The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1874-10-17
FROM KENTUCKY.
DARLINGTON, Oct. 3, 1874

EAhLlN0AONs Wv - 10
To the Editor Of the woaKIxsxAx's ADyocATs.
Since / wrote you last great change
has taken place here, and shall now take
back what then said about the miners in
this locality, as there has been great rev
olution taken place in their minds, and ]
am glad to say in the cause of labor il has
been for the better.
At the latter end Of last month, Col.
Seebre, President Of the st Bernard Goal
Company, called the men together, and
announced to them that he could not pay
the three and half cents per bushel, az
cording to custom anu agreement that they
had with him heretofore. A mass me Getting
was then called, which was held on the 26ih
ult., to discuss his proposition, to work
till the first Of December at our summer
price, three cents. or stand out till he would
pay the three and half, according to his
former contract, and on the ballot being
taken there Was only sixteen for going to
work ont Of two hundred and twenty-four
men.
| Soon the first Of the month We had hand
bi Is distributed through the various parts
of the country declaring ourselves on
STRIKE. So far we have had only two or
three individuals that have tried the
blackleg system, but they soon quit, and
now say that it don't pay to be mean.
There are also some negroes who were
working in one mine here before the strike
who are still at work with some few excep-
tons Some have come out, and more
wants to come out, but, | understand they
are guarded.
The st. Bernard, like many other ty-
ranical labor opposing companies has al
ways tried the plan Of keeping us in awe,
by threatening us with bringing on negroes
to fill our places. This time they have
tried it by bringing on two lots Of them,
but now that plan don't work worth cent
Last Sunday evening, | am informed, they
got all the negroes together in the com
pany's store, and armed them and march
ed them through the streets to their quar-
tiers. Now what such arming as that can
mean know not, except only to insult the
peaceable miners, and to provoke them 70
acts Of violence, BY which they could steal
from us the sympathies Of the good citi-
zens of this county, but in that they have
failed, as have not heard of the first in
stance of miner offering any violence to
any one since the strike commenced and
| am heartily pleased to see them 50 peace
able, under such Giro INSTANCES.
The miners Of the St Bernard yesterday
received written notices to leave thei
houses within three days, but little they
needed them. 1t seemed rather to be
cause Of great deal of mirth instead 0
sorrow. At present it seems to be threat
ening long strike, but let it come. w
are determined to have our rights, let i
cost what it may.
o, how wish Mr. Siney or some equal
ly talented man could be with us now.
am sure it would effect great good, and
earnestly urge upon themlners IN all place
particularly this place) the necessity Of
more effectual union among them, TO
more perfect protection against tyranny o
every form.
cannot close this letter without lettin.
your readers know how thankful we are t.
the citizens of this county for their prof
fered assistance which is most beautifully
so early in the strike. Although poor. We
are with such noble benefactors. If We
stand to each other. we can fight it out t
successful issue Wealso desire to thanl
Mr., Ford, Superintendent Of the Heel;
mines. All honor and praise is due fol
the step he has taken, by giving the hal
cent, and keeping his men at work.
Miners remember such good men tina
will help US to gain our rights is the ear
nest prayers Of yours,
A DErERMINEn SrRUGGLER