your
clients as may enable you to meet our Committee at an early date to
decide."
A special Council meeting was called for the 6th of February to
consider whether a deputation should meet the employers; if so, how
many and whom they should be. The Council decided that as a deputation
the members of the Joint Committee should meet the employers, and Mr
Crawford was deputed to go to South Wales to inquire into the
condition of things amongst the miners there.
At an adjourned Council held on February 10th it was again considered,
and the following resolution carried:--
In looking at the last reduction, and the undue advantage the coal
owners have taken on us in making a call on the bankmen so soon after
the arbitration case, that we in future entertain no more reductions
on one separate class of workmen, without knowing their intentions as
to the rest of the workmen in our Association.
The meeting with the employers took place on 16th February, when six
reasons were given by them why the reduction was needed: Many
collieries were working at ruinous losses; a terribly increased cost
of production; at many collieries the men were restricting their work;
a greatly increased number of men were needed; the increased cost
owing to the great decrease in the working hours; and the fact that Mr
Gurney's award was delayed two months.
The employers again issued notices, but not to all men or all
collieries. The Committee immediately called a Council, and drew the
attention of the lodges to two resolutions which were passed on April
21st and December 5th, 1874.
That in future when there are notices given for a reduction of wages
throughout the county, and where a colliery or collieries of men do
not get their notices, they be requested to give them in.
Where men who are members of our Association and who have not
received notice should these refuse to give in their notices, their
names be struck from our books and never again re-entered.
In addition to this the Committee issued a circular in which they
reviewed the condition of trade, and pointed out that in many
districts life and death struggles were taking place. These men were
being supported by voluntary contributions from other mining districts
and the public. If Durham came out large support would be cut off, and
the state here rendered more dangerous. In Northumberland and
Cleveland arbitrations were proceeding. There was only two weeks'
money in the funds, therefore the best policy was to accept
arbitration. Facing these circumstances they advised the acceptance of
arbitration. The employers would be compelled to show sufficient
reasons for a reduction. If this were not done no umpire would reduce
the wages. This advice was accepted at the Council on 8th March, and
it was resolved to refer the whole matter to arbitration on the prices
and wages ruling at hearing of the last case, that Mr L. Jones and W.
Crawford be arbitrators, and the preparing and conducting of the case
be left to the Executive Committee. On March 10th they met the
employers, and made arrangements for the proceedings and the
withdrawal of the notices, and they informed the members that in every
case where the workmen had given notices they must at once be
withdrawn.
The first meeting on the arbitration case was held on April 15th in
the Queen's Head Hotel, Newcastle. The Right Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P.,
was the umpire. The arbitrators for the employers were Mr W. Armstrong
and Mr D. Dale; for the workmen Mr L. Jones and Mr W. Crawford. The
case was a dual one, a combination of the Miners' and Cokemen's
Associations. The latter agreed to accept the statement made by the
employers in the miners' case and then put in a separate reply. The
following was the order of the procedure:--The employers stated their
case. Then the miners replied on the first day. Second day, the
owners' reply to the miners, the miners' rejoinder; the cokemen's
reply to the employers, then their reply to the cokemen. The third
day's sitting was taken up by the cokemen's rejoinder. The same
arbitrators acted in both cases, but Mr Jackson Wilson presented the
cokemen's case. The umpire gave his award on the 23rd of April--the
reduction being five per cent. from the underground wages and four per
cent. from those of the surface men.
At the Council meeting held on May 4th a resolution was carried urging
upon the Miners' National Association to use their influence to have
established an important Board of Arbitration, such Board to say:
"First, what amount of interest ought to be claimed for capital
invested in coal-mining operations; secondly, whether or not the books
showing the profit and loss accounts of the employers ought to be laid
before the Arbitrators in deciding a matter in dispute as to the rise
or fall of the wages of their workmen; and thirdly, what portion of
the profits ought to go to the capitalist and what portion to the
labourer."
The programme for a Council meeting held on 21st August 1875 contained
a resolution dealing with the providing of a better class of houses.
"That we appeal to the owners to have better houses right throughout
the county for the members of the Durham Miners' Association, and not
to make such difference between brakesmen and members of the
Association. We believe that one man has the same right to a good
house as another."
