The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1875-09-18
THE IMPRISONED MINERS

Much surprise and indignation is being
manifested by the people of the interior
and western portions Of the State, in re-
gard to the non-actIon Of those having in
charge the cases of the imprisoned Clear
field miners, by not bringing their petit
tions before the Board Of Pardons, which
met at Harrlsburgh last week. All the
necessary legal preliminary steps had been
taken by their friends. but the persons
having the matter in charge were persu-
AIDED by the friends of John Siney and
himself, to postpone action in the matter
until after Slney trial, when, if convicted,
Smey Was To be included in the applicants
for pardon, vino are now III prison.
Mr.. SIney resides IN Schuylklll county,
Pa, and is President Of the National
Miners Association, with a salary of over
two thousand dollars per annum, with
his official headquarters at Cleveland,
Ohio. He was indicted at Clearfleld at
the same time and for the same otfense as
were those who are nov IN prison, but had
his trial continued. 1t is asserted by the
friends Of those now III prison, and by
some Of their own number, that 1t was
the official position Of Mr.. SIney i'll their
association that caused them unknowingly
To infringe upon the laws Of this Common
wealth, as he was supposed by them to
understand the laws of the State better
than themselves, " for was he not pald by
us to tell us what to do" Notwithstand-
ing, Mr. SiDey and his friends are anxious
that these poor men shall remain in prison
until his trial and conviction shall take
place, which may not happen for SIX
months, one year, and perhaps never,
when Dir. Slney expects TO shelter himself
behind them and use them to his advan-
tage in freeing himself from the conse-
quences Of his act or his inability to act
The men who are now III prison, and who
would have been free men to-day by the
grace of the Board of Pardons, had it not
been for Siney and his Schuylkill county
friends, we're hurrledly tried, convicted,
sentenced and imprisoned, whilst Siney'
trial was postponed and the best counsel
the county can afford was employed in his
behalf
For one, we are opposed to all chicanery
and double dealing, and think every case
should stand on its own merits free from
outside complications. We also believe
freedom To be Just as sweet and enjoyable
to those poor men now suffering Imprison-
ment, as 1t is to useless salaried official
of an association Of workingmen that was
originated and designed for mutual bene-
fetal purposes, but which, through inca
pacity Of selfish and designing officials has
been made an engine Of oppression to the
rank and file Of its membership.
The above is from the Bellefonte Indus
trial Adrocate, and is one of the most
cowardly and baseless attacks ever made
upon any man or organization. MIR. Slney
has not had the first thing to do with the
parduns, further than working with all his
might and using every influence he pos
sessed, as an individual, To have the men
set at liberty. SO far as being consulted
in having advised pOstponement Of the
application for pardon to them, either in
person or by any Of his Z friends, with
his knowledge, is false. None were or
are more desirous than he that the poor
men in prison, under what we deem an
unjust sentence, should be free at the
earliest possible moment. The philosophy
that their imprisonment could aid him In
procuring a pardon for himself Is new
one, and could have been originated only
in the brain of him who could indite such
stuff as the above, under the guise Of holy
Indignation because of a wrong done the
men in prison by John Siney and his
friends.
The following communication was sent
in refutation, which he (the edItor) re-
fused to publish. Elsewhere We publish
the opinions Of others ON this slanderous
attack
CLEVELAND, o., Aug I6, 1875
To the Editor Of the Industrial Advocate,
Betetoate, Pa:
SIR Il notice in your issue of the 18th
inst, an editorial under the caption Of the
''Imprlsoned Miners" wherein you took
occasion to reflect discreditably on ''John
Siney and his friends, for some sin Of
omission or commission, or both, in the
management of the petitions for pardon
for the men in prison for the Clearfield
trouble. Now, as one Of John Siney's
friends, though not one of the Schuylkil
ones, where he has many, i beg to say that
he is in no way party to any plan By
which the men will be kept in prison tC
s0vve his purpose, and request that you
! furnish the proof for such assertion il