The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-12
MINING TROUBLES IN TENNESSEE.

THREATENED FoRcIBLE RESISTANCE TO THE
INTRODUCTION OF coNvIcTs IN THE COAL
MINIS.
KNOXVILLE, August O. 1877.
Inclosed within mountain barriers, East tennessee
IL perhaps the Affected by affairs That disturb tue
world OF any section possessing railroad and
teegraphic facilities Probably should say the ast
for points have recovered from their allie
tons generally only beginning TO realize tho
Effects and thus get douDle sharethe antic patton
belore arrival and the result itselL with he
financial panic, the eplzootc, and now LABOR
troubles IN prospect Tue danger is threatening, but
though different altogether from those OF
currence IN tue Northern and Western ststos yet
wnlic not widespread it will be, unless avertcd
more serious, proportion TO the numbers engaged
than those that have taken place.
The danger apprehsnoed Is from the employm cut of
convict labor In the coal mines The mines are stu.
atcd Careyville and Coal Creek ON the Knoxville
and ONO Iaroad. about thirty miles IRON tuis city,
In this the contemplated introd uct,on of
Is deliberate blow aganst labor without any
Justification paiatiou Whatever, no strike having
place nor was one contemplated, miners nav
ipg work regularly according 20 the terms of
Their contracL The Knoxville Iron Company has
taken the initiative the matter and ntenGs putting
force OF 100 convicts IN then mines ut Coal Creek.
That THIS company Of all others should take this slep
Is most prsing, aud evinces spirit ingratitude
= tcmptlDl ~ xpiclble,
ny be Last WINTER In the severes, weather mo
operatives at al the mines, except those tho Iron
Company struck for restoration VI former prices
winch not beng acceded TO the supply soon OK
hausted. But The miners OF tue Iron Company were
employ ed Tor fixed period at stated wages, annually
ngres,f upon ana renamed a. work, enabling their
company to Ill the existing cVntracts OF the Other
companies ana at the same time monopoze the local
retail market Alter several weeks delay the stri9-
ing miners resumed work. compromise having been
effected which virtually gave them all they had de-
ID lnGeL sun the operatives IN the Knoxville Iron
t'onIpany's mines remained at WORK until the expira-
ton Of INC time agreed upon IN May last, when the
m iacrs naturally expec.ed an advance equal 10 that
PAID by the other companies, but we're refused.
HONEST LABORfRs vs.. FELoNs.
OF course no man questions the technical right OF an
employer pay any OF wages ne may choose. out
IL Is always TO interest tc pay iar conipensa-
uou aud wacn oufy opportunity 10 asked 10 earn
subsistence thur wives aud children ~ looked
donD nara in this instance TO turn them adriit aud
On the places OF honest mcn win convicted fc'onS
M1lIie Magurism at discount IN East tennessee,
bun tue coidrlosded. mercsnary condacs OF Tue COM
pany la question aroused the Indignation OF the en-
IRE community, ana embraces turec-iourths oil Tho
entire population Of Anderson couuty, where
tho coal mines are situated, as well as
those surrounding, and they resolved That
all legal remedies should be used 10 prevent the COM
ing OF tho coEvicts, uat u they did como that they
should not remain. Accordingly organ izaton has
been progressn4 Tor weeks past and men VINO thought
tney lad borne Tor the last time. IN 1850
resumed their weapons, and streets that lard out
Tor purposes OF convenience aud traffic have echoed