The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-07-01
TO THE COAL MINERS.
A Workingman Criticises Their Agents
and Apologists.

SEATTLE June 80, 1891.
To THE EDITOR: In this mornings Teleqroph
q long article appearsin reference to the deplor-
able miners trouble. / have no quarrel with
the article It is q statement from the miners
side, and though slightly eolore1, is in the alb
stract true. In the criticism in said article upon
the so-called lenient action of the peace officers
especially the prosecuting attorney, / do not
concur. Il is exceedingly hard, if not impos-
sible, to convict in cases where the parties in
controversy decline to prosecute or refuse to
testify which certainly was the case with the
two homicides which occurred in Franklin
prior to June 3. An impartial review Of the
cases mentioned leads one to the belief that the
prosecuting attorney would willingly prosecute
ii there was the slightest chance of conviction.
MY object in writing this is TO call the
miners attention to the fact that they are COM
mitting fatal error by allowing such men as
Con Lynch and Robert Bridges to sign their
names to articles in which they, the miners, in
tend to present their side of the to the pub
lie. No one will deny that Seattle an a rule is a
very fair-minded community. In fact its liberal
contributions 10 the striking miners support
proves this. All miners will admit that in this
their struggle they must have public opinion on
their side else they cannot possibly succeed.
In order 10 maintain public confidence and re-
spect they must above all see that the men who
speak to the public in their behalf shall be con-
sentative, calm and truthful Is that the case
with Con Lynch or Robert Bridges? II is with
no desire to assail their characters that assert
that the public record of these men ID far from
being such as to impress public confidence.
Con Lynch recently committed an assault
with razor on Charles Beard, in the Hod Car
riers' union. At the preliminary examination,
testimony under oath proves that the cutting
was q demonstration of hatred more becoming
fanatic or q maniac than q reasonable being.
After Lynch had cut Beard he backed up to the
door, and with threats of violence refused to
permit any one to open the door and go for
police protection. Lynch's attention was called
to the fact that the man whom he had cut was
liable to bleed to death. His answer was brutal,
to say the least: "Let the - - die"
Lynch is now held in $3.50 bail for trial in tho
superior court. If he had the least sense of
honor he would have resigned his official posi-
ton district secretary of the Knights of Labor
pending this trial. Certainly no one is guilty
until so proven. am aware that Lynch claims
self-defense, but however that may be thers GER
tanly is no excuse for his action in refusing his
bleeding victim to obtain medical aid
AS to Robert Bridges, one of his recent actions
will sufficiently prove that he is not public
spirited. Some three months ago, when the or
dinanee was introduced in the city council to
bond the city TO pay floating debts which had
been incurred after the fire in excess of legal
warrant, Bridges organized q systematic opposi-
tluu NASu dshSu Dy the more CONSERVATIVE
workingmen why he opposed the bonds, his
evasive answer was that both of the political
parties were rotten, and nothing but third
party would do for him-no matter at what dis
honor to the city. One man in particular, whose
affidavit can produce if need be, in speaking
TO him, said: bridges, do you know that IL
those bonds are defeated it will block every
wheel of industry" al don't give -" an
swered Mr.. Bridges.
cite this to show that Robert Bridges has not
the interest OF the public at heart and conse.
quently cannot obtain for the miners that public
confidence that is essential TO their cause. I
have no malice 10 Lynch or Bridges, in fact
known them only by sight, and 1 don't believe
they know me, but 1 have the interest of the
miners at heart and believe that the Oregon
Improvement Company has and is assuming the
most arrogant position ever heard OF, and n 1.
because / can see that the miners are losing
public esteem that sound this note of caution
10 them. RICHARD WILLIAM