davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
R0BBlNG PILLARS.
From the Colliery Engineer.

from tne COlllery Engineer.
The unfa!niliarity of metropolitan news
paper men with mining methods and min
ing terms, Is responsible for absurd criti-
cisms published on the "rrprehensible
practice OF robbing the pillars" In most
such cases the miners are charged with
this crime" The vast majority of our
readers do not need any explanation of the
term ''robbing pillars but the general
public does. When q coal mine is opened
on the room and chamber principle haul
age roads varying In width from to a
feet and generally Il feet wide, are driven
in the coal. From these roads chambers.
which start from the haulage roads as
narrow openings. are opened on one side.
These narrow openings are driven in the
coal from to u yards and then the cham
Der or room Is driven for so or 100 yarls
further with n width of from to Il wards
Pillars OF coal of various sizes. depending
on local conditions, are left standing.
These pillars are largest In close prox-
unity to the haulage roads or main arter-
les of the mine, and those between the
chambers are as a rule the same width as
the chambers. These pillars are solid
coal except that at distances of every 20
or 30 yards small cross headings or holes
are driven through them to assist in
keeping currents of fresh air close against
the working faces.
In the first working OF a mine only from
one-thrd to one-half the available coal
Is taken. When the workings reach the
boundary of the tract worked. the "rop-
bing of pillars" begins. This "robbing OF
pillars" means that miners are set to work
at the inside pillars, and they remove all
of them in regular order down to those
lying next the main haulago road. Tnis
rcbbing of pillars when properly conduct
ed,and close attention is given to the con-
ditions o: the roof and floor of the seam
worked. Is not particularly dangerous
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
Mining Less Dangerous Than Rail-
rOading.

An interesting comparison is made
by the -Colliery Engineer between the
risks of mining and those of railroad
ing. 1t would doubtless be supposed
by nine persons out of ten that mining
is the most dangerous vocation known.
But the Interstate commerce commits
sions report for 1895 gives a different
impression.
According to this report, one railway
employe was killed, last year. for each
433 employed and one employe was in
jured for 81 employed. This ratio is
based on the total number of employees.
including officials, clerks, telegraphers,
etc. OF the class known as trainmen,
that is, engineers, firemcn, conductors,
and others whose service is upon trains,
1t appears that one was killed for each
155 in service, and one was injured for
each II in service. This latter class of
employees" as the Colliery Engineer OBJ
serves, 'are those that for purposes of
comparison should be classed with the
mine employees, as like mine employees
they are the class that take the risk
According to the Kline Inspectors
statistics for 1895 1t appears that in the
anthracite coal fields, admittedly the
most dangerous of all, one mine en-
ploye was killed in that year for each $40
employed and one injured for each 12S
employed. In the bitumnous field there
was one fatality for each 54S employees
and one employe injured for each 293
employed And 1t must be remembered,
too, that lowing to more extensive
mines, greater use of machinery, the
presence of more gas. etc, etc, the coal
mines of Pennsylvania are the most
dangerous on this continent"
Taking both anthracite and bitumin-
Gus mining together, we find that there
was one life lost for each 410 employees,
and one person injured for each 14s en-
| ployed Comparing these ratios with
those given for railroading. we find that
railroading is almost three times al
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
THE REPUBLICAN PLATFORM.

