Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1896-11-02
COAL MINER
Writes About the Condition of His Graft
Under the Gold standard.

Under the GOLD standard.
To the Editor of the Register.
Sir. As the all-important day, the
I'd of November. on which our working
people have the opportunity OF eNer-
cfsing the right of franchise granted
TO MS by the Constitution, IS near at
hand. / wish to call the attention OF
my fellow workman, the coal miners
I'm particular. and all wage earners
generally. to a few undeniable facts
Under the gold standard in these
United States. we are fast drifting 10
the level of the pauper labor Of other
5old standard countries. our people,
the coal miners, are now comparatively
i'm destitute condition, having been
conDelled to accept a reduction Ct l6
cents per ton for mining, September
list 1896. and to-day there are thous-
ands who would he slad TO have the
chance to earn an honest dollar, and
who are willing 10 accept anything in
the way of wages offered By tAe en-
Mover so they would be enabled to
Keen the wolf from the door. THESE
conditions our American people have
heen endeavOring To avoid, but they
are upon US all the same, ana the qieS-
ton is. shall we apply the double stand
ard remedy. which is sure TO Detter
the condition of things, or allow mat
ters TO continue as they are at present.
And if it we're possible. the plutocracy
w0uld further contract the currency IN
the interest of their class.
Now. as to the tariff on coal, even
under the free trade Wilson bill, as
orr Republican friends choose to call
If the tariff is more than the price paid
for mining run of the mine, so that If
the miners of other countries would
mine the coal for nothing. our Amer
loan generator would have an adyan-
tere on account of the transportation
charges. All this is or should be, full
" understood by our people. Our Re
nublican friends claim the Wilson bill
is responsible for the present condition
of the American coal miners, while
nothing could be more absurd. While
there is something wrong, there can
he no question our best statesmen at
tribute ii 20 the gold standard, sim
ply because there is nothing else to
blame.
The condition of the miner is a
sample of nearly all the producing
class. but those who have suffered
most under the gold standard are the
farmers. All that is necessary is a
little inquiry and investigation. It
seems strange to the ordinary thinking
man that the plutocracy Of this coun-
try would spend millions of money in
this campaign TO continue the gold
standard in the interest of the pro-
ducing classes. Isn't that nice and
charitable TO do all this for US? It is
worth giving some thought, but there
is no question that money, brains lit
erature, persuasion. coercion and pref
udice. seem TO be paramount over some
of our workig peoples better judy
ment; yet I am glad to say, it is not so
i'm many cases I know of.
It appears the line has been drawn
between the money power of the coun-
try and the producing class, which is
no fault of the latter. The inconsis-
tencies practiced by he former have
done he business. The question is
shall we vote exclusively in the inter-
est of capital 0r vote little in our
own interest?
". s. BERISFORD