The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-18
THE STRIKE IN THE PENNSYLVANIA COAL
REGIONS.

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Meeting Of Operators and Their Determined
Action to Resist the Strike-Latest Demon.
STATIONS Of the Strikers.
MAHANoY CITY, July II, 1865
The continuous circuits of squads Of strikers
among the coal coeries, compelling the miners to
stop work. and no indication of cessation Of these
migratory movements until all the collieries shall
have been visited and labor suspended induced the
call of special meeting for to-day Of coal ope-
rators. The meeting was held at ten O'Clock at
the Mansion House. and was numerousy
attended. Mr.. George W. Cole was chosen to
preside The meeting was OF brief duration,
but the results arrived at were sharp quick and de-
csive. All comprehended the nature OF the strike
and the causes that induced it, and the sole question
for them to decide waslwhat course they should pur
sue in the case. But one course was suggested-a
refusal to accede to sthe demands Of the strikers.
Such course was adopted, and with such argument
the meeting adjourned. Herein s.reyeaed the other
side of the programme In this most important and
exciting matter The result is what prophesied in
my last letter, as based upon conversations with
leading operators in this regon-the very heart In
deed, OF the coal region well the head centre OF
the strikers. 1t Is just the result everybody, ncud-
ing the strikers themselves anticipated and conse-
quently there Is no surprise at it.
Holding this council however, and making known
this result the operators in the painest words pos
sble have now sign1ed to the stakers their accept
Of the terms of battle offered them. The assault
so boldly and dehantly begun by. the strikers and
carried on thus far with such signal their
part is to be met and resisted by the operators Each
side signifies its intention to fight it out on its chosen
line IL 1t takes all summer and other summers added
rmed eonct seems e oSi mn nine na' viii ieI be-
bloody one? Expectation Is on tiptoe. The-all en-
crossing question here Island 1t is a question in
which the outside world are beginning to
feel q like absorbing interest-how long will
it continue and how will it terminate9
It is question that time alone can answer. 1t may
end in a few days. 1t may continue months. The
strikers, seeing the inutiity and hOpelessness of
prolonged conflict with capital and the weakness OF
their arrayed In hostility to the potency of
the almighty dollar and the necessity Of humble sub
mission to its proud sovereignty, and particularly
subsistence and starvation staring them in the face,
may peacefully lay down their arms and go to work
opds ne ia se strikers hs hold contrary cn dn the
declarations Of hghtlng for principle, may
too serious losses and at length succumb on the
simple score Of selfinterestthat great arbiter and
ruler OF moneyed men and corporate bodies and
human conduct generally, the lever that moves the
world, the helm that guides the ship OF human
destinies.
pursuing their devious courses among the cOllieries
is about as difficult as some Of our Union generals
movements Of Stonewall Jackson's army. Giving
credit to the many rumors anoat involves endowing
them with marvellous power of ubquitousness
Some of the rumOrs are very conflicting and again.
when the facts come to be known they fall far below
the original statements One thing Is an established
certainty, that at least three separate gangs are
wandering about among the colierles In different
tons OF the coal region, that they are making clean
work as they go, that they are constantly augnent-
ing their numbers that they are foraging to
less extent on the country and that each day they
are developing more stubborn determination to
carry their point In the Scranton region they have
been less successful than elsewhere The committee
that went there yesterday to ascertain the feeling in
this region-the strikers send in advance committees
as skrmishers, rs q matter OF prudential policy
have returned but maintain fixed reticepce the
result OF the visit. From hints dropped how
will move In large force on this region, and being
tired throwing turf will test what virtue there is
In stones, alias bludgeons and pistols, their arma-
ment of offence and defence. Meantime the opera
tors here fully OF the opinion that the whole
suit OF this strike movement depends very greatly on
the action be taken by the operators and miners
in the Scranton region. It is well known that very
little sympathy is felt either n the operators or
the strike in that region two years ago no sort Of
sympathy was elected from this direction. AS to the
miners already enlisted In the strike, 1t Is unques
toned that they desire to make it general and that
they Will push their utmost endeavors to accomplish
this result.
The latest announced movements OF the strikers
admit OF brief telling A gang OF some two hun
dred made demonstration at Hazeton and
closed up every colliery and workshop. At
Liedermans Skeers colliery they met with some
opposition but with pistols at the heads Of the
turnacous ones they reduced them to submission.
Another gang, numbering some fifty, which showed
itself at the Suffolk Coal Company's works. were not
quite so brave. larger gang had previously COM
PEELED a suspension OF labor here. but Ii was thought
work had been resumed again and hence a second
visit by this smaller gang. II appears however,
that Mr.. Phillips, the superintendent wanted re-
pair the shoot. and was simply having the coal
taken out TO enable this to be done. The coal was
being drawn out on cars as If In readiness to take
eat work are You again. said the ringeader OF
the gang to Mr.. Phillips; 'you have got to stop t
al am only getting out coal to repair the shoot"
"Don't believe a d-n word of itn retorted the
rngleader, so stop now at once and get the men
Mr.. Phillips has son, young man who served In
the army during the war. Seeing how the case was
going he quietly possessed himself OF carbine which
he had In conveniently at hand for just such
emergency and boldly confronted the ringleaders.
$50 you don't believe On word father says"
his carDine that the 'rngleader could look unob
structed into the muzzle, he continued" Now you
get up and get out OF here, you and your whole
party or I'll Shoot your id head ofr.n
MIR. Ringleader and mis- party did not stand on the
81 er T%I wS S e II wss
would renew their visit, and some policemen were
sent from here TO the protectonaof Mr. Phillips, but
q wholesome fear OF that carbne has prevented any
further efforts TO prevent Mr.. Phillips repairing his
shoot.
shutting up Of the foundry OF Messrs. Lee 4 Wren
and the carpenter shop OF Messrs. Hill and Harris.
They marched on to one OF the principal hour mills
here, but finding the men were working by contract
made no interference. They have now swept this
valley pretty thoroughly. At some places which
they have not visited there Is eager hope
of their coming. Old rines and muskets,
frightened up FOR service, and cannon loaded
with scrap iron are waiting to welcome
them. II not to bosptable graves, with every mani
festation OF cordial warmth the occasion may re-
quire At PottsviIle yesterday gang OF mechanics
struck, and with band OF music marched about
visiting the machine shops OF the place. trying TO in
duce the worsmen TO stop work. AT the shops of
Wartime Post. Wren and Snyder, the largest mechan-
zeal establishments In the town. the men refused to
stop work though at some OF the smaller establish
mcnts the men readily fell in with the movement.