The New York herald., 1877-03-17
THE DISTRESSED COLLIERs.
MASS MEETING OF MINERS YESTERDAY IN THE
LEHIGH AND wILKEsBARRE COAL REGIoN-
SUFFERING AMONG THE uSEMpLoYED-A GEN.
ERAL STRIKE THREATENED.

LEHIGH AND wILKEsBARRE COAL REGION
SUFFERING AMONG THE uxEMpLoYEp-A GEN.
ERAL STRIKE THgEATENED.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD
wmKxsnARRE, Pa, March 10 1871
very large meeting of miners who been
ployed In the cocres OF the Lehigh and wiikesba.re
Coal Company was held in one OF the public halls Of
this city this morning. The room was crowded to
sunocation. Alter the meeting fully organized an
opportunity was offered for general expression
OF opinion There we're representatives present
from nearly all the mines in this locality, and
the speeches marked a determination to resist
the reduction. One man very cmphatcay de-
clarcd that the promises OF steady employment
held out by the order OF things was an
idle one, and he told tho miners that they might
we'll 'dic like mon as like dogs" Another speaker
assured the men that the present contest between
capital and labor was unlike anything which bad
before occurred. In the past 1t had been the weak
against tho strong but both sides were weak, and
tho battle would be quickly ended in favor Of
the other He said that he knew number Of good,
steady, prudent men in Plymouth whose children got
their bread by begging from door to door He advised
caution, however saying that no would rather be sure
that the OF the Delaware Lackawanna and Western
and Delaware and Hudson coeries would unto with
them before a general strike is prcciptated. This
speaker conended that would be far better for the
men II tho companies would establish a commissary
department, and feed tho miners and their families
return for the labor OF tho former.
Many other speeches were made, the general tone OF
which clearly Indicated that the miners dosred to
sist the reduction in their wages.
REALITY AND SUFFERING.
There Is no doubt at AL AS TO the existence OF suffer
ing among the men. Their pay has been forced down
to a very low MAXIMUM and as most Of thcm have
large families II Is easy to that any further reduc
ion means an increase OF distress, but The men also
know that the companies have been making nothing
as compared with former years aud that since the
breaking OF the combination, which maintained good
prices. matters have been forced from bad 70
continually.
TiE STREETS FILLED OILERS.
To.dny the streets are lul OF idle men nuddled to-
gcthcr In groups the street corners talking
tcntoiL-how 10 better their sorry condition. II has
been showing all day. and tho inclemency ana general
gloom adds 10 the dependency.
TRYING FOR GENERAL STRIKE.
Before the meeting adjourned to day committees
wcre appointed TO ascertain the feeling existing gen.
orally among the mon employed IN all tho collicries
tho Wyoming and Lchigb coal regions. strong efforts
with their brethren hero and inanguratc u general
strike. II the plan fails the miners this locality
will probably be forced to resume work. Tho COM
mtecs rcierrcd TO are 10 report at meeting to
be held in this city on Wednesday next
RECEIVING THEM PAY.
Tho men employed in the mines Of tho Lchigh and
Wikcsbarro Coal Company were paid Today for work
February work on the Goth inst. This may create a
better feeling, as much dsconent has followed tho
omission to pay promptly. .