The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-11
THE FONTANET MINERS.
They Make a. Pathetic Appeal to the
Governor to Help Them.

GONermOF heIp
Governor Mount yesterday received a let
ter from a committee appointed by the
Fontanet coal miners composed Of Miles E.
Garwood John Harrington, Dan McKillit
William Warren, N. E. Garwood and
Squire Caruthers. In the letter the miners
set forth lat some length the condition of
affairs hht has caused them to strike for
higher wbges, and imploro the Governor
to use his influence to bring about an ad-
justment that will give them living wages
The letter is as follows:
1--WE. committee appointed by a body of
coal miners of Fontanet, Ind, and vicinity
are now convened for the purpose of stat
ing our grievances to YOU rs they truly ex-
ist, asking you, as Governor of Indiana
and executive of the same, TO avail your
self of every opportunity to effect a fair and
equitable adjustment of our very serious
condition as miners.
1--WE will now state truly our condition as
miners: We have had but little more than
three days a week This condition. along
with low prices for digging, has reduced
us to poverty. Our condition is pitable
viewed from a humane and moral stand
point. We, with hope born only of despair
have labored on and on. thinking our con-
dition would certainly come before the pub
lie, and action taken to better our condi-
ton; but. alas, our condition and misery is
little understood by the public. and if un-
do us any immediate good.
I'VE now implore you, as Governor of
Indiana and the recipient of our franchises
as legal citizens of the United States OF
America. to urge our state senator's and
representatives to use their utmost power
and influence in bringing about an equitable
adjustment of our wage scale.
1T is true are out on strike. it is
called by some but it is nothing short of a
struggle for bread. Nature brought us into
this world circumstances made us miners
and nPcPSSltV COmDplS
where, in the name of our Creator are we
to get sustenance when our bodies demand
more food than can be got by our labor
under miserly wage scale2
LAS we have said before we are out on a
strike, and are fully aware that perhaps
we have not the sympathy Of some citizens !;
but, If such IS true it is because they do
not understand our starving wage scale.
"Fontanet has many coal miners who are
much longer. With willing hands and hon
est hearts we have toiled only to see our
We realize the outlook for our children is
worse than for ourselves. For this reason
there will be many In our community who
cannot possibly send their children to
school that they may become intelligent
citizens. What can we hope for if our chill
dren are to grow up in ignorance? Look
earnestly, and see If you cannot see in this
labor question the final undoing Of our free
institutions and then labor. with unswerv
ing and indomitable courage to bring about
a fair adjustment of our difficulties.
I'VE desire to come out of this second
truggle for independence with credit to
ourselves, our community and with the cit
izens Of this great Republic. Therefore we
kindly ask you. Governor Of Indiana. to
send aid to those who are in extremely bad
circums tances. We know hunger will drive
fathers to desperation, and in desperation
they would violate law, and in violating
law public sentiment would largely be
against them. To avert an impending dan
ger we seek bread Of YOU, as Governor Of
Indiana, knowing that you, in your official
capacity. can supply by the exercising of
yra1FF RI as n "a fn do
port ourselves as good citizens. obedient to
law, we ask these favors. believing that
they are less expensive than deputy United
States marshals and more effective means
70 peace and quietness.' "