The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-04-10
THE MINERS WAR.
Several Coal Breakers Burned.
Scranton Occupied by Troops
Proclamation by Governor Geary


SCRANTON, Pa, April .7.-During the
afternoon the rioters, to the number Of
one thousand, proceeded to the Neyaug
and Clark coal brakers, in the Third
Ward, and the men at work in the for
mer were drawn off Thev-then set fire
to the Neyaug breakers and it burned
to the ground.
This evening, at half-past seven
o'clock, one battalion Of infantry and
a section of artillery Of State Guard ar
rived, and troops are 9uartered in the
various halls in the city. Several more
battalions are expected to arrive during
the night. The troops are under com
mand Of Major General Osburn, an ex-
perlenced officer of the late war. 1t is
reported here that some works from
which the men were driven today, will
resume tomorrow under the protection
of the military. Many miners are
anxious to resume work, and will com
mence at once if they can be assured
that they will be protected against the
terrorism and maliguity of the rioters.
The intention to bring on the military
is to render this protection Up to ten
?. NJ. no additional acts of violence
have been committed, but threats of re-
newed violence tomorrow are numer.
Gus. One company Of troops have
been sent to Trips slope, where re-
newed hostility is threatened in the
morning. Since the arrival OF troops
greater confidence is felt by the people,
and many believe there will be no re-
newal of lawlessness.
Proclamation by Governor Geary.
HARRISBURG, Pa, April !, 1871.
Pennsylvania, SIS
In the name and by the authority Of
the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania,
John w. Geary, Governor of the said
Commonwealth,
\ PROCLAMATION.
WHEREAS, The recent suspension of
work by the miners in the anthracite
sequent imposition by the transporta-
ton companies OF prohibitory rates,
have entailed great and manifold evils
upon the miners, operators, consumers,
manufacturers and others; and whereas,
all efforts of tho E~o~..';,-S cad tie
friends Of law and social order have
failed to harmonic the conflicting in
terestS and bring about an amicab!e ad-
justment Of existing difficulties; and
whereas, the recent investigation before
committee Of the Senate has failed To
provide any remedy for existing evils or
to accomplish anything towards the
desired adjustment, or to give promise
of relief to a suffering people; and,
whereas as usual in such cases, the un-
natural, aggravated and unlawful con-
flict between labor and capital has re-
suited, as am advised in breaches Of
the peace and the destruction Of life
and property at the city of Scranton
and other places in the mining regions
Of that vicinity, and assuming the shape
of mob violence on the part OF the
miners and others, further threatens the
lives and property of lava abiding citi-
zens and the temporary subversion of
the laws, and calls for prompt and
efficient remedies:
Now, therefore, |, John W. Geary,
Governor of the said Commonwealth,
by virtue Of the power vested in me by
the constitution and laws, do hereby
proclaim and declare
First. That it is unlawful for any per-
son or association Of persons, by vio-
lence, threats or other coercivc means,
TO prevent any laborers or miners from
working when they please, for whom
they please, and at such wages as they
please, and alike unlawful 10y such viO-
lence or threats to deter or prevent the
owner or operators Of mines from en-
ploying whomsoever they may choose
to employ, and at such wages as may
be agreed upon between the employer
and the employed.
Second. That it is unlawful for any
railroad or other transportation com
pany, in subversion of the objects of
its creation, 10 impose rates Of
freights or transportation intend
ed to be, and which are sub
stantialIy prohibtory, or 10 combine
with others to effect the same ends, and
thus create, prolong or aggrayatc exist
ing evils.
Third. That tits unlawful at all times
and under all circumstances for persons
| to assemble in a riotous or tumultuOuS
manner and under guidance either &C.
tual or pretended, to commit breaches
of the peace, destroy property or en-.
danger or take the lives OF others, and
thus subvert and nullity the laws and
subject the good name OF the State to
humiliation and reproach.
Fourth. That reliable information
having been received that these riotous
assemblages are too large and powerful
TO be dispersed or suppressed 10y the
local authorities OF Scranton, which
have called on me for aid, have in
voked the military power Of the State
10 suppress the riots and mobS at Scran-
ton. and wherever else in the Common
wealth such unlawful assemblages may
he found: and under the conviction that
the time has come for a complete settle
ment for the present and future of the
unlawful complications and difficulties
under which the people now suffer, |
have also invoked the civil power Of the
State against the railroad and other
transportation companies for the misuse
and abuse of their corporate rights and
privileges, and will enforce all the RENE
dies authorized by the laws OF the land
And | call upon all military organlza
tions to hold themselves in readiness Ia