The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-27
THE GOVERNOR APPEALS
STATES CHIEF EXECUTIVE ASKS AID
FOR SUFFERING MINERS.
Official Report of the Commission An
pointed to Investigate Their
Condition.

The commissioners appointed by the Gov
ernor TO investigate the condition Of the
Indiana miners, Messrs. Conner and Ter
hume, filed their report yesterday morning
showing that much restitution already ex-
lists and much more is likely to be felt
within week. The Governor acted prompt
ly upon the report by calling a meeting of
State officers and representatives of the
Board of Trade and Commercial Club at
MS office at o'clock last evening. The re-
suit OF this meeting was an appeal for aid
sent out by the Governor and the appoint
ment of relief committee for the purpose
OF receiving and distributing contributions
The talk at the meeting brought cut very
plainly the fact that this is a strike against
conditions. not upon grievances that the
strikers are entirely law-abiding, and that
good feeling exists between them and the
operators.
The meeting at the Governors office was
well attended, all the state officers in the
city being present, with members of the
commercial organizations. State Statisti-
clan Conner was made chairman and r. A.
Brown, deputy secretary Of state, secre-
.tary. In taking the chair Mr.. Conner made
brief statement of the conditions as he
existed already in about 1000 miners fam-
lies, involving about 1000 people, and If
idleness continued week or two longer
there would be many more victims.
He spoke of the disposition shown
by the miners to be industrious.
Many of them were picking ber-
ries, others were following the thrash
ing machines and all seemed anxious to
srat m hon dc
to. The commission had found no DISPOSE
ton toward violence. The men were obey
ing the law. The local relief committees
were doing what they could to relieve i'm
mediate suffering, but their resources were
not sufficient. Mr.. Conner said that he
and Mr.. Terhune, in anticipation of some
effort at relief, had taken the names of
these local relief committees and had sifted
the thing carefully. These committees were
made up of the best men in the various
communities, and they are familiar with
the character Of the individual miners and
careful in their work.
Il feel somewhat constrained" said Gov
ernor Mount, ito ask the people of the
State to give relief, but how it is to be
raised and distributed is the problem be-
fore US. My object in appointing the COM
mission was that the people might have
reliable official information of the condi-
lions so that they might give if necessary
AS TO what we can do here In this direc-
ton, it is the object of this meeting to dis
cuss. 1t is to devise a means of starting
the ball to rolling and deciding whether
some local organization might take hold
OF 1t or whether we could agree upon a
plan here. 1 am inclined to think these
people worthy of relief, the more because
they have repeatedly sent word to this
office that there need be no fear of viola
ton of the law or disturbance of property
rights. They are acting as good citizens,
and for this reason are worthy of the
sympathy of the people of the State. /
feel that 1t is better to give them bread
now than to contemplate the possibility of
harsher measures in the future. 1 am ready
to contribute, and think we are all ready
to do what we can"
After some further conversation, Mr..
Owen, secretary of state, offered the fol-
lowing resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the Governor be request
ed to appoint relief committee of five men
and issue an appeal to the people of the
State for aid for the destitute miners, said
committee to put itself into communica-
ton with the local relief committees in the
mining districts and be authorized to re-
ceive and distribute all money and supplies
contributed"
After the Governor had asked and re-
ceived a number of suggestions as to the
composition of this committee the meet
ing adjourned.
The Governor, by the direction of the
representatives present, appointed the fol-
lowing committee: John b. Conner, John
f. Wallick, j. Q. Van Wrinkle, John w.
Murphy, William E. English. Hugh H.
Hanna and John Osterman.
AT a subsequent meeting of the state Of
ficers they each agreed to contribute to the
fund and their donations will be reported
to the general committee Tuesday.