The New York herald., 1871-04-08
TEE COAL CONSPIRACY.
The Legislative Report-A Crisis Approaching
Attitude of the Great Companies-Determi-
nation Of the Meu-Stirring Times
Observation-Disclosures
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, Aprn 0, 1871.

From other sources you VIII have received the
announcement that the judiciary Committee OF the
State Senate lnd 1t impossible to report any definite
action for settlement or the coal troubles. The
result Is precisely what might have been antici-
pated when the committee gave themselves up en-
tirely TO the interest OF the carrying companies
and admitted such an unauthorized overhauling OF
matters irrelevant to the work they instructed
to perform. The later report OF the committee has
been received in this region with an apathy indi-
eating perfect and undisguised disgust at the
ner In which the legislative farce has been brought
to an END. 1t Is believed here that the coal con-
spratOrs have been too powerful for The miners In
this matter and that the latter have been sold out
and delivered by the corrupt politicians at the
State capital IL has been intlmeted that Governor
Geary would interpose in the controversy, ana,
through quo acGrraato. compel the railroad
companies to come to more reasonable rates or
freight on coal. 1t Is well understand that the
Governor has all along been extremely favorable to
the cause OF the miners, but it hardly be ex-
pected in view OF the legal points suggested by the
Judiciary Committee, that he viii throw himself so
completely into the breach az the course intlmated
would preciptate him. The fact Is, guDernatorial,
like legislative, interference cannot AFFECT this
matter OF supply of coal ut reasonable rates, and
the fight has got to be finished where 1t began-
among the miners and their employers. Thus far,
It Is generally conceded, the action OF outside parties
has been more mschievous than otherwise ana es-
pecally has II been the with the Investigation
at Harrisburg. No good to the coal interest
sumers has been developed by the legislative CON-
mittee, and 1T may DC said that the state OF things
is more unsatisfactory now than tt was three
months ago. when everybody was set 10 wondering
why q general suspension had been ordered at ALL
The investigation ana discussion at The State CAPT
n
tes:ants each side has discovered some points Of
tactics that were not generally known before, and
there Is less likelihood OF their coming together for
an equitable arrangement than at tho outset of the
trouble Passion has now become the ruling prin-
clple with both operators and miners pride has the
way, and the door seems to he closed to just and
satisfactory adjustment OF the difficulties. But
A CRISIS Is APPROACHING
and will soon be upon the miners in u way that
they and their friends may have occasion TO dread
There is evil brewing, and the day Is not far dis
tant when 1t Will assume tangible shupe. Fully
tnat the state authorities are poweress to
interfere with them, the three great monopollsts in
this county-the Delaware, Lackawana ana West
ern Railroad Company, the Pennsylvania Coal Com
pany and the Delaware and Hudson Canal Com
pany-now propose to crowd the mea formerly
employed by them out or the county or make them
break or their allegiance TO the Miners Union.
Through their organ In Scranton the miners have
been informed that they must agree TO 60 to work
upon the companies terms their places Will be
filed by otner men. The 18th inst has been ap-
pointed "the last day OF grace" and should the
men not make the proposition by that time they
will be debarred the opportunity of working at all
IN any OF the mines OF the corporations and In June
the works Will be put In operation without regard
to the former employees. such Is the ultinutum
OF the coal conspirator5 OUT 1t is not made
a
rled ont. 1t may not be premature to fore
shadow the plan briefly. When work stopped on
the 1st OF December last the miners eit all the inl
plements OF their trade In the hines, and the rst
order given win be the removal Of The private pro-
perty or the miners from tile premises OF the corpo
raJons. rhis Will be the preliminary proceeding IN
the war OF determination which Is TO be waged
upon the lntractaole miners In this region Then
will follow movements still arbitrary and op-
pressive. Most OF the miners occupy houses belong
ing to the companies, and these must be vacated at
once, and then the miner viii have "al tie world
before him where To choose" THIS VIII be the pro-
gramme adopted after the 10Th IL the companies
maintain their present temper and there IS not the
slightest doubt that they VIII recede from IL one
little. Vlndictlyeness, as well spirit OF oppreS-
son now actuates the managers of the coal moiopo-
lies. and they are terrlby III earnest IN their de-
termination TO crush out the innate independence OF
the worKingmen. l nave every reason to believe
That the movements have limited at will commence
next week unless the men succumb and go to
work, trusting entirely 10 the generosity Of the
nouseiess and Oneless before their employers VIII
take one step to bring about an amIcable UNDER
".
We have In this county abont twelve thou
sand miners, quite little army In ITS way !
to throw out OF doors and very dangerous
element 10 let loose in q community when pressed
by deprivation and smarting under sense OF
wrong. 1 have talked with numbers or sensible,
quiet men among the miners, and while they iuly
comprehend the crisis which Is threatened them,
they nevertheless declare Their determination not 10
yield to the conditions suggested by the companies
and are willing to meet any exigency which their
refusal 10 work may bring about. Being equally OBJ
s.inale IN their position with the employers, It
N n rPxtnn
TO have most disastrous and terrible consumma-
ton II the companies attempt to settle 1t as has been
derstanding that both sides inplacabic do not
tnat OF disorder, riot and bloodshed can
the admiration OF the country for the good order
which has been maintained by them during the try
Ing times OF their struggle with capital. But when
their wives and little ones are turned out into
the world, with no place to shelter them,
can we promise that they Will be as
lie hoped that more humane course Will be adopted
by the companies, Instead OF the one which have
dmy shadoWed to the public There IS no seasa.
facts, and 1t may be depended upon that we are
upon the Threshold OF
STIRRING TINES
In the coal regions, unless something turns up not
now anticipated. II affairs shape themselves, as it
coal regions may DC regarded as more critical tnan
at any previous time within the history OF the coal
trade, and a coal famine" may really ensue from
causes entirely different from those which have
occasoned the deadlock now existing. II Is all
very we'll to say tnat the anticipated evils may be
averted by the miners yielding to the companies,
but Is 1t not equa ly the duty o the companies 10 do
something In the way OF Cancellation, aud thus save,
perhaps, the community from scenes which all may
nave occasion To deplore? III tue nIners are turned
out OF their houses by the companies sustained ny
the power OF the law and IL A. evident thaG such an
act Is contemplated. VIII that be the cheapest way |
for them to save their pride or VIII At be sure way
OF making strikes and suspensions less le-
Guent, place the coal business upon q
more stable basisY The people here think
NOT and are impressed with the opinion that as The
miners have demanded nothing unreasonable the
great companies should do more Than they have
offered and spare the men from humiliation in ad-
dition TO the depr1vations which they have endured
during the winter. lne public sentiment here Is
that the companies should ofer more adequate
say one dollar per diamond car or
make some oiler OF concession that I. Ill smooth tile
way TO more satisfactory negotiations. Tnoy can
wei AFFORD TO 40 this, Tor tney rich and powerful
and can AFFORD 10 he generous Instead OF oppressive
Should there be no arrangement within the next ten
DAYS IL may be considered tat the least desirable
plan Is To be carried out and the real trouble OF he
present complications Is to be inaugurated. The |
I..a r,pf