In the balance sheet for the first quarter of the year is found an
item relating to the Coop Colliery--3100 shares in the Coop Mining
Company, £15,500. For some time, and especially during 1874, the idea
of a co-operative mine had been agitating the two northern counties.
Meetings were held in various parts, addressed chiefly by gentlemen
from Northumberland. The idea fell upon good ground in Durham, for
from time to time it was found on the Council programme, and, so far
as the Association is concerned, bore fruit in the shares mentioned.
The fruit was not merely collective, but on every hand those who could
took out shares, even to the extent of all their savings. The
Committee of management were:
Dr J. H. Rutherford, Chairman.
Mr T. Burt, M.P.
Mr J. Nixon.
Mr R. Young.
Mr J. Brown.
Mr R. Cramon.
Mr W. Crawford.
Mr J. Forman.
Mr W. H. Patterson.
Mr J. Byson.
Mr G. Fryer.
E. Lowther, Secretary.
--all good men, and, if it could have been established, would have
been. They were all tried co-operators and ardent believers in
productive co-operation. But the enterprise was doomed from the first.
The name of the colliery was Monkwood, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire.
On the 25th of September 1875 the Committee submitted a balance sheet
for the year ending 30th June. The auditors were Benson, Eland & Co.
They informed the members that after depreciation as per rule the net
loss up to date was £10,863, 15s. 8d. The Committee in presenting the
balance sheet said it had arisen from circumstances over which they
had no control. The output of the colliery had never reached to their
anticipations. The cost of production, and the unsatisfactory state in
which the Society found the colliery, had occasioned the loss. The
vendor had not truthfully represented the output. They had filed a
Bill in Chancery against him for the recision of the contract and the
return of the purchase money. The loss to Durham was £15,500.
On 6th November the ex-Committee was called upon to face the fourth
reduction. They received a letter on that date from the employers
conveying to them a demand for twenty per cent. reduction from all
underground earnings, including banksmen, and twelve and a half per
cent. off all above-ground labour, to take effect from the 27th. The
Committee replied protesting against the imperative way in which the
demand was made, and resolved to ask the county whether a deputation
should attend Newcastle to hear the reasons assigned for the
reduction. The county agreed to send a deputation and offer open
arbitration, the deputation being the Joint Committee, and that a
Council meeting be held on the 27th to hear the report. The Committee
met the owners on Monday, the 22nd, and the offer of open arbitration
was accepted, the Court to consist of four arbitrators and an umpire.
1876
Death of Burdon Sanderson--Appointment of Mr Meynell--The third
Arbitration--The General Treasurer and Executive--The new
Hall--Deputies' Association
JOINT COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN
In January 1876 the Joint Committee chairman, Mr R. B. Sanderson, was
in a serious railway collision on the Great Northern Railway at Abbots
Ripton. He was not killed outright, but was so seriously injured that
he died shortly afterwards. He was the first chairman, and sat all
through the meetings up to his death. The Joint Committee at their
meeting on January 28th passed a resolution paying high respect to his
character and to his ability and impartiality in his decisions. From
that time until 11th September the chairman was selected from the
meeting _pro tem_. On that date Mr Meynell was appointed, and from
that time until his death in 1900 he occupied that position to his
credit and with fairness to everyone concerned. It would be incorrect
to say that no fault was ever found with him; but it is well known
that at his death all who had been at the Joint Committee regretted
it, and he has been sorely missed, because he had years of
experience--experience which is worth a great deal in that position.
The proceedings in the arbitration did not proceed further in 1875,
but rested over until January 1876. The arbitrators were the same as
in the previous case, and the umpire chosen by them was C. H. Hopwood,
M.P. The advocates for the owners were Mr H. T. Morton, Mr Lindsay
Wood, and Mr T. Wood Bunning, the Secretary of the Owners'
Association, and for the workmen Mr J. Forman and Mr W. H. Patterson.
The names of the Committee who assisted were:
N. Wilkinson.
J. Holliday.
M. Thompson.
W. Prentice.
G. Parker.
J. Cummings.
C. Kidd.
C. Cooper.
J. Crowther.
F. Smith.
G. Jackson.
J. Day.
G. Newton.
The first meeting was held on Tuesday, 18th January 1876, in the
Queen's Head Hotel, Newcastle. There were two days' sittings. At the
close of the sittings in Newcastle the arbitrators and umpire held a
meeting in London on 16th February, when the umpire gave his award
that there should be a reduction of seven per cent. underground and
four per cent. on the surface.