!. Tariff, not only to furnish adequate
revenue for the necessary expenses OF the
government, but to protect American Ia
Dor from degradation to the wage level
of other lands. .. Reciprocal agreements
for open markets and discriminating du-
ties in favor of the American merchant
marine. 3. Maintenance of the existing
gold standard and opposition to free coin
age of silver except by international
agreement with the leading commercial
nations of the world. 4. Pensions and
preferences for veterans OF the Union
army. 8. A firm, vigorous and digniied
foreign policy. 6. The Hawaiian Islands
to be controlled by the United States; the
Nicaraguan canal to be built; naval sta
tion in the West Indies. Z. Protection of
American citizens and property in Turkey.
s. Reassertion Of the Monroe doctrine.
Eventual withdrawal of European powers
from this hemisphere and union OF all
Engl!sh-speaking people on this continent.
.. The Unitcj States actively to use influ-
enca to restore peace and give independ-
encc to Cuba. 10. Enlargement of the
navy, defense of harbors and seacoasts.
II. Exclusion of illiterate and immoral i'm
migrants u. Reapproval of the civil SER
vice law. 13. A free ballot and an honest
count. II. Condemnation of lynching. Is.
Approval of national arbitration. 16. Ap-
proval OF a free homestead law. II. Ad-
mission of the remaining territories. rep
resentation for Alaska and abolition of
carpctbag federal officers. IS. sympathy
with legitimate efforts to lessen intemper-
ance. 49, Sympathetic reference to "the
rights and interests of woman."-Con-
densed by the Herald.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
ALEVY ON PRODUCTION.
j. b. Mann in Washington Post.

The owners of silver under free coin
age will double their money, and what
they make has to be paid by the COM
munity, the same as when u merchant
mraks his silks from dollar to two
dollars His customers know they have
to pay the difference If they continue to
trade with him. The profit in coinage be-
comes q levy on production and there is
no way to escape it under legal tender
clause This profit is also dead weight
on business, so astounding that few real
ize its certain consequences. The amount
Of silver in the hands of the wealthy cap
italists or within their reach IL not less
than $500, 100000 with silver at present
price. Free coinage will give an issue
of one thousand million. Thus, IN order
TO turn our stock of silver bullion lhto
dollars we put aload of five hundred NIL
lion on production, and pay the amount 10
tho owners of the metal as a bonus ioi
tho uss of it as currency. 1t IS eNuiValen.
to n 1ding the sum to the national 'ep.
and cannot be done without plunging all
kinds of business into disaster Tor long
time,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

Men who tell us that the prices of
farm products have fallen and that
the farmer for that reason is a suf-
ferer forget that while the price of
wages has risen on the farm the eff
ficency of labor has increased: that
the cost of production has been reduced
through the aid of machinery, while the
wages of the individual laborer may
have risen. While wages remain at
their present rate hope there will be a
further and further continuous decrease
in the cost of living. There is no way
in which l can be admitted to a share
of Gods bounty except through fall
in the prices Of the necessaries of life"
From Bourke Cockran's Speech.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
Mr.. Bryan is resting his tired brain
by talking at every way station.
A Fair Challenge.

The fact that under the gold standard
the wage dollar paid to labor will buy
more than under the silver standard
which Bryan is trying to substitute is
conceded by Democrats when they call
the gold dollar a 200-cent dollar. They
say they want cheaper dollar, one
that will buy less than the gold dollar
buys, and the reason they give is that
it would be easier for the workinEman
to earn cheap dollar than to earn Il
dear one. This latter assertion rests
on no evidence whatever. 1t is simply
prediction, falsified by all the teach
ings of past attempts to cheaper the
dollar, and rendered highly incredible
by the general character Of the men
who make it.
But before the workingman votes to
give up the gold dollar that buys 100
cents worth of groceries and supplies,
pioned by Bryan, let him consider care
fully what has been his experience un-
der the gold standard and how it COM
pares with the experience of the work.
ingmen who live in countries like Mex
leo, China and Japan, where silver is
already the standard of values. We es-
pecially recommend to his attentive
perusal the following quotation from
the Washington Post: .'In every city,
town, or township in the United States
there are men now living who were
wage-earners in the years before the
war, when we had free coinage. but
did very little coming of silver. These
men have not forgotten what they
earned in those days. and they know
what is earned now in the same occu-
pations. They cannot be misled by
statements that conflict with the facts
of their own experience and observa-
tion. The younger voters can find in
the senate report of 1893, on wages,
transportation and prices, the same les
sons that the older ones learned in
practical affairs in ante-bellum days.
Here are some of the average daily
earnings of workingmen in the United
States: Plasterers in 1860 $1.75. In 1890
$3.50; blacksmiths in 1860 SIPS. in 1890
So: painters in 1860 s1.25, in 1890 $3.50;
carpenters in 1860 sl.52, in 1890 $1.94;
machinists in 1860 $l.76. in 1890 s2.19;
brakemen on railroads in 1860 $1.25, in
1890 81; locomotive engineers in 1860
$3.50, in 1890 1897. The entire record
shows an average increase in wages In
all Industrial occupations of more than
6S per cent. in those thirty years.
III we take the years since 1873
since silver was 'demonetized' and the
gold standard adopted-we still find
that wages have not declined; that,
on the other hand. wages have risen,
decreasing, not increasing, the difficult
ty of obtaining dollar. The general
average in 1879 was $1.39, and in 1891,
S1.6S. And while wages have been go
ing up! the working day has been grow
ing shorter, and the reduced cost of
production has reduced the prices of
nearly all the necessaries of life. In
fifty years the labor day has been
shortened from fourteen to ten hours,
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

