[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.