The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-19
Terrorism In the Conl Regions.


AS our readers are aware, great disturbances
and disorders have recently, occurred in
Schuyll1ll county and the surrounding coal
bearing region, growing out of disposition
on the part of the laboring men to interfere
with and annoy capitalists in the production
OF coal-a commodity upon which Pennsylva
mia depends for lerge portion of her wealth
and prosperity. The reason given by the
indignant miners is that their wages have
not increased in proportion to the rise in the
price of coal and are insufficient to the sup
port of their families. 1t is not our purpose
to discuss this delicate financial question.
We have no doubt that the fact is as repre-
sented to certain extent, but our mining
friends must bear in mind that the entire
community is laboriug under exactly the
same difficulty. The value OF the necessaries
of life has increased thIeefold during the
past four years, but the salaries and wages of
employees have not grown in corresponding
ratio. Have the receipts of Market street
clerks increased at treble ratio since 1902
Yet board could then be obtained at $3.50 per
week; now six and seven dollars is not
considered an extortionate charge The
burden weighs with equal severity upon all
classes of citizens, and grows out OF the ordeal
of blood through which we have Just passed
The miners have no more right to demand
by force of arms an increase of pay than have
members of Congress-, judges of court, or
ministers Of the Gospel. The unthinking
multitude, urged to lawlessness by the arts of
demagOgues, are always ready to believe that
theirs is a case of peculiar hardship, when, if
they would take a common-sense view of the
subject, they would readily perceive that every
one is suffering from the same cause. When
times are prosperous the proprietor has but
little difficulty in meeting his expenses but
with frightened market and by no means full
Golfers, it is sometimes little troublesome to
meet current expenses.
We are inclined to think that the policy of
the Schuyll1ill county miners is suicidal. In
their efforts to better their condition they may
possibly force their employers to withdraw
their capital, and invest it where it would be
safer--thus rendering the condition of the
workingmen in that region truly deplorable.
Enforced increase of wages is always dan
gerous experiment. it is apt to engcnder a
bad temper in both of the opposing parties,
and leads, as in the case on hand, to the she'd
ding of blood and the sacrificing of human
life. The right of every one to do the best
he can fer the support of himself and those
who are dependent upon him is undoubted;
but this benefaction cannot be permanently
obtained except by lawful means.
In view OF the condition of affairs in
Schuylkill county, large meeting of the citi-
zens was held at Pottsville on last Saturday
evening, at which time the various exciting
topics were discussed, ,and series of moderate
and temperate resolutions were adopted ex-
pIessive OF the views of those present. They
are not of an in1ammatory character, but
calmly and dspassionately state the vital
points at issue. They intimate that the par
ties participant are deluded, and further active
efforts in this cause will unquestionably lead
to fearful results, as the people are determined
not to submit to exactions demanded by those
who are urged to their illegal courses by bad
and designing men. Hon. ELI BOWEN, one
Of the most prominent citizens of Pennsyl-
vania, presided, and several addresses were
made by persons familiar with the questions
involved in the point in dispute.
We sincerely hope that better counsels will
prevail, and that lawlessness and violence will
cease in the coal regions. No good can come
of it. Unless conciliation:and kindness are sub
stituted for bitterness and anger, there will be
trouble, and blood will flow in that vicinity.
Already some of the best citizens of Schuyl-
kill county have fallen victims to the fury Of
the mob. We do not need any more sacrifice
OF valuable lives. We hope that the whole
affair will be settled amicably, and an appeal
to force be avoided. Our experience during
the last four years ought to be sufficient to
teach us prudence, and the impracticability of
any small body of men defying the majesty Of
the law with the expectation of escaping con-
dign punishment
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