The statement that there Is not gold
enough in the world to do the business
of the world shows a confused idea of
the meaning of a standard of value
The bushel may be of tin, brass, wood
or hemp so long as it holds a certain
fixed quantity. Any dollar that is as
good as gold dollar will do just as well
as the actual dollar of gold 1t is not
contemplated that under the gold
standard gold dollars only shall be in
circulation. All gold standard countries
use silver and paper money as well as
gold. But no silver standard country
uses gold for money, because gold coin
will not circulate on terms of equality
with coin worth less than gold. Yet
even if we had to use gold altogether.
it is fact that gold production is in
creasing at a faster rate than the popu-
lation is.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
Liquor Law Defects.

1t is reported, with what degree of
correctness we do not know. that self
appointed committee of gentlemen in
Guiding clergymen, business men and
lawyers. is at work in Harrisburg and
Philadelphia upon a revision of the
Brooks high license law. the details of
which will be submitted to the next
legislature. Among the changes said
to be under consideration are the adop-
ton in first and second class cities of
practically the Raines law,under which
any applicant may secure a license to
sell liquor whenever he shall have pro-
duced the necessary price; and also the
enactment of stringent penalties to
cover the case of brewers or distillers
convicted of setting up retailers Oh
mortgage security.
The limiting of the scope of these
proposed amendments to Philadelphia
and Pittsburg would deprive the people
generally of all but curious interest
in the experiment, and would therefore
prove unfortunate. AS a matter of the
ory we have always held that If it be
right to license one man to sell liquor
the same privilege ought to be accorded
to any other man who is willing to
comply with the same conditions.
This, we take it. Is the cardinal prin-
ciple of the Raines law. Under that
law there is no discrimination beyond
the primary requirements for license.
AS many licenses can be taken out as
there are men willing to invest in Ii
censes. Thus the monopolistic feature
of the Brooks law, which gives license
rights to one man and denies them
to another, often arbitrarily, is cor
rected I'm a spirit of equity. Equality
of privilege before the law is as desir-
able in the case of saloon keepers, 1t
seems to us. as in that of any other
class of citizens.
pul tht oilt StulIlpllIS, Dio'N III
the way of the proper solution of the
license problem in this state is the
fact that the machinery for the en-
forcemcnt of tho liquor laws is anti
quated, unsatisfactory and VIGOROUSLY
ineffective. 1t degrades the judiciary
to compel it to superintend the periodi-
cal distribution of licenses, and it
brings serious discredt upon the courts
to have constables make quarterly re-
turn of conspicuous untruths relative
to the operation of those laws. No
judge, however pure minded, can rise
above partisanship or Partially in the
granting of licenses, and no constable,
however vigilant, can be expected to
see for paltry fee misdemeanor
which it is generally made worth his
while not to see In our Judgement the
machinery of the Raines law is infincte-
ly preferable to that of the Brooks law
and the principal underlying it is GER
tainly fairer and more democratic.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

