Barnsley Chronicle – Saturday 04 May 1878
Miners’ Demonstration at Swinton
The various lodges in connection with the South Yorkshire Miners’ Association in the immediate neighbourhood of Swinton resolved upon holding a demonstration and meeting in the Market Place of that town on Tuesday. The following collieries were represented:—Thrybergh Hall, Manvers Main, Rawmarsh Pit (Messrs. Charlesworth, Denaby, &c.).
Despite the unfavourable weather, rain having fallen the whole of the day, about 2000 miners assembled. The Thrybergh Hall men marched to the ground in procession, headed by a band of music and a flag, on which were the words, “Defence, not Defiance.”
The following resolution was proposed by Mr. David Moulson (late president of the Association):—“That this meeting has no hesitation in stating that the use of lamps (in the Barnsley district particularly) entails a serious loss on the miner, and therefore the remuneration given for their use at the principal collieries in the South Yorkshire district is not more than ought to be paid; and this meeting hereby agrees and pledges itself to support men employed at any colliery where attempts are made to reduce wages, under the plea that lamps ought not to be paid for.”
Mr. E. Jones (Monk Bretton) seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr. Chappell. The latter, in the course of his remarks, said the employers had chosen a favourable time to make an attack on the men. So far they were wise in their own generation, but the men could never tolerate such a reduction as this. As to a lamp and candle being equal in illuminating power, it would take three lamps to equal one candle. Men competent to judge said it took eight Davy lamps to equal one candle. But this was not a question as to kind of lamp. No lamp—Davy, Stephenson, or Clanny—was equal to the light of a candle, and a lamp could not be put in such a position as to shed the light a candle would. Men sometimes had to carry their lamps by their mouths by the lair together when fixing clogs, as it was impossible to have it stationary and see what they were doing. Then again, if the light should go out, the miner had to lose half-an-hour, or even an hour, in going to the pit bottom for another light. These were not small matters. If the men at the Rawmarsh pit yielded the knocking off of this money it would take place elsewhere.
Mr. Charlesworth had to be fought it appeared about every twenty years; he was fought twenty years ago, from April to December, and no doubt he remembered that time.
Mr. Charlesworth was a gentleman, but he (the speaker) believed he was influenced by others on this question. The resolution was then carried unanimously.
Mr. Jno. Rowney then moved:—“That this meeting learns with surprise that certain colliery managers in the South Yorkshire district have stated as their opinion that there ought not to be any allowance paid to the men for wedging coal in lieu of blasting it, and this meeting is strongly of opinion that such persons know but very little practically of the extra labour entailed upon the men by wedging coal instead of being allowed to use powder, and is further of opinion that in cases where it is found necessary to discontinue the use of powder a sufficient remuneration should be given for the extra labour involved by having to get the coal by wedging.”
Mr. Atkinson (late of Sheffield) seconded the resolution in a long speech, in which he spoke in favour of unionism, and urged the men instead of being inclined to extravagance, to be frugal and economical, and try and save a little for their families. The resolution was supported by Mr. Pickard and Mr. Rymer. The latter said he appeared there at “missionary for the Union.” (A laugh.) He wished, if permitted, to make a few remarks about masters and their treatment to their workmen. There was no man could say that during the many years he had been a collier that he had ever worked in any mine against the interests of his fellow workmen. (Hear, hear.) He might also say that no one ever saw him drunk or in bad company. (Cheers.) He had during that time fought hard for the union, and he intended to do so. His own family represented 75 persons, all of whom were connected with the association. He therefore claimed to speak with some little authority. He did not look on the union simply as a money club, like many others. The miner was in a worse position to-day than he had been for years. Many men were now enjoying the benefits obtained by the action of the union, but were cowards not to join it. (Cheers.)
Mr. Rymer then proposed two resolutions; one in favour of the assimilation of the Borough and County Franchise, and the other recommending that deputies of collieries should be certified the same as managers. Both the resolutions were carried.
Mr. Pickard then rose and said that a “Miner’s lad” had stated in the Barnsley Chronicle that the miners were in favour of Lord Beaconsfield’s policy. He did not believe it, and he moved a resolution approving the conduct of Mr. Gladstone. This was carried by an immense show of hands, amid the most enthusiastic cheering.
The usual votes of thanks concluded the meeting.