Out of this case and the meeting in London there arose a serious
disturbance. The treasurer (Mr Wilkinson) refused to pay the Committee
for going to London. He alleged that they went without authority. They
went on the vote of seven out of seventeen members of the Committee,
the rest being either absent or lying neutral. Their going, he said,
was a waste of public money. He finally showed there had been an
extravagant expenditure and charges for unnecessary meetings. Along
with his explanation he sent out a detailed statement in which it is
shown that for one fortnight they had received sums varying from £7,
1s. 9d. to £11, 15s. 7d., or an average of £8, 14s. 11d. per man. For
another fortnight the average worked out at £12, 12s. each. To this
the Committee made a long reply, but all unavailing, for at the
Council meeting held on March 4th, 1876, the following resolution was
carried:--
"That the members of Executive Committee who went to London be
expelled, and that they have no payment for going."
By another resolution the number of the Committee was reduced to nine.
The result was to leave only three Committee men to transact the
business until a new Committee was elected. A word of explanation may
be necessary. At the election of Committee in December 1875 three new
men were elected. These were C. Simpson, W. Gordon, and J. Wilson. As
the arbitration was proceeding when the election of 1875 took place
the Executive Committee asked the members whether they should be
allowed to continue in office until it was finished. This was granted,
and as a consequence the newly elected members did not take their
places until the decision was given. The Durham Miners' Triumvirate
ruled until May 4th, when the full Committee was elected.
As a further result of the dispute between the treasurer and Committee
certain rules were suggested by the Executive Committee and approved
by Council on 29th April.
(1) That in future there be no night sittings of the Committee.
(2) For a long time, a custom has existed of the Committee, asking
questions on their reassembling after dinner hours. These questions
were put on paper during the forenoon and handed in to be read after
dinner. It will be seen, that this practice can be abused, and made
to lengthen out Committee meetings to any extent. That this practice
be entirely abolished unless it be a mere asking a question from the
Secretary. The question and answer to be printed on the Minutes; but
no discussion whatever to be held on the matter.
(3) That the General Secretary alone have the power both to call and
disperse Committee meetings.
(4) That the Committee have no power to either shorten their hours or
alter modes of payment.
In a letter bearing date May 19th the employers made another demand
for a considerable reduction of wages both above and below ground, and
fixing Saturday, the 27th, as the date for a meeting upon the matter.
On that date nothing definite was done, and an adjournment took place
until 13th June. A special Council was called for June 17th, when
lodges were asked to instruct their representatives what should be
done in the matter. In the meantime the Committee issued a circular,
giving an account of the meeting with the employers, and informing the
members that the owners' demand was for fifteen per cent. off
underground labour and ten per cent. off surface labour, or they were
willing to refer the whole question to arbitration in order to avoid a
stoppage of work. They (the Committee) then urged the acceptance of
arbitration at once. To refuse it would be to run counter to the
efforts of working men in the past who "had fought some of their most
severe struggles in trying to enforce arbitration as a means of
settling their trade disputes." Many hundreds of thousands of pounds
had to be spent before the employers would even recognise the right of
the workmen to the merest inquiry in advances or reductions of wages.
The employers claimed the right to be the sole judges in matters of
that kind.
"When the employers arrogated to themselves the right to judge both
for them and us, we were not slow in applying the words tyranny,
despotism, and even villainy to their actions. Don't let us then be
guilty of an imprudence, both by a repudiation of our own principles
and going into a battle when everything is against us."
The Committee supported that bold and candid statement by drawing
attention to the success which had attended the arbitration in the
past. "If ever a body of men ought to be satisfied with a means of
adjusting differences we ought with arbitration. It has in every
instance so far immensely reduced the application of the owners. There
is no other means by which we could have fared better. On every
occasion the owners complained about the insufficient amount awarded
them." The alternative to arbitration was a strike. That course would
be madness. There was a complete stagnation in trade, nowhere more
felt than in Durham. Pits were working half time, and there were
hundreds of men who could not find an hour's work. To strike would be
to jeopardise "an organisation which in the very short space of time
has done more for its members than any other trades' organisation
that ever existed." They urged other reasons in as forcible a manner,
and concluded by saying, if arbitration were refused an
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