The New York herald., 1871-03-17
TIE COAL QUESTION.
The investigation Before the Pennsylvania Legis-
lative Committee Character Of the
Proceedings-The Miners Coal Bill
The Proposed Strike in the
Bituminous Coal Region.
HARRISBURG, March 10, 1871.


The battle OF the giants has begun IN dead earnest
Last evening began the second session OF the Judi
ciary wnitewashing Legislative investigating Com
mittee. Gowen. Packer, Sloan, Brlsbln, Sayre and
other railroad magnates put n an appearance about
SIX O'Clock, followed by Healey, President OF the
Miners Union; SIney, President OF the Schuylkil
district and Waters and many other lesser lights
In the capacity OF delegates
The principal business transacted last evening
was the examination or Gowen, Packer and the
others to prove how far they had exceeded the
limits OF their charters and entailed consequent dis
tress. not for the miners particularly, but ON the
coal consumer everywhere. Factories steamship
lines, railroads and private families have, the
country through, been made to suffer through the
unwarranted and unprecedented action Of these
gigantic monopoes 1t is plain to the
most superficial observer that the investigation
Is farce 1t will probably be continued for three,
possibly six, weeks. yet the end has already been
determined upon; 1t is merely question OF imme-
diate or future benefits to the committee which way
they end the proceedings. These who are posted
will tell you that the ralrOad men have "aXedn the
committee and the investigation Is just as sure to
result nthe discontinue OF the miners as il 1t was
written on the walls.
THE COAL BILL
now being leglslated through the House by the
the House Is generally conceded; t8at the Senate
VIII XIII 1t so dead II will never see daylight again
Is also positively decided. what the m1lIerS III the
face OF all these obstacles propose to do what they
have 10 look to III the future 1t Is dicult to de-
termlne.
THE TRUTH OF THE HERALD's REPORTS
mas been vindlcated In this investigation. 1t will
be remembered that HERALD reporter recently
letter IN regard to the recent outrages that cumi.
mated In the death OF miner. The reporter TOOK
Magaires and Bucksnots" We're not sAi mempers of
the W. b. A., but were selfconstituted avengers OF
what they considered the wrongs innicted
half column OF editorial denunciation on
the truth and other pet names too nattering to refer
to at this time. In the course Of Franklin b.
lively that, to the best Of MS knowledge the "Moly
Maguires" and "Buckshots" were not members OF
aud superintendent of a branch or the Lehign VAL
ley Railroad told your reporter the same thing this
W. b. A. do not countenance the outlaws styling
themselves the "Mollys'' and "BucKsnots' II is well
There Is some anxiety manifested by railroad men
concerning the proposed action OF the bituminous
miners. Delegates from the anthracite region will
morrow, and the question will then be def
nitey settled whether the bituminous men VIII
also lay down their TOOLS quit the mines
and work hereafter IN harmony with their brotners
oi the anthracite region. Siney informed me last
sympathy that dictated the proposed SUSPENSION of
bumlnous miners, they would DO all In their power
to ttp,,; dlssuade them from adopting such course.
give our consent to suspension in the bitumlnous
region pubic opinion would change; instead OF
OF which leads me TO think that Siney has within
him the elements of a leader man who knows
when the IRON Is not and strikes always at the right
time.
Investigation Before the Legislative Com
mittee-GoOd Influences of the WorIsirg-
mems Benevolent Association Money
Power of the Railroads Overcoming Lezis-
lnfiye HnnesfV
HARRISBURG, March 16, 1871.
The Judiciary Committee resumed their inves,i-
cation in the Senate Chamber this evening. The
greater part OF the night was spent in
arguing the question OF receiving The EVIL
dence OF the coal operators, which by
some delicate manipulation on the part
OF Gowen was finally admitted. Kenlrlck, Presi-
dent Of the Anthracite Beard OF Trade, was be-
trayed into admitting that the w. B. A. had
the eyil spirits among the miners, which
was received by the miners as very important ad-
mission and point gained Tor their side Of the
question. kendrick also admitted that the wages
week. -
The anthracite Monitor, the miners organ was
offered in evidence, but was bitterly opposed by
Hall, counsel for the miners. The committee over
ruied his objections Just as fast he rise to
state them The railroad men have the
5auie own ana from present aDpear-
aIces are nkcly to retain their Influence with the
committee Gowen, VINO was summoned merely |
as as a Witness, assumes alternately the character
OF plaintiff, counsel ana defendant with perfect |
lmpunity, instead OF trying the main question al |
ISSUE whether The railroads have or have not
violated their charters The committee are sufier-
ing their time TO be occupied with the discussion of
mere technical questions and side issues.
leading olfcer in the Miners Union In referring
10 70 the investigation tonight, said, "The only thing
that operates against us here is what has and al,
ways will. operate AGAINST a poor, man~via..
lack OF funds to place him on a footing
with MS wealthy opponents, and this is lust
what is operating to defeat the miners. The rail
roads have too much money for them
The investigation is considered by dislnterestea |
parties one OF the most barefaced frauus that has
even characterized the Pennsylvania Legislature.
THE EayiGNaL GiME.