Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-07-27
Lannr nroduces every

F.
economies. Labor produces every
thing; it pays all the revenues, and it
ought to be able to maintain lving
wage.
But they say, What have the min
ers of West Virginia got to do with IL!
will tell you. West Virginians are
mining coal and sending 1t to tine
Western markets. They might Just as
well send their miners there and put
them to work in place of the strikers.
(Applause.) But they say, West Nlr-
ginia miners ought to be given tair
show, now But suppose the strike Is
defeated, and western prices go doWh'
do you think that West Virginia prices
will not follow suit? You can't SEM
West Virginia coal there then. ZAP
plause.) But you say. The West Nir-
ginia operators are paying their men
living wages How long have they
been paying them, and how long VIII
they continue to pay them, If the strike
is a failure? (Applause.) -Four years
ago your wages increased. CA voice:
"Nit"). You were deceived all along
the line. (Applause.) You are enjoy
ing a boom at present, but it will be
a short lived one They are willing
to pay big wages now, but they are
specializing on the empty stomachs OF
the miners, and every dollar gotten IN
that way is blood money, and repre-
sents the misery of your fellow eltl-
zens. The workingmen of the coun-
try are not benefited. The consum-
ers who buy in small quantities are
compelled to pay the price. The real
benefit goes to the big men. de-
clare ii TO be the duty of the min
ers of West Virginia 10 drop his tools
until living wages are paid to all. zap
plause.) You have become disorgan-
lied. and therefore demoraliZed. The
strike is clearly right, and will prevail,
but if it shall fail through the West
Virginia miners, and after that happens,
and the men are scourged back, at star
walton wages, you here will be helpless,
and You will not dare TO strike, ana
no one knows that fact better than the
operators. The result will be that, you
having worked until the other miners
were defeated. they will work N turn
until you are defeated. The thing 10
do is TO stand together ana sec that an
uniform scale is made in each district
that will do justice TO each. and then
all can go back to work in body. and
you will all be earning living wages,
with no more strikes in sight. Cap
pause.) But as long as the miners Of
one State can be used against the min
ers of another, wages will so down until
the bedrock of degradation is reached.
(Applause.) | do not think we will
fail. | am not in the habit Of looking
on the dark side Of things ! believe
we are making a little progress. CAP
plause.) The most hopeful thing is
that workingmen are beginning to think
and as they think they are wondering
why they must draw their rags a little
closer so as not to touch the silks they
have woven, why they must not walk
in the shadow of the palaces they have
built but may not enter And when
they see these things properly, they
will take their own-not by force nor
by violence. but by the ballot (applause)
which falls lightly as n snowflake yet
which works the will Of man as the
lightning does the will OF God. CAP
plause.) Labor is the creator OF all
that is useful and beautiful in this
world. and shall not labor come to It's
own? Who shall doubt it? As the
mariner blowing Southern seas turns
his eyes to the Southern cross blazing
IN the sky. as a beacon 10 guide him on
his way let labor everywhere take
heart of hope. for the cross is bending
and the midnight is passing, and JOY
cometh with the morning"
Mr.. Debs then turned his attention
TO the Courts, in their acts against
labor and in favor of capital, and after
discussing this in most interesting
manner. to the delight of his audience.
concluded at half-past ten, the crowd
greeting him with three cheers.