The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1871-07-20
CUR SCRANTON LETTER.
SCRANTON. July Is, 1871.

whose daily aVOcatIOHS relulTeu tHeIn 10 pele-
trate the bowels of the earth, and engage them
selves in the very perilous tasks of mining the
Hblack diamond" were walking the streets
with their hands in their pockets, many of
whom could lily afford to remain idle for so
long time, inasmuch as they had large fami-
lies dependent upon them for support. And
what was the immediate cause of this long
continued suspension? Was it because of the
men refusing to perform the labor at fair
ratio of wages. We answer No! 1t was be-
cause of the desire of onopolsts-capitialists
to crush and reduce the price of labor to
the very lowest farthing in order that their
Golfers might be filed to overfowing. The
results Of this suspension were apparent in
every quarter-the merchants, manufacturers
and laboring men-all feeling the weight of
the depressing financial crisis to very great
extent. The masses finally became exaspera-
ted, and the scenes which followed were dis
graceful in the extreme. Arson, bloodshed
and murder were witnessed and perpetrated
upon ou streets, and finally the military of
the State were called into requisition to sub
due the mob. In short time after settle
ment of the difficulties existing betw cen the
miners and the companies was effected, and
work was resumed at once, since which time
our thriving young city has resumed her usual
business activity. Almost Immediately upon
resumption of operations in the mining inter
ests of this valley, however, and just as every
one had began to realize Change for the
better" the news of the terrible disaster at
West Pittston-a repetition of those horri-
bic seems at Avondale--was heralded
throughout the country. Fig hteen more
human beings had entered the mines on that
fatal day to pursue the usual avocations, who
were never again to witness the light of day
while others who were permitted to again
reach terra JfTTnd, were so horribly mangled
and stifled from the impure air which they
had indulged that they servived but 4 short
time. Upon whose shoulders should the cause
of this horrible accident rest 4 Mine inspec-
tor, who receives large salary, is appointed
for the purpose Of attending to the safety Of
| the mines, in order that the lives ofthe miners
might not be endangered, and while he must
have known that this company were working
| their mine in direct violation Of the Mine
Ventilation Law, the above question very
naturally arises. At the time of the Avon
dale horror, by which upwards of hundred
human beings were hurried into enternity,
law was passed by our State Legislature,
requiring that second opening be made to
each mine, so that in case of an accident of
any description, the men could have an avenue
of escape, and, that this company had failed to
comply with the requirements of that law,
thereby causing the loss of the lives of another
score of human beings, is selfevident fact
1t is TO be hoped that the guilty parties may
be speedily brought to justice That the life
of miner is at best a hazardous one is fact
that cannot be denied. Almost daily the
journals of this city are called upon TO chroni-
Gle the instant death or horrible mangling of
some poor creature about the mines, and we
contend that they should be very literally re-
munerated for their labor, and that every pre-
caution looking to their safety should be strict
| y adheared to.
On Sunday evening last our community
was again startled with the fact that another
murder had been committed in our midst 1t
! appears that Henry Art and VIM. Penticost,
| the former most notorious rough, happened
to meet in one of the low groggeries which
infest that portion of our city known as the
Flats, both of them being more or less under
the influence ofbenzine Mr.. Penticost whom
it appears was rather pugilistically inclined,
offered to fight any man in the house. In a
short time after this he (Penticost), started for
his home, when he was followed by Art, and
when short distance from the house, Art
drew knife from his pocket and stabbed him
number of times around the face and head,
when Penticost fell to the ground. Art then
| jumped upon his neck and commenced kicking
him about the head and face, causing wounds
from which Penticost soon expired. Art then
fed and it was not until late hour on Sun
day night that he was found and confined in
the lookup. On Monday the prisoner was
taken to Wilkes Barre, where he will remain
until his case is finally disposed OF in the
courts. Mr. Penticost was an unmarried man,
abont IS years of age and, by his usual steady
conduct and gentlemanly department, had won
a large circle of friends.
The weather for the past two weeks has, in
deed, been unsettled, and very warm, the mer-
curry indicating, at times, 90 deg: in the shade
We have also, each day been visited by very
copious showers, which have been the means
of raising the streams in this vicinity, consid-
erably.
A new Democratic daily paper is to be is
sued in this city in short time. A first class
Democratic paper in this section is thing
sadly needed by that truly demorlized party.
CRITIC.
| In IInnrnnndnn1ol G..o,u e Dooolo