ALEX. MACDONALD’S CAREER.

Patea Mail, 10 February 1882, Page 1 (Supplement)

ALEX. MACDONALD’S CAREER.

EEOM COLLIER EOT TO M.P. U Me. Alex. Macdonald, M.P., died lately at his residence, Wellhall, Hamilton. Though for some time back the hon. gentleman’s health had been precarious, the sad event was quite unexpected, and indeed was sudden in the end. He had been suffering from jaundice, but it was quite expected that he would be able to throw off its effects. After that he felt worse, and then dangerous symptoms showed, and at length he passed away peacefully and without pain. Mr. Macdonald was born, as the entry in his father’s family Bible bears, on June 28,1821, in the farmhouse at Dalmacouter, pai’ish of new Monkland, He was wont to tell that his great-grandfather fought at Culloden on the side of Prince Charlie, and effecting his escape at the close of the fatal day, settled down at Harveston, in Clackmannanshire. His grandfather was in the employment of the Carron iron Company. His father for eighteen years was a sailor, and afterwards entered the pits, into which his son was introduced at the tender age of eight years. When young Macdonald was “ sent down the shaft ” there was no law in existence to prevent children from entering the mines, and no compulsory Education Act; there were not even G-overnment regulations as to the hours of labour for children. Having spent two or three years at a parish school at New Monkland, his education, slight as it was, showed to advantage when compared with that of his companions. The pitmen, as a rule, did not in those days trouble themselves much about the education of their children; but young Macdonald was made of superior stuff, and encouraged by his parents, he gave up to study the few hours he could call his own. To show his industry and indomitable energy we may mention that, while still in his youth, he worked in the pit from two o’clock in the morning to five at night; then prepared himself for evening school, which began at seven ; and after two hours of study went home to bed. This intense application told on him to such an extent that on two occasions he injured his eyesight. His thirst for knowledge was so strong that he taxed his fine physical powers to the utmost in order that he might save money to caary him to the university, and at the age of 21 he had hoarded up no less a sum than £250. In the doings of those who were striving for the reduction of the hours of labour for factory children he took a deep interest; and when women came to be put out of the mines in 184*2, he was advocating .the reduction of the hours of labour to eight hours per day, and the education of every miner’s child. In a great strike which took place in that year he took an active part, and at its close he determined to prosecute still further those studies he had begun, with a view of entering one of the learned professions. While taking a share in all the leading movements of the day, he never lost an hour in preparing for college, and in 1846, throwing aside for a time the pick and shovel, he entered the University of Glasgow, and, assuming the academic gown and cap, set-to work with zeal at his studies. Having already acquired a smattering of Latin, Greek, and mathematics, he experienced little difficulty in keeping pace with his companions. He found, however that he had not sufficient money to carry him through the three years he wished to remain in Glasgow; but rather than give up his desire he resolved to go back to the pit. When the classes were accordingly disbanded in the spring he returned to the coal-

mine and worked through the summer and autumn, until the time came for him to rejoin his brother-students. After having attended Glasgow University for three years, Mr. Macdonald became a schoolmaster at Airdrie. His school was well attended, and in this sphere he worked hard and diligently and won the esteem and respect not only of the mining capital of Scotland but of the surrounding districts. In this position he continued until the question of a better Mines Act cropped up. Mr. Macdonald gave up his school and threw himself unreservedly into the stormy life of a leader among the working miners. At the beginning of the year 1856 little or no union existed among the miners anywhere. By the close of 1857 an interchange of views had taken place of those who remained of the recognised leaders of the miners, and the result of this was, that a conference was held, Macdonald taking a prominent part, at which it was resolved to agitate and impress on the Government the necessity of passing a measure for the protection of the miners. In 1858-9 this was done. In 1860 another Act was passed, but like its predecessors was deemed unsatisfactory. One point was insisted on by Mr Macdonald namely, the necessity of having two shafts to every working—one for escape if the other was destroyed. The mine-owners opposed this and the Legislature supported them. The Hartley catastrophe came in 1862, and then an Act was passed—Mr Macdonald, as before, taking a leading part in the matter. Mr. Macdonald was one of the parties appointed in 1864 by the congress that was held on that subject to see the law altered, and he continued to act along with others till the old law was repealed in 1867. In 1868 Mr Macdonald became a candidate for the Kilmarnock District of Burghs, but retired from the contest. He frequently visited the United States to observe the real position of the working men there as compared with this country. He travelled the country from the Atlantic to the Pacific coast, receiving from the trade unionists in many places a hearty and generous welcome. In 1872 he was elected, at Nottingham, chairman of the Trades Union Parliamentary Committee. In January, 1873j at the congress held in Leeds, be was again elected by the committee to the same position. He more than once was presented by the Scotch miners with tokens of their respect and esteem, On 11th January, 1873, he was presented by the leading miners of the kingdom and their friends, with the sum of £1,500, most of which had been by the miners in their various localities. In 1874 Mr. Macdonald was asked by the working men of Stafford to his views on the leading questions ot the day, in order that they might judge if he was a “fit and proper person ” to represent them in Parliament. He complied with the request, and his views were deemed so acceptable that he was chosen as their representative. Prom that date Mr. Macdonald took a leading part in most labour movements, and commanded the confidence of working-men. In 1874 he purchased Wellhall, where he resided, except when in London attending to his Parliamentary duties, it is a fine old mansion, of no great size, but with a beautiful situation. Here he lived a retired life, amidst many surroundings of refinement. His library was a snug room, containing a large and valuable collection of books, many of them rare. He also possessed a very complete collection of American mineralogy, &c., gathered in the course of his extended tours in that country. Those who had occasion to visit Wellhall were sure of a kindly, hospitable welcome; and no one who was privileged to hear its owner descant on his favourite theme —the condition of the miners at the beginning of the century and the efforts towards its ameliora-tion-will soon forget the impression made upon him. He many times reverted to an intention to write his memoirs, but it is doubtful if this has been done. By his desire he will be laid alongside his mother in New Monkland Churchyard, the funeral being of a private character. Deputations of miners, enginemen, mechanics, and cokemen will attend the funeral, and the Miners’ National Association will also be represented.