Barnsley Chronicle – Saturday 30 June 1877

South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Miners’ Association

Dinner of the Mexbro’ Lodge

On Monday the annual dinner of the Mexbro’ Lodge of the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Miners’ Association was held in a tent adjoining the Masons’ Arms Inn. About 250 sat down to dinner, and it was pleasing to note the amicable feeling manifested both on the part of the men and the representatives of their employers.

Amongst the guests present were Mr. Henry Hewett, secretary and treasurer to the Denaby Main Colliery Company; Mr. Warburton, their new manager; Mr. Golightly, of the engineers’ department, and most of the sub-officials. The colliery is now running five and six days a week, and this may fairly be considered full time.

There were also present—Mr. Councillor Aitchison, of Sheffield, and Mr. W. Chappell, one of the secretaries of the Miners’ Association. The dinner, which was a very substantial meal, was served in a manner which did credit to the landlord, Mr. Musgrave.

On the cloth being removed, Mr. Hewett, who occupied the chair, proposed a toast to “The Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and all the Royal Family,” which was received with acclamation.

Mr. Aitchison then gave “Success to the South Yorkshire and North Derbyshire Miners’ Association.” He said it was unfortunate that they had not had the success they might have hoped for during the past year or two, owing to the secession of some of their members. By their secession they had well nigh defeated the objects of the association, for it was a most deplorable fact that they had failed to do what they ought, on behalf of the widows and orphans. (Hear, hear.) He need not tell them that miners’ associations or trades unionism of any description did not necessarily mean antagonism between employers and employed; and he was happy to say this was the second occasion on which he had addressed the miners of Mexbro’ and Denaby Main when they had had the pleasure of meeting their employers face to face. (Hear, hear.) This was a most glorious state of things, and it was one for which he had fought for the last 20 years. Trades unionism ought to be a bond which united men of all classes, and there was no reason why employers and employed should not be brought together on these and other occasions. (Cheers.) That pleasant feeling, however, could not possibly be maintained as long as some men were so unreasonable as to harass and torment their fellow workmen, and keep them in a perpetual state of dissatisfaction. (Hear, hear.) He was glad the coalowners of that district had taken a step that was calculated to bring about the blessings of peace in their midst, and he hoped the men would act honestly and faithfully in order to maintain it—(hear, hear)—to be true to themselves, their families, their employers, and their country; and then he had no doubt the present happy state of things would be the prelude of a ten years’ peace. (Cheers.)

Mr. Dixon having briefly acknowledged the toast, Mr. Chappell proposed “Success to the Denaby Main Colliery Co.” He said he always liked to see capital succeed and realise a good dividend when every legitimate means had been used to obtain whatever benefits time and circumstances would allow. (Hear, hear.) After referring to the difficult position which he himself occupied as standing between capital and labour, he expressed a hope that the interests of the employers and employed in that district would indeed be cemented from the present time, and he referred with satisfaction to the recent appointment of Mr. Warburton as certified manager of the Denaby Colliery. (Cheers.)

The toast was acknowledged by Mr. Golightly, manager of the engineering department, and by Mr. Warburton, who promised that no effort should be wanting on his part to work cordially with the men, so long as they worked cordially with him. (Hear, hear.) He referred to his experience in other mines, and said that his first consideration had always been the safety of the men. He was not infallible, but whenever he had reason to apprehend the slightest danger he always inspected the place himself, and never relied solely upon the judgment of others. (Hear, hear.) He had always found it better during an official life of nearly twenty years to gauge work himself. He never arranged a piece of work, if he had time and opportunity, unless he saw what it was and how he would do it himself, and what time he could finish it, and this was what he intended to do at Denaby Main. (Cheers.)

The Chairman, in response to a vote of thanks, said they all knew that there had been most ridiculous advances in everything, not only in their own trade, but in every other branch; and it was evident all along that a rebound would sooner or later come. They had got that rebound at the present moment. It had terminated in a perfect collapse, and he supposed one could hardly look for any improvement till this year was out; that was to say, any real benefit, commercial or profitable, in any trade of the country. The depression had of course been felt more particularly in the iron and coal trades. They had had some previous troubles and misfortunes in that district, but he trusted they were all passed. (Hear, hear.) It was no small satisfaction to him to hear the remarks just made by Mr. Warburton, and he had given them his kind assurance, which he believed was real and earnest, that everything would go on well as long as the honest, straightforward line of conduct which they had recently marked out was followed by masters and men. (Cheers.) They were all of one family, and their interests were mutual, and as long as this was borne in mind he looked forward with confidence to the future. (Cheers.)

The proceedings were shortly afterwards brought to a close.