The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-10
FIRST EDITION
MINER VS.. OPERATOR.

The True story of the eSituation-Cause OF
the Disturbanee-Exagger of the
First Reports-The Responsible Persons.
SCRANTON, April 8.-The troubles which
broke into open revolt on Thursday last have
been threatening all winter. The outbreak.
such as 1t was, was brought about through the
stubbornness of q few miners, who, while pro-
tossing good feeling toward the strikers, con-
tinued working in the coal establishments after
the operators had broken their agreement with
the general body of the miners.
Scranton is the centre of q vast coal-mining
region, and on the circle of hills surrounding
the city some OF the most extensive coal-pro-
duclng works in the country are carried on. In
the city alone over TO- 900 men find employment
in working the mines, and in the country imme-
dnty 6nlattely surrounding there are not less than
oO,O0O employed in the same industry. This
whole body has been idle since December last
and up TO Thursday bore very quietly the depri-
yation and discouragements of the dismal situa-
ion-a position into which they were forced,
! they claim, by the grasping policy of the ope-
rators in the first place, and continued In,
j through the high-handed action of the great
Transportation companies. So long as there ap-
peared fair prospect of equitable adjustment
/ at Harrisburg these men seem to have behaved
7peaceably, but when the examination there re-
isulted in an apparent triumph of the companies,
the men unwisely determined to put stop to
' ihe whole running business, and thus force an
kssue with the companies and the operators.
When the strike broke out last winter it was
Zagreed that the operators should have the SER
4 vices of just enough men to keep their ma
Ichinery going, otherwise the mines would have
|come to total destruction through flooding.
This arrangement was made generally through
out the whole mining country; when such agree
ments were not made the works are almost
wholly ruined. The operators, however were
not loyal to the treaty, and as the winter wore
lon, embOldened by the apparent mastery of the
railroad men at Harrisburg, they extended their
SThe miners, encouraged by the hope
tof definite action from the Legis-
lature, made no interference beyond
! mild protest, at this infringement of the bar.
lgain, and would probably have said little had it
}not been for the indiscreet partisanship of the
2press in this section, which at once took sides
Ifor the rich corporation. The miners we're re-
7vied intemperately, and finally, under the sting
|of the Harrisburg failure the men lost temper,
and the bad blood so long held in check gave
way before the taunts of the press aud the uu-
Timely vaunts of the operators. On Thursday
afternoon all the coal works on the outskirts
and in town were visited by excited but by no
neans bloodthirsty, mobs. The miners, who
dad been frequently pursued, were somewhat
roughly handled, but in no case seriously mall
Created.
Great excitement at once spread through the
city, and for time it seemed as though inco oi-
ent revolt had broken into full-fedged rebellion.
The military companies were called upon, but
they utterly refused to take arms against their
brethren, and the perplexed city officials at
pnce telegraphed Governor Geary for assistance.
Meantime, the Mayor, apprised of the uproar
Rnd paralyzed by bloody deeds reported to him,
made trembling appearance at the main point
bf disturbance, Trips works, and attempted
peaceful parley with the mob. Flanked
by reputable citizens of age and position, his
Honor amicably besought the crowd to desist
rom violence and disperse to their homes. His
forts were fruitless, and he then attempted to
make known the intents and purposes of the
Riot act, but the crowd cared even less for that
Pxciting document and irreverently hooted the
eader. Thereupon one of the citizens attend
ing his Honor valorously flourished a pistol
pefore the crowd and threatened slaughter
nless they at once dispersed. His heroic
forts were laughed at and he Indignantly
etired with the offended magistrate.
The mob satisfied with the bloodless victory,
oisterously marched off to other establish
bents, and when all the men had been peace
Ffly argued out of their occupation, they formed
n solid ranks, and, with the stars and stripes
bove them, marched through the main streets,
O'Clock the advance guard of the State troops
frived, and were at once distributed about the
bal works. Nothing happened however, to
pstify apprehension, save the burning of an
ID collaborating establishment some distance
ut OF town, which ia said to have been fired not
the miners and for not wholly disinterested
urposes.
The local accounts are filled with death and
hry, and represent fierce battle waged, and
lood shed, but have visited all the mines and
ter close questioning workmen and operator,
hn find no case of bloodshed nor anything like
stematic violence. The few men who were at
ork In the miBes were we'll armed and it
eme they displayed the only weapons drawn
The bloodless naeIee.-N. Y. Tribune, to-day.