The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-07-29
MINERS. pLEA.
Colorndonns write TO Master Workman
Powderiy--T They Urge Him to DO some-
thing for silver.

Colorndoans Write TO Master Workman
Powderiy They Urge Him to DO some
thing for Silver.
ASPEN, Colo, July 22.-The Aspen
miners have addressed the following
letter to Master Workmen Powderly:
DEAR BRoTHnR-1n this time Of our great
misfortune aud distress we look hopefully and
trustingly toward you and ask that you raise
your voice In our behalf. We have heard the
same wish expressed by leading men Of our
state, knowing rs they do the explicit conf.
dence In your integrity aud ability Of the la
boring men OF the country, and appreciating,
rs we all do, the power and influence you can
exert for the relief and benefit Of those who are
bound to you by the closest ties OF brotherhood
In the great cause OF humanity In which we, us
knights OF Labor, are solemnly pledged and
fcrvcntly devoted
We were happy community few short
months ago. Over 1000 men worked in our
mines This, without doubt, is the largest and
most important cighthour working district in
the country The rights of laboring men nre
respected. To-day the mines are. closed down.
Idle men I'LL our streets who are almost hope.
less with despair. They have bcon brought
face to face with the problem Of how to pro.
vide their dependent ones with the common
necessaries OF life. The immediate cause Of oil
this misery is attributable principally to the
dominating influences of merciless plutocracy
ulut nus I1TINly established itself IN the
center Of the world
You know these causes, you have wisely in
structed us upon the labor problems of the day
anu safely guided us by your excellent coun
sels. You live in different surroundings than
your knightly followers of tho mining camps
ana may not be In possession Of the facts and
data to refute the false representations of the
goiunug agents, and, therefore, may find nc.
ceptable the following statement, wdich wc sol.
emnly aver to be absolutely true
l. Silver can not be produced ut thirty cents
nm ounce. We may only cite rs proof OF the
TACT that when the price dropped below eighty
cents the mines and smelters were compelled 10
close down.
:. IT is possible for such bonanza mines ne
the Mollie Gibson, Aspen and Smuggler, in this
camp. to take out ore found in limited quaint.
ties ut remarkably low cost per ounce Of Sill.
yer, but the great ore body Of their mineral can
not be produced with the price of silver in the
eighties or nineties
g. These mines are extremely rare exceptions.
me great majority Of ore-producing mines
have been profitable or unprofita as skill
ana economy may have been practiced in their
Many properties with promising indications
OF good bodies of ore have been untouched since
the price of silver declined below al per ounce
because the risk was too hazardous to under
Jake their development, which might lead tc
deposits OF great value
o. lhe amount OF money and labor expended
IN prospecting for mineral and wasted upon
mineral claims that utterly failed to yield any
quantity Of valuable ore, or thai
IS expended for machinery and labor in the de.
Velopment OF mining property, is largely in ex.
,ess OF the value Of silver at a. per ounce, |
we do not believe IL is an exaggerated state.
nent to say that s2, even s2 so is expended in
search for the metal and in getting it to market
or every ounce that is produced. |
t. invest silver with the rights Of which 1t was |
secretly and unjustly deprived by the infamous |
lemonetfzation act Of 1873, and the mountains |
u Colorado and the gold and silver producing |
states and territories will TEEN with life and |
.cuvity. Here would be an inviting field 10, |
thousands Of idle men of this country at fai, |
wages We can then offer employment and |
ood homes to thousands OF honest lnboripo
men who know not what to do or where tc
urn.
We implore you, therefore, to speak out in
his critical hour and unite the laborins men OF |
he country with us in this great struggle. All. |
rays believing in your great wisdom and firmly
crying upon your love for the workingman.
nd your great prudence, sagacity and judg.
lent, we close with fervent appeal that YOU
ONE to the rescue in this time of need and
ounsel the toiling masses of the country to
DIN IN one solid phalanx, determined to secure
ne rights OF silver and the blessings that must
blow to every man who gains his sustenauce
y the sweat of his brow.