The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-28
CITY INTELLIGEN e.
THE COAL TRADE.
The EIGht-hOur Vote-The characteristics of
the Whining ECommunty-The Scranton sale
A Rumor of

The EIsht-hour Vote-The characteristics of
the Whining ECommunity-The Scranton sale
Rumor of ResumptiOn-QuOtatiO Etc.
The result OF the vote on the eight-hour question
has not yet been made public. Those who have been
appointed by the different Councils of the W. b. A.
30 receive the vote met at Tamaqua on Friday the
20th instant, but adjourned to meet on June wit
tanned, it is against the measure. Those who work
10y the week have voted and would naturally vote
for 1t, and those who work by contract have
voted against It, The former class includes
the laborers while the latter embraces a. ,ut
ninetyhve per cent. OF the miners. The labor Of the
miners is dependent upon that OF the laborers. In
many collieries miner can cut as much coal in
eight hours aborer can clear out OF the schutes
and break in ten hours. IL the working time of the
laborer is shortened the miner will also have to work
less, the breasts will become chVked with coal.
or course in this case the miner VINO works by con
tract as most of them do, will prefer not. to have
such measure put into operation.
very good view of the private workings OF one
OF the miners unions can be obtained by reading
letter to the Scranton Republican, portion of which
we give below. The picture will apply equally as
well to many other unions to our certain knowledge,
and not only to miners unions, but TO those of vari
GUS other trades and haudcrafts. The communica-
The operator had previously, at various times maze
concessions to his men, but at last took stand
against them. The men wished to select the inside
foreman. The present incumbent of that Office is
unpopular, and men refused to do as ordered in one
instance. In the words Of the communication, ''rhe
result was strike meeting was afterwards
held, and they decided not TO resume work while
ter to-day, and there was majority OF fifty against
MIR. Green. SO here the matter rests for the pre-
sent | believe we have the most troublesome lot
of men anywhere in the valley. Not week passes
but there is trouble OF some kind Things of the
most trivial character will result in meet
ment of q committee of investigation. Their
president, John Gardner (when there is a ul in the
striie stirs them up to another. He exercises such
control over these men that it matters not how
ridiculous anything is, IL he decdes in favor OF it
they believe him, and no one can snake their belief
So rigid is their discipline that the members are not
allowed to speak out what they think. A few days
ago, when thel hel meeting to take 3ton against
n l. aa NJ Ia mo- in
favor of Mr.. Green Whed he was knocked down by
Their vice president. Another time miner eT-
pressed an opir ion that Gardner was maxim mOney
out OF their 'UniOU,' and Tor this he was fined ten
dollars, and was compelled to pay it or suiTer per-
sOnal violence. The above may sound absurd, but
nevertheless It is all true"
Thisis the class of men who desire the operators
to give in to the insane demands OF their unions To
be sure the class are not all of this character but
those who are hrmest in the striking movement are.
strike continued, published in their own organ and
those OF more moderate and sensible ideas pub
lished elsewhere, will show at once the total gno-
rance and observation-disclosures of the former. The let
teTs Of the better class show some signs of refine
ment and intellectual culture, while those of the
other class abound, Tor instance, not only in bad
but most hideOus grammar, such instances as max
ing verb agree with its subject, which Immediately
preCedes in the wrong number, showing in the
writer total want Of the first principles of educa-
tion. or course, such men are not the
most foresghted nor is it the easiest thing in the
world to beat new idea into their heads. la some
regions majority of the more sensible sort, but
this majority is ruled by the minority on the dues
ton OF going to work the vote Is taken by accaml
tion not by ballot, and any who votes against
the wishes of the interested leaders is marked
MANN which case let him beware. This is not too
strong at all. ANY one who has lived in the coal
regions can vouch for the truth of this assertion.
The better class of men as rule do not attend the
union meetings, and it is said that in the Schuykil
region, which is not the place where they have the
'most troublesome set large numbers of the best
men are leaving the country forever. totally dis
gusted with the leaders and unwilling longer to sub
init to their tyranny.
The regular Scranton sale took place in New York
on Wednesday last. The prices nave been already
published. These show still further decline ovei
the low rates Of the last sale. The following the
amount of decline on the various kinds as compared
with the April sale, with the amount of coal sold
each kind