New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-04-26
MINERS RIGHTS.

Tho unhealthy Indictment given to many
manufactures during the war called for an
immense supply of coal. New mines were
opened, new railways built, new miners en-
ployed. Then peace came, and with it fall
ing off of business in many branches. The
demand for coal grew less, and prices fell.
The mines, however, remained opened, the
railroads built, and the miners alive. Capital
lists resolved to mike money still; miners to
retain their war-price wages. The Working
mems Benevolent Association is organized.
What the authority of Trade Union is needs
no new definition. Its power over the men Is
complete. Its rulers speak with the authority
of kings. The Miners Union DEGREES that
when coal fails to certain price work must
cease till the decreased supply brings the price
up again. In plain words-miners must be
paid certain sum. If they can't get that
the whole country must be taxed to support
them in idleness.
The history of the past two months has been
round of meetings, protests, and addresses
Nothing has come of them. One proposition OF
the operators was that the Union should re-
nounce its claim to control the actions Of those
of its members who chose to work. The prop
osition was rejected solely on the ground that
no such control was claimed. Are men to
be deceived by such rcasoningi At the Mauch
Chunk council all efforts at compromise proved
futile, because the Union men demanded that
wages should be everywhere the same, saying
that if the Schuylkill operators cannot make
profit at the wages paid at Scranton they must
"put down the railway companies" Because
of this decree the miners who want to work at
Pottsville must lie idle the operators who want
to see their men earning living must let their
mines remain closed. And when under such
circums ances the operators find men in or out
of the Union who will work in spite OF the
| orders of the w. b. A., and protect them in
their labors, we are told that they are melting
revolution.
The law of supply and demand will rule. If
no union Of miners had existed, If prices had
been allowed to be regulated by the rules OF
trade. if those miners who were dissatisfied
with their wages had found other employment,
no strike would have resulted. The miners
complain of the exactions Of the carrying COM
panies Yet these miners strikes have been
the means of keeping the companies prices up
to their present standard. If miners are to be
OFcIDtilu DIX IuOnlUo uuu SiA' WV N'"'f'
MES which carry off the products OF their labor
will enjoy similar privileges.
The miners who quibblo over points of dis
pute in the interest of "the workingmen"
must remember that it is tho wOrllingmen who
are the greatest sufferers by their actions
Their own families arc in want; the tradesmen
in their districts find their means of living cut
off; the workinman in distant cities gives up
his days work for the pail Of coal which their
idleness has trebled in value; this shop and
that turns away its hands over 900 men at
Rondout alone have 10 means to provide their
families with food And now, when the oper-
ators soy, 1--WE will give work to all who wish
it, and see that their lives and property are
"not endangered by their acceptance" inju-
dicious friends of the workingmen call the
operators "bulliesIn The miners know better.
We are glad to find that here and there they
are returning to work. The courts can alone
force justice from the railway companies, and
o strike helps no Ono's cause.