Dispute – Whisky Jug Discussions

November 1878

November 8th 1878.

Denaby Main Dispute.

Whiskey Jug Discussions

Another week has passed without any material alteration being made in the position of affairs in connection with the above issue.

A laughable incident relating to the doings of a deputation which attended the Reresby Arms on Monday last is worth repeating. It appears that while the committee were engaged in transacting their usual business at the Lodge room, Mason´s Arms, Doncaster Road, Mexborough, a message was received stating that a gentleman was at Mr. Slater´s, prepared to meet a deputation as to a settlement of the dispute. Accordingly fourteen delegates were at once deputed to attend upon the gentleman, and despatched with all haste. On arriving at Denaby Main they were met by the gentleman, (an engineer at the colliery) who had desired their attendance.

After requesting them to fill their glasses from a whiskey jug, which was freely done, he said that his object in sending was to inform them that the manager had originally intended not to re-open the pit only at 4 ½ d. per ton reduction, but he was of the opinion that if they would accept a reduction of 3 ½ d. per ton then the manager would meet them and the pit would be re- opened, and the dispute settled.

After much persuasion together with more calls upon the jug, the delegates withdrew, many of them deeply affected with the gentleman´s eloquence. But a few of them being so weakened that they could not keep their equilibrium. However the Lodge room was reached, but being too much affected the result of their proceedings was not made known to the men until early next morning, when it was decided to reject the proposals offered, they not being of a satisfactory nature.

The deputation would no doubt not object to pay another visit to the Reresby Arms under similar circumstances.