Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-08-16
A HARD PLACE FOR BOYS.
Life in the Pennsylvania CoaI.Breakers
Youthful Depravfry.---

Pittston pa Letter to Philadelphia Press.
1t is almost impossible for one who has not
been an eyewitness to the operations of the
mines to conceive at what tender years the
child in the anthracite region is put to work,
or to know, unless he has actually, in his
younger days, been placed in the same con-
dition as the thousands of boys in the mining
districts, to what injurious influences they
are subjected, and what evil consequences
ensue. Though it may appear incredible, it
is nevertheless q fact that children of all
ages from six years upward find work in the
coal breakers, and toll in dirt in an atmos-
phere thick with carbon dust from dawn till
dark of every day in the week, Sundays ex-
cepted. These little fellows earn from thirty
to forty-6ve cents per day, their labor con-
sisling in picking the slate rock, etc., out of
the coal previously crushed to small pieces
in breaker and screened through huge re-
volving screens that separate the various
sizes of coal. From this occupation, as they
advance in years, they are promoted to mule
driving, and afterward, when they arrive at
mans estate, to laboring and mining, which
is the highest pinnacle that can be reached
by the toiler, whose only companions through
life are men made rough like himself BY
their rough surroundings, and whose only
education is that which he CLEANS from the
noisome breaker and gloomy mine. Here is
a wrong crying for redress. Here is an evil
that cannot be remedied too soon, and here
is chance for some Garrison to point out
the letters that enslave portion OF hu-
msr;ty, and for some Lincoln to strike from
off their limbs those chains of servitude and
make them free.
Out of this community in the northern
portion of Luzerne county, WHICH numbers |
about q, 900 people, upward of 5000 boys,
whose ages vary from six TO fifteen years, are |
engaged about the mines. Having gone TO |
work before they should have been sent 10 |
school in most instances, they grow up in |
utter Ignorance, as 1t is well known that /
when they advance in years and their labor |
increases in value they get |
but little chance to become educated. Thus, /
in this enlightened age, when the tendency of |
humanity is upward and onward, and the |
benefits of education penetrating everywhere |
are extended to all, society is hampered and
he progressive wheels OF civilization are
logged by culpable ignorance. The citizen
s rendered incapable of intelligently dis
charging his duty as citizen, and the fact
hat there is a continuous supply of material
or the demagogue to prey upon ia con-
tant menace to our free Institutions.
lave alluded to the pernicious influences
o which these little boys are subjected
There are no schools in the world where
more evil ia learned, or more innocence de-
troyed, than in the coal-breakers. 1t Is abb
olutely shocking TO watch the vile prac-
ices INDUCED in by those children, hear the
rightful oaths to which they give express
ion, and note their total disregard for re-
igion and morality! Hardened by exposure
o terrible influences, it is hardly to be won-
cred at that the demon of Molly Mcguire
SIM and systematized, cold-blooded murder
cared its monstrous head from out the sinks
hat surround the mines, and maintained its
eign of terror for years.