Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-07-27
STRONG TALK.
President Walters Address to the
Striking Miners.
NAY PROVOKE VERY BAD FEELING.
Possibly Another Riot May Result-The
Kansas . Texas Company Adam
dons Its Pit for the
Present.

WEIR CITY, Kan, July 24.--President
Walters, the leader Of the striking
miners, In an address, said, among other
things:
This is the greatest strike ever
known west of the Mississippi river,
and we cannot afford to submit. We
must win, and the only way is 10 win"
He eulogized the women for their ac-
ton In the attack on Clemens
pit, and said that when
he heard the news he rejoiced
at their bravery and regretted that he
was not in the front rank with them
Again, he said Every strip pit In this
district must stop. Let the smelters
and the electric light plant be shut
down, IL necessary, for lack of fuel. II
makes no difference to us. Our success
demands the stoppage of those pits, and
they must be stopped Mt all hazards. II
they are not we are beaten"
Speaking of 49, strip pit, which ran
Saturday and expected to run again
Monday, he said "Put your women
and children In front Of you and 90 TO
the pit with your flags and banners
and see those men When you come TO
the line don't stop, but go right on.
That United States injunction
notice amounts to nothing. You
are violating no law except for
trespass, and they can only arrest you
for that. No matter II 1876 deputies with
Winchesters try TO stop you. Go down
into the pit and persuade those men to
quit work and II they won't quit, per-
suade them. CHEERS Now, mind |
counsel no violence. Laughter. But
they must be persuaded to quit, and IL
one argument doesn't make them quit,
use others that will" Cheers
IF three or four Of you should hap
pen TO catch blackleg out and give him
good, sound thrashing they couldn't
hang you for II. Those scabs ought TO
be tarred and see II we couldn't make
them little blacker than they are"
Ex-Assistant Attorney General Allen,
who was here giving the strikers legal
advice, expressed himself as displeased
at the sentiment Walters uttered.
The Kansas & Texas superintendent
this morning notified all his men that
work at the pits would be abandoned
for the present, since the sheriff failed
TO furnish adequate protection and
notified the deputies at the works that
30 far us the company was concerned it
would no longer pay them; that the
sheriff and his bondsmen would be held
responsible for any damage that might
occur, and legal notice to that effect
was served on them last night When
asked concerning this move the super
intendent said IL simply meant that the
company meant to hold the state and
county with the sheriff and his bonds
men for any damage done, and that he
was unwilling to tell his men they
would be protected when adequate pro-
lection could not be secured.
He said with the exception OF three
or four good men the deputies were
worthless as officers, and some had
openly avowed their intention of not
firing on a mob, while one had gone so
far as to say that he would FIRE on the
posse before he would on the miners
While force of guards could be put on
sufficient to repel an attack it meant
fearful slaughter, with women among
the killed, and the company would in
cur such responsibility only as a last
resort. II the incompetence of the
shcril, ne contluueui IOrceu matters
into such state as to practically COM
pei the county TO purchase its property
through damage suits the company was
willing TO sell out.
Everything was very quiet yes
terday. The attack on ~" which
was planned for to-day, will not come
off, for there will be no worlkmen
there TO attack. 1t is more than prob
able that the mob will gather again,
for the policy Of the leaders is TO keep
mp the enthusiasm of the men by meet
ings, speeches, parades and such de-
vices. As neither city, county nor
state authorities will take any steps TO
break up the unlawful assemblages,
there is no reason to suppose il will be
omitted. One significant part OF Wal
ters' speech is deserving of especial no.
tice. lie said: ARNOLD Is good man,
and you boys must put him back as
sheriff. He is no company tool. He is
on our side.