The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-09-30

SiueIaoiyb ana suppose other coal consul
ming communities equally of late, wfiioh is
the long and disastrous strike among the
miners during the past summer. Can ycu
explain to me its origin and history.
Judge Packer-The 6rst strike occurred
in May last among the miners of the Schpyl-
kill mines, the Lehigh region, and a part of
those of LuZerne. The origin of this move
ment was common purpose to secure high
er compensation on the part of the miners.
There never has prevailed any uniform sys-
tenn OF pay among the miners. Some have
been paid by the day, some by the ton.
others by the wagon load, and so on, and
the prices paid at the different mines varied
as greatly. Subsequently, other mining re-
gions became involved in the strike, and the
movement became pretty general. The first
strikers made diligent use of the miners
unions, perfecting and extending that organ
iza'ion until the whole community was in
yolved. Through this union basis of pay
ment of a uniform character was adopted,
but was subsequently claimed by the opera
tors to be beyond their ability to meet. A
compromise was affected in July between
some of the miners and their employers, and
work was resumed. Then, as the supply of
coal became equal to the ceman6, and
prices fell off. the operators saw their ina
bllity to pay the prices agreed upon, ard
they stopped work. But now believe near
1y all the mines are again at work, though
on no uniform system of payment. There
seems TO have been nothing definitely accom-
plished by the strike, and there is no assu-
rance that it may not be repeated another
season. must confess my inability to state
with any greater clearness the causes of the
strike. The miners have made their state
ments. and the operators theirs, both Of
which have been given to the public. These
statements do not agree nor is it possible
to make any statement that shall cover the
whole ground and do Justice to the whole
question.
Reporter-I observe that the Philadelphia
Press, the North american. and other Jour
nails, advocate the introduction of coolie la
Dor into this country. What is your opinion
of the prospects of success of such a move
ment, and what would be its effect ?
Judge Packer (smiling )-Now you are
taking me from Pennsylvania to China.
But l have no hesitation in saying that
think the introduction of the labor you refer
to would pauperize the white labor of the
country. While our white labor is paid so
poorly at the best. the influx of such a race
as the Chinese would be most disastrous.
The introduction of such race among our
white laborers would deprive labor Of its
dignity Ey lessening its fair remuneration,
breed political dissensions more serious than
those created by the African race, and set up
religious SYSTEM utterly at variance with
the prevalent Christian sentiment of the
country. l do not look upon this question
simply as the Introduction of Cinnamon
here and there as ordinary emigrants, but
as a concerted and systematized movement
to supplant the white labor of the country.
Against such efforts the civilized and Chris
tianized white race of this country should
unitedly protest.
BREAK.
"Wilkesbarre," shouted the breakesman.
thrusting his head into the door of the car.
"Really, Judge" l remarked. ''the time
has passed more rapidly than 1 had sup
posed, and am not half through the topics
/ had charged my mind with"
'tWcll, sir, she replied, 81 have some
business that will occupy me here for few
hours, and then I proceed further North.
do not see how / can spare you more time at
present."
''But when can [ see you again ~ l ask
ed, al do not like to leave the interview half
finished.''
81 shall be at home the middle of the
week. and will meet you there then and con-
verse with you further with pleasure"
"Thank you, sir, will be happy to meet
you, and will wait your pleasure"
And so we parted.
THE MAN OF MARK IN HIS HOME.
It was several days before we met again.
The grea. man was called bither and thither
in utter disregard of his own convenience
or his appointment with me. At last L
fonnd him alone in his convenient library at
Mauch Chunk, enjoying a Saturday evening
with his books and his private affairs.
hesitated to disturb this unusual quietness.
but he pleasantly bid me enter and be seat
ed, apologizing for the unex pected protract-
ed interruption in our interview.
"But," he added 81 can compensate you
for it now by promising an exclusive even
ing. | do not know that the Sun or tho
world will be greatly benefited by any
ideas I may have to offer. but if there are
any other topics you woald like to discuss,
l will join you freely"
read over to him the commencement Of
our conversation, as given above. which
seemed to meet his approval as correctly re-
ported in substance. Then turning to me,
he asked, ''Now, what further questions are
there in your catechism 2o
vOLLEY AT THE FIFTEENTH AMENDMENT.
Reporter-The Republicans do not refer
to the Fifteenth amendment in their plat
form for this canvass. Is not that amend
ment IN issue in the contest =?
Judge Packer--The Republican party
seem to treat that as settled question so
far as Pennsylvania is concerned. refusing to
let it come before the people for their deter
mination. 1 have my own opinions as to
tho manner in which that amendment should
have been passed upon. think an amend
ment like this, which virtually changes the
Constitution of the State, should have been
presented to the people for their approval,
as provided in our State organic law, and
should have emanated from a Con vention
called on the application of the Legislatures
of two-thirds of the several States, as pro.
videi in the Federal Constitution A qnes.
ton of such vital importance should be de-
termined by the people. or by their. repre-
resentatives elected for that purpose. The
question of-suffrage is one that the original
founders of the general government wisely
refrained from delegating to it, iealously
ratainino IL within the cnntroI of the aevsraI