The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1884-09-11
SIRAITS|IL,LES DOON!
Destructive DespOtism !
ROBBING MEN OF TIA Et ze
ALI. rsEC1USE. THEY
IsEFUSE TO BECOME
SLAVES.

About week ago. Walter
Crafts. a hi.h Moonl of the Syn
dicaie, an imported Alabama
Blossom, distinguishing his ar
r. val in The blocking Valley some
wears a.u by forbiddiug his men.
on pe ally of discharge, 10 vote
for Tom Ewing. issued an edict
viii h shows that he has about
| reached the top of the pole, and
and that his Syndicate has at
tained to the ultimate.
The Coal Syndicate. which has
the supreme control of the min
ing interests of the Hooking Val
lev and its tributaries has resolved
to blot the f1ourishing town OF
New Straitsville out of existence
and reduce hundreds, nay thou
sands of people to poverty and
starvation.
This proposed act is without
parallel in the history of the State
and Nation. 1t is a species of des-
potism that well might make the
Gear Of Russia or the Sultan of
Turkey blush for his liberality and
respect for human rights. If the
edict of the Syndicate is carried
out it will be an indelible and in
lannon's disgrace and dishonor to
Republican institutions, and will
form a precedent that will render
unsafe the property Of private in
dividuals who may run counter
to the Unsuitable and ravenous
greed of corporations, syndicates
of capitalists and monopolies.
Years ago the hills around New
Straitsvi!le were sterile and but
sparsely populated. Even this
population could only support it
self with difficulty. The vast Goa!
and iron deposits were there, and
their extent and value fully under
stood, but in the absence of rail
road and proper development they
possessed but little practical
value.
At length a railroad was built:
mines were opened and furnaces
erected in the vicinity. Brawny
and sturdy men were invited to
come and help develop the vast
resources that lay in The hills.
Special offers were made for
them to come. They were offered
lots al tempting'y low prices on
which to build their own houses.
Men from abroad, and men from
Perry and Hooking counties went
thither and New Straitsville be-
came populous center, and the
boast was sent abroad that here
he miners were mostly real estate
owners.
These men who came to New
to dig and delve and
,uiId up fortunes for other men
'ather than for themselves, have
,ut all their surplus earnings into
heir houses and lots. After pay
ng for rood and clothing for them
elves aud their families, they had
little or nothing left except their
OTIS with modest homes upon them.
But they were quite content
hey owned their own homes in
growing town, and they felt that
hey were better prepared than
most Of their vocation for the win
er of life when it came on.
But in the meantime the opera ,
ors and wealthy mine owners had G
eaped fortunes out Of the work of |
he miners, and had erected pal '
ces in distant cities. away from /
he dust and smoke and toll of the 4,
ALLEY, where they lived in splen- i
or upon princely revenues. T. e
alue of property in Straitsville- i
lat is the value Of the little homes
the miners which represents
ieir earnings through long and s
cary years of d :ngerous and G
anne wrecking Toll, depends en-
rely upon The continuance the s
lining and industrial activity Of !.
Ie place. When the Syndicate b
luts down the mines and the rail n
ad no longer carries tho wealth
those sterile hills 10 waiting
arket, the miners of Straifsville :,