, 1885-09-22
B. Q. 8 co.
Manager Smith Defends the Firm
in a Striking Manner.
And Shows Another Side to an Oft
Told Tale.

To The Editor Of The LEADER.
Rock SPRINos, Wyo., Sept. 10
The SRt his seen dt during the pa t
two weeks to arraipn the finn Of Beckwith,
Quinn 4 Co., and accuse them OF more
crimes than are known in the criminal
law. Murder, arson, riot, theft, false
statements abuse Of power; with import
ing Chinese slaves from ChIna, British
Columbia and Utah; with compelling
them to buy all their supplies OF goods Of
Beckwith, Quinn x CO.; of charging
them fabulous prices for the same; with
starving white men, aud then with a burst
of fury declaring that these we're only
part Of our crimes, aud that the largest
and worst were held back as something
too terrible % tell.
As the indictment seems to be all in for
the present, perhaps this is the, proper
time to examine some of these accusations
and see what show of truth there is in
them.
First Tho bringing of any one to this
country from any other country. The
firm OF Beckwith, Quinn & Co. have
never done anything Of the kind, and
challenge investigation. They have ad
vanred money to both Chinese and white
men to help them get here from different
places in this country. The exact amounts
could not be given, us in most cases it has
been repaid, but from memory. about the
same mounts have been furnished to
each class. In all cases this has been
done by orders from the Union Pacific
company, for the proof Of which I refer
you to the settlement Of Mr.. Bromley III
yesterday LEADER.
Second: All miners are. and always
have been, hired and discharged by the
coal department or Its authorized agents,
and never in II instance by Beckwih,
Quinn & Co, or at their request.
In regard TO compelling them to buy
goods Of US, let exact facts tell the story,
On II August rolls we Lave the names
Of $50 white men and boys. That is the
number, OF these, lob are coal
miners, the balance, l67, work by the
DAY. OF the 800 meu on ouT rolls, eighty
seven Of them dill not buy Il cents worth
Of u in August; the balance Of then
bought bills from twenty-five cents up
ward, some taking the whole amount
they earned in goods. One fact let III,
mention here, which Of itself will show
the falsity Of this charge. There are in
this village six other stores selling goods
to miners and say they are doing we'll IL
to selling at large prices let any
competent merchant in Wyoming col o
here and examine our goods and books
and see if we are not selling as low as Il
, 'me class Of goods are sold by Others il
this territory.
The next charge, and one that the Sm
harns On day by day, is that men here are
starving. This charge is too silly. have
cnquired Of the oldest miners here if the,
heard Of ons case Of starvation in
this place, and invariably the answer is
No, sir, We never saw a camp 50 well
ed anywhere" | have yet to hear q diff
ferent answer. Let figures 5 The
average price paid miners this includes
all white miners, boys, the sick aud
the Lazy was in July SCI Us;
in August, 500 81. This dur
ing the dull season for coal.
Don't it look as though a man ought not
10 starre on that pay But suppose II
man is sick and unable 10 work, then how
quick a handsome subscription is raised
aud he is relieved. never saw a place
where money could be and always Wa,
raised SO easily aud quickly as here, and
let the Sun ash these old miners if B., Q
Il Co. have been back ward in doing their
part in this work.
AnO,her charge made is that the Chi
nese pay no taxes. Let Us see. During
The uinc years.they have been here tley
have every one paid 4 poll tax, unless
those who on account Of youth or age were
not liable to be taxed. Every one Of these
nine years | have collected from them and
paid into the treasury Of Sweetwater
county between $500 and Sl,OOO poll tax
each year from Chinameu. For the truth
Of this statement | would refer to the
treasurer of this county. This money has
gone to support schools, the benefit Of
which was all for white children During
these same nine years, before the year
1884, The white miners here did not aver
age SIS. 90 poll tax a year. have col
lected most Of these taxes and speak un
derstandingly Any me who doubts is
referre | to the records at Green River.
To conclude. The Union Pacific Rail
road company run their own business. and
Beck wifh Quinn & Co. have no more TO
say in regard to Shom they shall employ,
or discharge, than YOU have. In regard
to the pit bosses showing partiality or sci
ling rooms, | know nothing whatever, as
Beckwnh Quinn X Co. have nothing To
do tn hiring, paving. or discharpiug
them. AMI never had. o. c. SMITH.
or nd Display
Have just received a full line Of furs in
the lat ST sty les Of NeTmrkets. Dul-