Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-08-23


siastic Still.
Special to the Register. 40
Fairmont w. Va, August u
There are three important features III
the strike situation to-day
First in point Of importance. is the
statement that Judge Okey Johnson
asserts that the strikers could secure
an Injunction prohibiting mine opera
tors from hiring men to take the
places of the strikers.
Second. the sermon Of Rev. W. H.
Riley to the strikers and campers at
Montana mines, and third;
An address bristling with person
a,ities delivered by j. W. Rea at the
same place, when the sermon was
completed.
II is alleged by J. W Rea, national
president of the Painters and Decora-
tors Union of America, that Judge
Okev. Johnson, dean Of the law school
of the West Virginia University, and
for wears a central figure in West
Virginia legal circles. says the strik-
ing miners can secure an injunction
against the operators prohibiting them
from employing new men in the places
Of the strikers. Mr Rea does not go
into details as to the grounds and de-
cisions and legal technalities upon
which Judge johnson bases his opin-
ion. but he declares that the Judge
believes that such an injunction will
hold. and that no court can overrule
the arguments that would be present.
cd in its favor.
Governor Fleming was seen by your
correspondent and asked about the al
legged opinion of Judge Johnson, and
he declares that there is no law in the
world of any such sort, and that it is
all bosh.
At Camp O'Connell to-day there
were 400 men. and half as many
women within the confines Of the mill
tarv lines laid down by the camp
managers. OF these a gOOdly number
we're farmers. who had come In 10 eX-
Hes sympathy. and others who came
NJ Of curiosity. Rev. ". Il. Riley,
evidently deeming it a proper time and
p,ace for work In his line, arrived
early in the morning and held divine
services. He opened the meeting with
PRAYER. taking his stand on the plat
form used by the strike leaders for
their rostrum. AS he announced his
intention 10 say a few words concern
ing the spiritual welfare OF those
about him. an in the camp rose. un-
covered. and stood in respectful
silence while the invocation was
.-ade
Rev. Mr. Riley then announced his
text. taking the second verse Of the
29th chapter of Proverbs. When the
righteous are in power the people re-
iOice but when the wicked bear rule
the people murmer.
Mr.. Riley is a vigorous talker, and
he went into the text with gustO. deal
ing hard blows against an forms OF
lawlessness and dishonesty. and spar
ing the feelings of none, be he striker,
working miner or operator. He hit
wickedness AMI dishonesty in high and
low places. and dwelJ upon the golden
rule. the basis Of all righteous law and
Justice. None was too powerful 20 fall
under this good mans condemnation,
did he deserve il. and the most lOwly
sinner was made 20 feel the force Of
his words
When Rev. Mr.. Riley had concluded
his sermon. 10 which all paid the most
careful and interested attention. an
other hymn was sung, and the services
closed with a powerful benedictiOn.
No sooner had Mr.. Riley concluded
than. by prearrangemeut. J. W. Rae
mounted the platform and began an
address 20 the strikers on purely
economic topics. He spoke with par
ticulaTity about the strike. the cOnii-
{tion it is now in, the weight of judge
Z G0ffs decision at ClarkSburg Saturday.
means TO be used 90 further the in
terestS Of the strikers and their hopes
for winning the strike. He did not
hesitate TO speak personally concern
ing operators and their legal repreSen-
tatives and in sCathing language de
nounced some of them and the grieve-
ances which he alleged they had caused
the coal miners.
He was appIauded by his hearers.
and reused them to quite a high pitch
CT excitement.
James Wood and ". A. Carney fol-
lowed Rea, and were we'll received.
Their speeches were more moderate.
and prOmisd the men victory in the
face Of their existing difficulties.
When Rea first arrived az the Camp
to-day. there were many demands by
the men that they be allowed 20 march
on the county roads, in spite of Judge
COTS decision on Saturday, bur Rea
refused, saying that the time for de-
fying the United States Courts had
not yet come. In spite Of this. they
still ciamored for the privilege Of
marching, but Rea was firm in his
refusal and no marches were attempt
ed.
The first signs of trouble appeared
in the camp to-day. Some Of the men
wanted TO put another man ont of
the camp on account of some grievance
against him the allegation being that
he was not in sympathy with the aims
OF the men with whom he was min
Cling. They went TO Rea and demand
ed permission 20 drum him out Of
camp. but Rea refused TO allow any
vuch demonstration Drpfprring ~