The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-05
MINERS RIGHTS.
from q colored standpoint-1
II. ~vrrx Alr~-~ r.

article in Fridays PosTINTELLIGENcER on
"Miners' Rights" by making great use of the
word "moral" and the term '.morai rights"
Now, let US snalyze his article Did any one
ever hear OF prolonged coal miners strike that
would justify the use Of the words ssrnoral'' or
"lawfuls" as to the action of the coal miners
during said strike?
rfrst-Ask any good insurance company for
rates on coal bunkers and machinery buildings,
around and attached 70 mines where miners are
out on a strike.
second-Read up the history of coal miners
strikes in the United States, and judge for your
selves
Don't overlook the acts Of the Mollie Maguires.
Don't overlook Braidwood, Revere and Rock
Springs, also Newcastle and Gilman in our own
state. And remember that last Sunday morn
ing nine white armed coal miners shot one lone
negro on the railroad at this place. without
cause other than that they outnumbered him
and were not afraid, or that it was morally II
not legally right 1t would, indeed, remind
one of the old saying: 'It takes nine
tailors to make man." Now, white coal
miners, why don't your organized clubs con-
denim this action or take up such criminal acts
in rotation as they occur? Why are your pub
lie statements in the press so untruthful7 What
made the Chamber of Commerce committee of
Seattle drop you so suddenly Why don't you
go to work at the Black Diamond like men and
treat your employers such? For such the
public esteem them. Why do you state that
your children could not 60 to school in Frank
lin, when you know it to be q fact that they
daily passed through the negro camp, as did
your wives on Sundays to church, without fear
or molestation until, in your cowardiee, you
attempted to assassinate colored man In the
dark?
The colored miners have never molested or in
suited anyone since they came here, but on the
other hand have been promptly at their posts
when the whistle blew to begin their daily work
with an earnest desire to render every satisfac-
ton possible to their employers, that the people
of this commonwealth of Washington might see
that they were worthy and peaceable citizens
who came here to make their homes and to
build up the general interests of the people,
All we ask is to be treated as are other citizens
and we promise on our part to obey and respect
the law.
The great difference between white and col
ored miners Is that the colored men are salts
fed to mine the coal and let their employers
conduct the business affairs of the company,
whereas, the white men will not and insist on
doing both. ]. H. ORR.
FRANKLIN, July 8, 1891.
To THE EDITOR: Allow me to express myself
through your most valuable columns as to the
situation and disposition of the colored people
and miners of Franklin. The public seem to
look upon as some kind OF beasts or cattle
corraled or bound In an inclosure for the pur.
pose of being turned loose like wild beasts to de-
your or prey upon others for vengeance. 1t il
far from that. We are as other races-the good
must suffer from the acts of the bad. We know
that we are scoffed at and looked upon a. the
dregs of all races, because we have been OPP
pressed by the cursed yoke OF bondage, and
nothing more. Yet we are people and Ameri-
can citizens. II there 10 one race on the globe
which has a grievance, it 10 the poor colored
al mes hnSaf
combine against them and try to shut them out
Yet they go on rejoicing. Their hearts are al
ways open to those whom they can help. Since
their emancipation the doors of the Knights of
Labor have been thrown open to the colored
man, only to starve him and his family to DEATH
When we were bound to follow our white
brothers to Canaan, we got only to the borders,
while onr white brothers in labor went in and
enjoyed the fruits of the land. We could only
stand and look on. Why did they not extend q
helping hand and show q willingness to share
the harvest? No, that was all we got Then
after they had Toasted, we took peep, and were
abused for looking on and called "scabs" be-
cause we wanted little morsel to help keep our
starving souls as we travel this journey of Life.
Now, the labor unions will condemn US
and make us believe that we are everything
but people. They say we are insulting,
presumptuous and without character. We take
all that without murmur. But here, in Frank
In alone, now iong WouiQ an oi0 colOreu woman
last should she have been among white
miners dixie one of their women) and stood in
the highway and abuse every one that passed,
and even curse and swear at US? We passed
along and let her remain in her ignorance, be-
cause we did not want the world TO say that we
took advantage of an old woman. We are aware
that prejudice is against US here; but where can
we go? 1t is against us everywhere. The brand
OF Cain is on US, so they say, and are TO stand
back and suffer while others live. LAt them call
US scabs if they want to- We have concluded
that half loaf 10 better than none. That is
just what they do, and we have found them out.
When capital or corporations open up enter
prises whereby they or others can make bread
and live, aud they have the chance and won't
take 1t, we will, and thank the parties for lead
ing the way. And we will not undertake to con-
troll or compel others to use their wealth 50 we
see fit.
Now, in conclusion. This is not intended to
create malice or show smartness. These are
facts, and we want the world to know that we
are not the fools that some think we are. We
want to live and to let others live. was
knight Of Labor ave years and know whereof
Ispeak. CHARLES H. JOHNSON (Colored)
THE TARIFF AMI