With its current number the Colliery
Engineer appears in new form. The
size of its pages have been reduced
to nine by twelve inches. and the num-
ber of pages has been increased pro-
portionately. This gives neater and
more convenient form, and serves all
the better to display the increasing mer-
culated mining trade Journal in tho
world.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

The Times says in effect that we owe
the silver mine-owner AZ cents on the
dollar for demonetizing silver in 1873.
That depends upon whether coinage
laws are made for the benefit of special
classes or the whole people. What
right has any mine-owner to imagine
he has mortgage on a United States
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
FORERUNNER OF MISFORTUNE

From the New York Advertiser.
Mr.. Bryan, as the advance agent ,rn'l o.
bankruptcy, is a glittering success. M
is demonstrated by some figures suppiIsC
by r. G. Dun & Co., which snow that ti,'
business failures for the hrst elsnt ,ou uay ,s ,
of August last year asgresa'eu "-1oo'' ''
tbis year they foot up nearly $ooO'OOo
,rb;s is due TO the prospect of free silver
and the prospect isn't very bright, either
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

has been increased from 100 to 200 per
cent, and wages have more than
doubled"
If the advocates of free coinage will
point us to single silver-standard
country where a similar improvement
has been wrought in the pay and con-
ditions of labor. we will throw up the
sponge and vote for Bryan.
When two such eminent men as Jones
and Altgeld fall out, it ought to be a
tip to honest men to get together.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
TOLD BY THE STARS.
Daily Horoscope Drawn by Ajacchus
The Tribune Astrologcr.
Astrolabe cast: 2.23 a. m, for Friday,
Aug. 81 1896


A child born on this day would prob
ably fight shy of a gold dollar If it was
endorsed by some of mental trolley sys-
tens hereabouts who have taken up
the fight for silver.
1t is the consensus of opinion that Billy
Bryan Will not spill over his pedestal of
greatness during the present campaign.
If Harry Hopewell had been allowed to
umpire the game yesterday things might
have been different.
There seems no question of Mr.. Bo-
lands earnestness in the present CAM
paign. He even becomes enthusiastic
over Sewall.
In keeping the Forum of the People,
sizzling, the editor of the Times will need
more titles than cat has lives.
Breakfast Chat.
Why do you think that Sarah is qualified
to be known as a New WomaN
Because she is 50 fresh
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

dangerous as coal mining. Nevertfle-
less. mining is dangerous enough. and
there is need of increased caution, care
the lives OF those who from 1t earn a
livelihood.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
LITTLE LEFT.

From the New York Advertiser.
Now that Uncle John Sherman has had
an encounter with the free silver cause
there is precious little left of it.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
WHY, INDEED!

From the Times-Herald.
Why should u man who would refuse TO
trade 100 cents for SO cents vote TO eX-
change his 100 cent salary Tor o5-cent
salary?
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
WISDOM RATHER THAN WIND

From the Boston Journal.
The 800 words from Canton seem to have
won more votes than the 1900 words at
New York.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
NALUELESS.

From the New York Press.
The Democratic campaign managers are
now wondering what use can be made or
a windbag after the wind has been let out.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
ON THE WANE.

From the Globe Democrat.
The silver craze is gaining nowhere and
losing everywhere.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
LEGISLATIVE.

Senate, 21st District-COL. w. ]. SCOTT.
Representative, I'd District-A. T. CON
NELL; Sd District-DR. n. Z.
MACkEY.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
BRYAN As A FREE TRADER.
From the Times-Herald.

FrOm the T1meS-HtTHIu'
Bryan's determination to make TINS
country free from British domination
doesn't apply in the field of tar1ifs. he
would open the doors to the goods maue
by cheap foreign labor.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

Congress-WILLIAM CONNELL.
COMMISSIONERS. W. ROBERTS, GILES
ROBERTS.
Auditors-A. E. kIEFER, FRED l..
WARD.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
HIS GREAT TROUBLE.

