Sheffield Daily Telegraph – Tuesday 11 October 1870
Miners’ Demonstration At Mexbro’.
The second annual demonstration in connection with the Denaby Main Lodge of the South Yorkshire Miners’ Association took place yesterday. At two o’clock in the afternoon a bountiful dinner (provided by Messrs. Adams, of the Masons’ Arms, and J. Lowe, of New Mexbro’) was partaken of by the miners and several gentlemen connected with the management of the colliery. At six o’clock in the evening a meeting was held in Hewitt’s Rooms, presided over by Mr. Smith, chief engineer of the Denaby Main Colliery.
Mr. Smith said he had great pleasure in meeting them (the men) on such an occasion as the present. All of them would remember the last meeting they had, which was presided over by the Mayor of Sheffield, and he had no doubt that gentleman would have been present with them last night if possible. He (the speaker) was glad to say that things in general during the past twelve months had gone on satisfactorily. Little matters had certainly occurred, but these had been easily settled by a meeting between the managers and men. (Hear, hear.) There was nothing like coming together, and dealing with fairness on both sides. In conclusion he hoped that in the future they would work more harmoniously even than in the past.
Mr. Normansell said it afforded him great pleasure to meet with the chief managers of the Denaby Main Colliery, and likewise with the men. Their object should always be to do all they possibly could to keep peace at all the collieries in the district. Looking back upon the last twelve months, he thought there was nothing to complain of, for whenever they had occasion to meet with the managers or employers of Denaby Main, those gentlemen had always met them reasonably, and done all they could to rectify any evil. He thought that if there were more meetings of employers and men, like the present, they would have less of strikes and lock-outs than they had, for neither party gained anything by them, therefore it was the best to avoid them and let the contributions, &c., be distributed in cases of sickness, accidents, &c. (Hear, hear.) He hoped they would continue to work in harmony with each other, and every man present be at his work on the morrow to prevent any loss. The Association, he was glad to say, was in a flourishing condition. In conclusion, he wished success to Denaby Main, and hoped all would be at work tomorrow.
Mr. Pattison, under-viewer, said he was glad once more to meet with them. He and the men had now become thoroughly acquainted with each other. During the past year things had gone on moderately satisfactory. Here the speaker protested against the pit being set down for a day when any little grievance occurred, instead of continuing work and having the matter settled properly. He considered it an honour to meet with them, adding “only let the coals come up the pit, and you will please me”.
Mr. Aitcheson, of Sheffield, in reference to a statement made by the chairman, said he was a great talker, and he believed was made for a different gender to what he was. (Laughter.) It afforded him great pleasure to be at a meeting like the present, when masters and men were hand in hand. In the course of his speech Mr. Aitcheson urged the workmen to be sober, manly, and intelligent, and let “Upward and onward!” be their motto continually.
Mr. Clayton (the manager) said that with respect to the trade and prospects of Denaby Main they were good. No pit in Yorkshire did a more steady-going trade than they at Denaby whilst other pits had been standing they had not lost a day; the men had therefore constant employment and good wages, and he would urge them to do all they could to save a few pounds, and put them in the bank in case of sickness, &c. He thought there was nothing like a man helping himself. In conclusion he said he hoped before long they would have a penny Savings Bank established at Denaby Main, for there would be no difficulty in having one.
Mr. Casey said twelve months ago they had the pleasure of congratulating each other on the end of the 28 weeks dispute, and now they had the pleasure of congratulating each other on the state of friendliness and good feeling which existed at Denaby Main. (Hear.) Certainly little things had occurred during the last twelve months, but Mr. Normansell and himself whenever they met Mr. Smith, Mr. Pattison, and Mr. Pope, on every occasion they had received every respect which common sense and feeling led them to expect, viz., fairness and honesty. He was sorry that the men had allowed the pit to stand a day without putting the matter first before the Association. 400 men playing a day cost them a £100, and likewise a loss to the employers. In twenty-two months they had paid £41,000 in strikes and lock-outs, and they did not want them again, except they were compelled. The money should be spent in benevolent purposes, such as pensioning off old men at so much per week, &c., when they were unable to work, and keep them from the parish authorities, &c.
Mr. Dronfield, of Sheffield, said he had to apologise for the absence of Mr. Moore, the worthy Mayor of Sheffield, who would have been present to give them good advice and counsel, but was unavoidably detained in Sheffield. He (Mr. Dronfield) likewise congratulated them on the state of good feeling which existed amongst them at Denaby Main, recommending them to take care of all the money they could spare in case of accidents or for relief in old age. He was glad that something was being done for the improvement and prosperity of trade in general, and likewise that a Bill had been passed for educating the children of the miners of this country. In Wales some of the employers had been guilty of the most atrocious things, but he was pleased to find that the employers and workmen of Denaby Main were on much good terms with each other.
Mr. Broadhead, treasurer of the Association, moved, and Mr. O. Bailey, local secretary, seconded, a vote of thanks to the Chairman, Mr. Smith, which was carried with acclamation. The Chairman having suitably responded, the meeting was brought to a close.