Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-31

Special Correspondence Of the Cincinnati Gazette
SCRANTON, May 23.-The cities and vii
lagos in the middle and northern coal fields
of the Schuylklll, Lehigh, Wyoming, anC
Lackawanna valleys are becoming literally
alive with communists The recently organ
fed Knights of Labor association, which has
now attained a membership of seventy thou.
sand in the coal and IRON regions OF Pennsyl-
vania, has openly announced its recognition
Of, and utilization with, the Socialists as
socialion, which has begun to make its In
huence and power perceptibly felt in va
rious ways III the sections of the State
where the labor element is particular
ly great and strong. In this part OF
the Lackawanua valley the commun-
istic element has shown a disposition to over
throw and control the government, the chief
municipal officers being members of the So
ciallsts association. In fact, the object of the
communists has become so strongly apparent
that the Roman Catholic church, which Yields
a greater influence in this part of the State
than the regnariy-constituta d authorities,
has raised its voice against the Knight of La
Dor and kindred a-sociar ions. Bishop O'Har-
IA, the repSesei tive head of the church
here, who was such strong opponent OF
Molly MaguHism during IT. prevalence, has
not only huriel The GnaLhemas Of the church
at the KnlsLts ot Llbor association, but has
announced A5 intention of making an inves-
tigation, i that Is possible, of the inside
workings Of the order. Bishop O'Harra and
the Roman Catholic priest of the coal regions,
by their determined opposition TO the schemes
of TIE communistic agi:ators and conspira-
tors, have aroused the bdterest and most bru-
tai feelings OF What may be termed the dan
gerous classes OF nus always lawless region,
where crimes are perpetrated that would
almost outstrip IN their ferocity the atrocities
committed by the Italian or Spanish brigauds,
and they have been threatened with diaboli-
cal treatment il they continue to pursue the
line of action they have mapped out for the
investigation and exunguishment of the
Knights of Labor and Socialists associations
The communists are holding daily and night
ly meetings III remote and secluded parts of
the coal country, where the most terrible
plots and counterplOts for the punishment of
the priests are discussed and perfected. So
far, however, nothing serious has come out
of the gatherings; but so frequent and fierce
have been the threats of violence that we'll
defined feeling of apprehension has begun to
make itself very manifest in the communities
where the police are inadequate to meet any
sudden or organized commuDistic uprising
The coal and railroad companies are reorgan-
iZing and strengthening their police and de-
tective corps, as there are evidences of the
early approach of riotous demonstrations in
train hands and miners have assembled, and
sworn allegiance to the banner of the Knights
of Labor.
In the Schuylkill region, where the COM
munIsts have organized large, well-equipped
and armed rifle corps, the Philadelphia and
Reading coal and iron company has added
two hundred and forty men to the already
large coal and Ion police department. Col
onel WyncoH has been put in command of
this little army Of experienced and deter
mined men, who are armed with Spencer re-
peating rifles and Colts revolvers. Until the
Inauguration of an aggressive movement upon
the part of the communists, this corps of po-
lice will be employed in guarding the bridges
along the line of the Philadelphia and Read
ing railroad, which the knights of Labor
have threatened, in kuklux notices, to de-
stroy.
The striking miners of the Northumber-
lana region, who represent very wicked
class OF socialists, have been guilty of numer-
GUS fragrant and sanguinary outrages, and,
estimating from the number of hideously pic
tured coffin notices which have been re-
Gently sent to different persons who have in
some manuerincurred the hatred of the Molly
Mcguire element-which has begun to raise
its hydra head again-it Is believed that pre-
parations are being made In the dark and
bloody ground" district for a revolution some
time this month The action of the coal op-
a suspension of work at the collierles has oc-
casioned intense dissatisfaction among all
classes of mine operatives, and the Miners
and Lltorers benevolent association and the
Miners National association will probably
order general strike In those districts where
they have jurisdiction, unless the COM
panies offer some compromise arrangement
as to work and wages As there is no posi-
bility of the coal kings altering their pro-
gramme as now arranged, the only alterna-
tive for the miners and laborers would appear
to a stand out" The chances are, that If
the men strike, they will be locked cut of the
mines for an indefinite period. The Social
lists association Is taking advantage of the
unsettled times to stir up dissension and re-
bellIous disturbances, and it is generally adj
mitted that the culmination of the present
troubles must be tragIcai in the extreme.
From what can be gathered from the ofh.
GERS OF the knights OF Labor association In
cautious conversations upon the subject of
communism, it Is quite evident that the
knights are planning for some mischief at no
distant date. From information gathered
from a person IN high authority in the organi-
zation, il Is safe to say that there will be an
organized and systematized movement en-
orineerei w the knights some time within
the next month, and perhaps earler. The
movement will be thoroughly perfected, so
that there nay be no possible hitch at any
point, and the signal tor the laoor revolt Will
De sounded simultaneously 10 those sections
of the country where the knights OF Labor
nave exIstence. The ASSOCIATION will plan
and prompt the scheme, but the other labor
nnions are expected to cooperate in the I'M
dertaking and help carry it to q successful
end. The uprising will be started IN the
eastern States, and upon its inauguration 1t
will immediately spread through Pennsylva-
nil, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Hi
nois Missouri, and other southern and west
ern States.