From the Times-H erald.
Jones, alas! is not now able to pay the
freight
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

Seeing how little they have appre-
ciated his past services.w wonder that
Bryan continues to plead the cause of
the owners of silver mines.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

The pubic is awaiting with some de-
gree of impatience the production of
David Martins answer to the charges
recently made against him before the
Andrews committee. He has promised
to make it lively for his assailants, and
we expect him to keep his word. The
charge, in brief. was that he received
large blocks of stock for use in engin-
eering a telephone company franchise
through the councils of Philadelphia
and that he placed some of this stock
corruptly. This accusation was sup
ported by sworn testimony from two
or more witnesses. Mr.. Martin no doubt
understands as we'll as the next one
that he cannot afford to sit still with
these charges hanging over him. He is
entitled to a hearing and he must have
it. If he is guilty his place is in Jail I;
if innocent, to the Jail with his ira
ducers.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
Alas, Poor Bryar!

Mr.. Bryan's tendency to talk without
first having thought of something to
say, leads to some curious results. Wit
ness this peroration from his Rhine
beck speech:
1.-The ballot was not given in order that
one man should vote for many, or that
one man should compel others to vote
with him or purchase their votes. 1t was
giveis!n order that each man might make
his ballot represent a free mans will and
then when studying rs he Will and voting
as he likes. he expresses himself, we make
a majority, and then we all support the
one who is elected and hold up his hands
while he administers for us the govern
ment whether we agree with his views or
not"
1t is no reflection on Mr.. Bryan to say
that this passage Is as clear as mud.
Contrasted with the crystalline speeches
of Mckinley, which never contain a
superfiuous word nor deviate one hairs
breadth from the mark. the foregoing
makes it plain why Chairman Jones
tears his locks every time he receives
word that Bryan has removed the ma
tional committees gag. The Boy Ora
tor is likely at this rate to prove the
efficient architect of his own political
obituary.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

MEGARGEE BROTHERS. PRINTERS
supplies, envelopes. paper bags, twine
Warehouse. 130 Washington ave. Scran.
ton. Pa.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
COUNTY.

Congressman at Large-GALUSHA a.
GROW, SAMUEL A. DAVENPORT. I.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

DIR. C. L. FREAS, SPECIALIST IN
Rupture, Truss Fitting and Fat Reduc-
ton Rooms 2O6 and 207 Mears Building
Office telephone 1868. Hours: 10 to II, 2
to 4 to O.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
Miscellaneous.

BAUER.s oRCHESTRA-MUsrC FOR
balls. picnics. parties. receptions. we'd
terms address r. ]. Bauer. conductor,
III Wyoming avenue. over HulbertS
music store.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

DIR. L. NJ. GATES. 125 WASHINGTON
avenue. Office hours. s to 8 a. m,. 1.3O
to 8 and to p. m. Residence 800 Madi.
son avenue.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
Seeds.

G. r. CLARK & CO.. SEEDSMEN AND
Nurserymen: store 1i5 Washington ave.
nue.; green house. 1850 North Main ave.
nue.: store telephone 7s2.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
THE REPUBLICAN TICKET.
NATIONAL.
STATE.

President-WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Vice President-GARRET A. HOBART.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

DIR. s. W. LAMEREAUX, A SPECIAL
ist on chronic diseases of the heart,
lungs, liver, kidneys and genito urinary
organs, will occupy the office Of DR..
Roos. 232 Adams avenue. Office hours
to ID. m.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21

FRANK p. BROWN & CO., WHOLE.
sale dealers in Woodware. Cordage and
OIL Cloth, 10 West Lackawanna ave
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
PROFESSIONAL CARDS.

c. c. LAUBACH, SURGEON DENTIST.
No. 1l5 Wyoming avenue.
X. NJ. STRATTON. OFFICE COAL EX-
change.
The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-08-21
Schools.

THE REPUBLIC SAVINGS AND
Loan Association will loan you money
on easier terms and pay you better on
Investment than any other association.
Call on 8. N. Calender. Dime BanB
building.