The New York herald., 1873-12-30
Continued Opposition Of the Delaware and
Hudson Canal Company and lis
Men at Carbondale, Pa.
a Deputation of Miners and Labor
ers Interview the President
of the Company.

son Canal Company have been occupied free by the
miners for upwards OF 21 years, and as a natural
consequence Of the law that gives recognition to
the right OF prolonged occupancy the miners claim
that the land is theirs. They have built houses re-
claimed the wilderness, made improvements, and
now refuse to sign leases TO the company, as they
believe they would in such an event be signing
away their legal rights to the property. deputa-
tion OF half dozen workingmen waited on Thomas
Dickson, Esq, President of the Delaware and Hud-
son Canal Company, at his office in this city, on
Tuesday last, and had
AN INTERVIEW
with him on the subject The deputatlon con-
slated OF Messrs. Mooney, Fitzpatrick, Gordon,
Walsh and Collins. The company's land agent at
Providence, a short distance from Scranton, was
telegraphed for and shortly put in an appearance
The HERALD correspondent was the only re-
porter who was cogniZant Of the interview. Mr.
Dickson seemed at the outset to object to any re-
porter being present, but he finally consented to
allow your correspondent to remain during the In
terview, OF which the following Is verbatim
report:-
Mr. DIcKsoN-well men, we are prepared to
hear what you have TO say on this land question at
Carbondale.
Mr. MOoNEY-wer, we are not prepared to say
terday IN Carbonate from Mr.. Pierce, of this city,
stating that he had seen you, that he thought the
recommended deputaton to wait on you. Ac-
cordingly, meeting was held last night and ap-
what terms you propose to sell the land. up0A
Mr. DICKsoN-Have you seen my letter to our
agent, Mr.. WestonS
Mr. MOONEY-Yes, we saw II while we were on
our way here In the cars
Mr.. DIcKsoN-That letter contains our sentiments
on the subject. am wiling it should be settled as
soon as possible.
Mr. MooNEY-The great point is, that the men
think they would be signing away their rights by
n
Mr. DICKsoN-We are wiling to make the lease
such as viii embody the sentiments OF that letter.
WE DON'T WANT YOUR PROPERTY. WE SIMPLY
WANT OUR RIGHTS,
and those we propose to have. The idea Is not
entirely new one It was advanced some 10 years
not put in force We propose chat you shall take
lease because we want our rights recognized.
MIR. MOONEY-You don't consider tnat we have
any rights thenP
Mr.. DIcKsoN-Certainly do II the present
lease does not give satisfaction then we shall draw
up another one, giving you the option and 1rst
privilege to purchase.
Mr.. WESTON aand agent,-The old leases give
year only. The new ones Will be made out from
Mr.. KLPirRIok-Does not the lease say, five
don't remove our house before the lease runs out,
that we don't own them after that time.
Mr. WEsToN-The lease doesn't say so.
Mr.. MOONBY-But 1t implies as much.
Mr.. WESToN-It gives you the option to remove
your house before the expiration OF the lease.
Mr. Lease goes not give rs the
without your agents consent.
Mr.. DICKsoN-I suppose you mean transfer.
Mr. MooNEY-No, mean to rent any portion OF
Mr. OoLLINs-The lease gives the company the
privilege of running road right through our
houses without giving US any compensation.
Mr.. DICKSoN-Well, have We ever taken any ad-
vantage OF your Have we not always compensated
your uH
Mr.. CoLLINs-Always yes. sir, you have.
Mr.. DICKsoN-My idea Is to give the men the
right to occupy the lands as they have been, with
A t,a Arot rtn n n nro
put IN the market at price to be liked now-that
ds as soon as we can make survey OF the prop
erty. .es sntnWf9 III ra
Mr.. KILpATRIcK-well, suppose we can be
good friends, and go on with our work in the
Mr.. DICKsoN-we must have the thing settled
before any work Is commenced.
>Mr. COLLINS-I have expended every dollar that
earned IN the last q years In improving my lot
now TO haye to give 1t up.
we want you to fix your title. ..lH
Mr. WEsToN-The company has never threatened
you nor said you would have to give your property
up, although great deal has been said about the
Mr.. WALsH-Then the only way to settle it is to
SELL US THE LAND AT WHAT IT WAS WORTH WHEN
WE CAME THERE
and that is very little.
Mr.. DUDLEY GoRDoN-Is 1t to the surface or the
mineral you lay caimf
Mr.. DICKsoN-BOth.
as we then ten you the
not even il you don't give them wOrk-no mat ter
what the consequence may be. All that have ex-
pressed their views say that they will sign no
leases, although they may consent TO buy out at
reasonable prices, not that they don't think the
land belongs to them, but because they want the
pleasure OF working for the company-lf pleasure 1t
may be called-and because there are no other
works ia the city.
Mr.. DIoKsoN--ft strikes me as being emnenty
proper that the men should confde In the company
~ little more There is 10 desire 10 take anything
that is not ours legally and equtaby.
Mr. MooNEY-The company took wrong way OF
Tn a n III do O. anf linz xyif 10 m
Mr.. DICKSoN-This Is not new question ut all. 1t
las been standing order tor many years.
Mr.. COLLTNs-I have lived on the land 81 years
and have never been asked to take lease before
now. II had been would not nave expended all
my earnings on It and put up house TO have it
Mr.. DIcKsoN-fhere is no desire to take your
house from you.
Mr.. KILPATRIcK-when bought my property at
.Sherin's sale was told that would never be dis
turDed. It has cost me $l1oo to sut up a house.
Mr.. MoONEY-It is not the original squatters alone
who are sufferers by this transaction, but also the
young men who board with their parents, even
they not allowed TO work because their parents
hold land on the squatters' right
Mr.. DICKsoN-We don't want but what Is just.
n man goes into your house, for instance, on suf
frage ana you allow hlm TO reside there for a GER
tain time, and that when you wanted him to give
up you wouldn't be the best Of friends In case he
Mr. MooNEY-That is quite different case, sir,
WE DID NOT co IN on SUFFRAGE. WE WE'RE IN
.4eu4 vITED BY THE COMPANY
to 60 and settle on what was a wilderness, and
we made our homes there and expended our
money upon improvements, and when we have
done that you want US to give them mp.
Mr.. DICKsoN-We will let you remain there; all
we want you to do is to recognize US as your land,
lord and recognize our title. Whenever we feel
disposed to sell you shall have the premier privi-
lege OF purchase.
Mr. MooNEY-The men want TO buy now.
Mr.. WALsH-Fm AFRAID You want to get the lock
on us.
Mr. DIcKsoN-My record with the men in the
past think, Is sufficient guaranty OF my charac-
ter In that regard. tH
Mr.. KILPATRIcK-Can we go to work In the mean
tme2 NsH4
Mr.. DrKoN--Not until this is settled.
Mr.. WALsH-The men want TO know what y ou
think the land is WORTH
Mr.. DiCKSON-That we cannot tell until we have
made surveys OF the property.
MIR. MoONEY-The company took away the lum-
Der for the surface aud the coal IRON beneath and
surely the land can't be worth much TO them now.
The house lived IN caved IN three times.
Mr.. DIcKsoN-weli, you are not compelled to stay
there; you take ali these chances.
Mr.. MOONEY cannot get away.
Mr. DrCKsON-I want you 10 lay the terms OF my
letter to Mr.. Weston, our agent, before the men.
uf nnf mi fts-