Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1892-02-27

In the light OF recent events, the
question again recurs ar to the rela-
tions Of labor and capital as EN-.
pioyed in our western mines. That
the two elements are necessary In
tbe proper development and work
ing Of our great mineral resources,
as well as 10 each other, is a we'll
known and indisputable fact. Az q
rule, in the working Of the mines of
Utah. labor and capital have been
In constant and uninterrupted har-
mony, with scarcely a ripple Of dis
content to mar the smooth surface
Of the tranquil sen Of peace on
which both elements float.
Recently, however, II has become
a well known fact that capital in
the East, as represented by the
spectators of Wall street and the
lead and snelter trusts, has en-
deavored 10 stamp out whatever Of
life years Of adverse and unjust leg
islation has left in western mining
As the blow aimed at our great i'm
dustry falls heaviest on the labor
ing class, the question as TO what
relation that class bears TO the gen.
eral prosperity of the country. is not
only pertinent but arbitrarily nee
cssary. Although unjust legislation
that not only permits but absolutely
invites speculation and fraud in the
handling Of the mineral products Of
the country, cripples. TO great ex-
tent, the capital employed in min
ing. II does not bring sure and GER
tain starvation to the doors Of the
owners, as they are people. gener-
ally, Of ample means, who can live
in ease and comfort, even II forced
70 suspend operations in their min
ing properties.
The mineral deposits of the world
were evolved by nature in her great
chemical or metallurgical labora-
tories. and were, and are, in every
case discovered by working men,
prospectors. Being discovered, cap
itsl to q certain extent 10 required
for the development of a mine, but
il is the labor that develops. 1t il
true that mining labor is paid fair
and good wages. but is not 1.-THE
money used in paying those wages
produced by the very labor which IL
pays2 In other words the labor of
The West produce millions and mil
lions and receive out Of those mill
lions only very small percentage
of the wealth thus produced as com
uensation for producing il; while all
the balance goes TO capital, as in
terest on investment; to manufac-
turers Of machinery; TO fuel opera
tors; TO merchants, mechanics and
a host Of other and different indus
tries, trades and occupations. Thus
il will be seen that the mine labor
of the mountain regions not only
produce vast wealth TO he added 70
the capital already in existence but
support by their labor a vast popu-
lation of other callings, who are al
most entirely dependent for a liveli-
hood on the prosperity Of the mines.
There lie one thing that capital,
ner spectators, nor monographs
can take from the miner. and that
is his suffrage. Until our whole
social and political system is over
turned, the American miner and
laborer Of II years and over has Us
much weight at the polls a. VAN
derbilt or O Gould.
This being the case, and his ex-
istence as well as that Of the vast
population which he supports being
dependent on favorable silver legis-
laticn, he should see to il that the
right kind Of men are elected to
Congress.
With the prosperity Of the mines
and agriculture, and all the indus
tries, trades and labor dependent on
them, at stake, oil those interested
should be on the alert and use that
suffrage, which the far-seeing wis
dom Of the founders of the Republic
bestowed upon them. for the pur-
pose Of sending 10 Washington as
their representatives those and only
those who are pledged to free coin
are of silver. /, Stock Journal