The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-04
THE MASS MEETING.
Sympathy Expressed for the
Coal Miners.
COMMITTEES TO INVESTIGATE.
Troubles at Franklin and Gilman Dis
eussed-Earnest Speeches and Res
eIufions Adopted.


place last night IN response 10 the cali OF
the committee Of citizens" for q mass
meeting to discuss the trouble at the coal
mines. IL was evident from the enthus-
iasm and applause given the different
speakers that the coal companies had but
few svrnpathizers in the crowd. An ex-
press wagon served for rostrurn. and y.
T. Ronald presided and introduced IS the
first speaker Charles F. Fishback- Nj
Fishback urged that an investigation be
made by q committee Of honorable, intelli-
gent citizens 70 TX the responsibility Tor
the shooting st Franklin. From the con-
fiicting statements of the two sides it was
impossible for him to satisfy himself as to
which side was responsible.
John Bailey and William Maxwell. two
of the Franklin strikers, gave al account
of the shooting and how women and
children took refuge IN the woods. some of
them living in the woods yet, and that
some of the children were lost in the
woods for two or three days before they
were found after the trouble occurred.
Con Lynch, of Seattle, q member of the
Joint local executive board OF the Knights
Of Labor. was the next speaker. He called
attention TO the fact that on the 1st OF
June the miners had petitioned Governor
Ferry to disarm the Sullivan guards and
negroes, but that the governor did not see
1T 10 do so until after some killing had
been done.
Mr.. T. Knox, Of Seattle, another men,
Der of the joint local executive board of
the Knights of Labor. then spoke. Mr..
Knox said: This is an occacion for
which American people never ought TO
have been required TO come together. 1t
is an occasion on which we assemble TO
protest against the shedding OF innocent
blood. If our executive and peace officers
had done their duty there would have
been no occasion for gathering such as
this. Our attorney general has violated his
oath of Office, and the governor of the
state and sheriff of King county have like
wise failed TO enforce the constitution they
have sworn TO uphold" He then read
section "a of article OF the state constitu-
ton, referring to the arming Of large bod
les of men.
Continuing, the speaker paid his respects
to Colonel Haines for acting as COM
mander of the state militia while employed
as attorney for the Oregon improvement
Company, and urged the workingmen to
rise up in their might and swamp every
ofticeholder and politician who favors such
q condition of affairs. Referring to the
appointment of committee of disinter-
ested citizens 10 investigate the circum-
stances of the shooting at Franklin, Mr..
Knox said: "Let q committee be ap-
pointed and sworn to make an impartial
rs have the truth and
we will stand by the consequences"
]. B. Metcalie was called for but did not
appear.
In response to a call for w. II. White,
an old fellow who said he was an ex-con-
federate solder got up, took off his coat
and began to dilate upon his patriotism,
but ne proved to be the wrong white"
and Chairman Ronald soon informed him,
amid shouts of "Louderl" 30, sit down."
ETC., that his time was up. After mutter-
ing protest against such an arbitrary re-
striction on public orator he sat down
and pulled on his coat.
L. II. Allen was then called and re.
sponded by dwelling on the evil tendencies
of corporations in practically gaining
control not only of the finances
of the country, but making serfs
of its workers" He declared that the
Oregon improvement Company had a
right to bring negroes, but not as an
armed mob, and if the company felt that
it was doing justice TO its miners it would
not have brought them armed. "You take
500 or 600 niggers, put firearms in their
hands and they will not only menace the
peace, but the purity of the mothers
and daughters. l told Sullivan that the
sheriff should disarm him and his thugs.
fEhnnfz Of tfNnf lafa n
sentiment is mighty. All sou have TO do
is TO command your public servants. and
tsey must obey. Tell them not to call ont
the militia, but let the sheriff call for good.
reputable citizens to aid in infore-
1000 responses, and it will
cost the county nothing. There is no ex-
cuse for this bloodshed and riot. 1t is a
burning shame to any country. But it
has been done and it lies with you to say
whether il shall be done again. Let your
public servants know what will follow this
neglect of duty, and il will not occur
again. l know Jim Woolery and love
him. / believe he means well, but he did
not know his duty. think he knows il
now and viii do it. Let him have your
moral support"
In response to a general invitation for
anybody who desired to discuss the cues
ton to take the platform and an oppor-
tunity, Il. B. Scott, a colored man.
mounted the wagon. AS soon as il be-
came apparent that Scott proposed to de-
fend the colored miners, there was consid-
cradle interruption and cries of derision.
Chairman Ronald took exception to thi,
and requested that Scott be shown as
much courtesy as the other speak
eSs, even though those present
did>Qot agree with him. After this
he was allowed to proceed. Mr.. Scott
said in substance: II am not here to de-
fend Colonel Haines, but want 10 speak
for the black men. The black man has
figured in every important historical event
IN our country. He was with Washington
when he crossed the Delaware on the ice.
He was with Jackson at New Orleans. He
was with Perry on Lake Erie. Hewss
with Colonel Shaw, of the Massachusetts
Flfty-fourth regiment of colored men, when
he led that heroic charge and died upon
the ramparts Of Fort Wagner. And he was
in many of our Indian wars. Those men
at Franklin are black citizens. MANY of
them wear the button of the G. A. r.. and
they are not Haymarket rioters nor New
Orleans Malta. They have simply at.
tempted TO defend their homes, and I do
not believe they did the shooting that
drove the white miners from their houses
Cries of 'Ratsl'' 30, come off" etc
being raised, the speaker stopped abruptly.
George Parks, the postmaster of Gilman.
was next introduced, and made the speech.
OF the occasion. Mr.. Parks was conserya-
tive yet very forcihle, and offered 10 nav
the expense OF a committed from, TIA g