Meeting of Miners – Speaker falls down Stairs

May 1878

Mexborough Times, May 1st, 1878

Meeting of Miners at Denaby.

On Tuesday evening last, a meeting of the miners of the Denaby Main Colliery, was held in the Lodge room at the Masons arms, Mexborough. A very small company was in attendance, owing to some mistake having been made as to announcing the same.

Previous to the commencement of the meeting a somewhat serious accident occurred to Mr E.Rymer, who had come from Barnsley to address them; as he went in the Lodge room, this gentleman, who is nearsighted, went into a corner (where a flight of stone stairs descend into a low room) for the purpose of placing there his umbrella, and not noticing the opening, he fell headlong down this flight of 20 stairs. He was at once brought up, and after the lapse of a few minutes, he appeared little worse for his singular misfortune, which happily did not end with more serious results.

Shortly before seven o’clock, Mr Rymer, stating that he was better, the meeting commenced. The chairman opener proceeded with a few remarks then called upon Mr Rymer, were address them at great length, in an earnest manner, having evidently, the cause of the miners are at heart, and his remarks were highly appreciated by all present.

He was frequently applauded in the course of his address.

At the commencement he remarked that he was sorry there was so small a company, which pained him very much, when he knew it ought to have been otherwise.

He was sorry that he had met with an accident, but he was on the other hand, glad that it was of no serious nature. He asked them what remedy they could adopt to bring about a better state of things. Some great and united effort should be made to rouse up their failing the. The best remedy to adopt would be to have more meetings, stick closer together, study each other’s well-being and interest, do the thinking part themselves and not let other people think for them, aim at things higher, be firm and resolute and push onward.

For the example of his adherents. He gave a brief account of the various episodes during his lifetime, which proved that he had suffered greatly for the cause of the union. The entry of a man into the union, was an act of free will, therefore, no one has a right to complain or say that any compulsion was used in obtaining members for their cause. He said they were passing through a very critical period of history, and he thought a great calamity was hanging over their heads, to avert which would require all their united efforts, man to man He instanced the plan found in the colliery managerĀ“s pocketbook as likely to become general; it was their duty to be on the lookout, to be forewarned was to be fore armed. He therefore warned them take his advice and stick closer to the union.

His object in addressing them was to persuade them to value their present advantages and not to allow them to step through their fingers; for the course of the union. He had been “victimised” and had not worked for a considerable number of weeks but rather than give way to his oppressors. He would die. His concluding remarks were of a very exemplary character, he strenuously exhorting them to keep to the union, also to put their thoughts in one focus and get them into action, and by one great at unite together, and thereby obtain all their one. Keep out of the public house and go to the mechanics Institute, Read more and he was sure they would profit thereby. He hoped that his remarks will be acted upon and that good results would arise out of his visit. He then put the following resolution to the meeting, which were unanimously carried,

“that this meeting desires to make its united public protests against the government bringing native troops from India, without first having the sanction of Parliament.” That this resolution be sent to Mr Gladstone and signed by the chairman.”

“That this meeting sees no other possible means of checking the downward tendency of wages in mind, and other evils now existing, but by a powerful union of coal miners throughout England. We therefore call on every minor to join the union and help in securing justice and liberty for the Working classes of the country.”

After cordial vote of thanks to Mr Rymer the meeting concluded.

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