The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1893-05-31
PAY OF MINERS!
IMPORTANT COMMUNICATION !
The Cost of Producing Coal does
not Exceed One Dollar
per Ton!

per Ton!
A Dredful Story of Wrongs and
Oppression.
PUBLIC OPINION AGAINST MINERS.
I,have told you in brief way the
part taken by the press in the emanci-
patton of the coal miner. You are
about to ask ''why are not more per-
sons trying to elevate the miners and
relieve them of their burdens?" Sim
ply because human nature is imper-
feet and the scorn of snobdom, coupled
with the lack of appreciation of the
wage workers themselves renders all
efforts in that direction fruitless.
The one who proposes anything that
would really benefit the miners is
made the laughing stock of the aris-.
tocracy. You must remember that
the coal barons and the rich in gen.
eral, have purchased the best brains
in the valley to defend their planta-
tiOnS. Ninety-nine out of one hum
dred of the scholars and cultivated
gentlemen are subservient to the
money-power. How can we become
emancipated when the brains of the
region are against us? Business men
have not time to bother themselves
in our welfare. They do not know
anything about the condition of the
miners. When anyone attempts to
enter plea for the miners he is
sneered at and met with sarcastic
harrangues. This is done to prejudice
the ignorant workman against you.
1t invariably does. lnsincerity is
flung at you. They assert that you
are working for your own interest.
Thus while you are putting forth
your best endeavOrs to alleviate the
condition of the miners the subsidis-
ed press is getting in it's best work for
the cruel coal barons, and aristocracy
in general. l will cite one case which
will illustrate the point and bring a
criticism home to your state. 1 clip
this from the "Colliery Engineer"
which is a little fairer than many.
1t is scientific magazine of great
prominence in the mining world.
Here it is:
'Hon. Ignatius Donnelly, not sat-
isfied with his futile efforts to rob the
immortal Bard of Avon Of his repu-
tatiOn as poet and playwright, is now
rattling around in his seat as law
maker in the capitol of Minnesota,
endeavoring to regulate the coal trade
of America. With unwarranted eff
frontery, he and his fellow legislators
citation, and defied the civil court which
move has been to call on the legisla-
lures of other states to assist that of
Minnesota in it's fight against the
as correct an idea of the coal bust
ty of Shakespeare claim to author
ship; and he Will be about as success
full in his last effort as he was in
claiming the authorship of Shakes
peare's works for Bacon. But he gets
his name in the papers just the same
as before. Perhaps this is his chief
DESIRE"
This is one of many. Every person,
as | said before, receives such if he is
working for humanity. The satirist
pleases snobdom and is Immediately
Endorsed. Those noble philanthropy
lists whose pens are welded in the in
terest of Cuisines" and "wage-
workers. are always found associated
with the traitors to humanity-the
coal barons. No one is allowed to
work for coal company who COM
plains of injustice. "Take what you
get or leave" is a familiar phrase
used by the mine bosses. Where will
you go? Every place is the same.
"Out of the frying pan into the fire"
seems to be pretty near the point.
The miners must take what they are
offered or starve, and what they are
offered is next to starvation.
If you had the history of one miner
a conclusion could be drawn regard
ing the condition of all. Most are
the same.
You ask me ''do miners ever rise or
become anything better than slaves
to the coal barons." Yes, but the
moment they rise or become a step
above us they cease to be miners or
miners friends. Where, O, where
shall we seek for friends. With these
Introductory remarks, l will proceed
with my argument. | hope you will
excuse my deviation from the points
you wish most-statistical informal
tiOn.
THE NUMBER OF MINERS.
First, there were employed in the an
thracite region in 1891 as miners 3d.
552. AS miners laborers 1880. In
chamber, or direct production of coal
would be:
Miners, 3O,552
Miners Laborers, 1880
Total 5O,142 5O,142
Others employees in the mines, pools
fo1 INF 1n mil