The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-27
THE GOVERNORS APPEAL.
People of Indiana Asked to COntribut,
to the Sufferers.


to the Sufferers.
Last evening Governor Mount issued the
following appeal:
ITO the People of Indiana:
After thorough and painstaking exam
ination of the condition Of the Indiana, coal
miners and their families, it becomes ap-
parent that they are sorely in need of
prompt and liberal assistance. This con-
clusion is based on the report of Hon. John
Is: Conner, of Indianapolis, and Hon.
Thomas j. Terhune, of Lebanon, special
commissioners appointed to make personal
investigation. Their report has heretofore
been given to the press, and needs no ex-
tended comment in this connection. Their
critical observations and deliberate find
ings are set forth in the Scrupulously con-
SENTATIVE statement they have submitted
and the necessity for aid is so obvious that
L feel 1t my duty as chief executive officer
of the State, to issue this earnest appeal
for the cooperation of all thoughtful citi-
zens in providing means for alleviating the
prevailing distress.
1T is not pertinent, at present, to enter
into argument to account for existing con-
ditions. The mere fact that they exist is
sufficient. The situation confronting us is
one that strongly appeals to human SYM
pathy and invites the m st generous con-
sideration. Thus far the striking miners of
Indiana have borne themselves with such
high regard for the property and moral
rights of all concerned as to command the
respect of every class of citizens. They
have manifested a spirit of lawful obedi-
ence, and / urgently appeal for prompt
ana SuIucleiL pubic assistance TO the END
that pressing necessities may be relieved,
and in order that the unfortunate miners
and their dependent families may have re-
newed and practical assurance that neither
the Republic nor the State is ungrateful
THE miners are discontinued with the
conditions to which they are subjected, but
they continue TO mani st commendable
spirit of patience and are animated by a
patriotic purpose to pr. serve the peace
thus adding honor to thu citiz anship and
appealing all the m"rt- n, 70 The help
hands those D.
Money, provisions or clotl- ~. ~ll be equal
ly acceptable, and ] earaestlyc hope that
every community in Indiana I'll promptly
respond to this appeal b. - 7titutlng organ
lied efforts for prov To chef to distressed
fellow beings.
1T should constantly be borne in mind
that the prevailing destitution and want
In the coal districts is a condition for which
the miners are by no means wholly respon-
sible. There is ample testimony, of the
most trustworthy character, made on the
authority of operators themselves that
these employees are SO poorly paid the di-
rect result of unwise competition among
producers, that the compensation is barely
sufficient, under the most favorable cir
cumstances, to provide sustenance.
whist mothers and children are endur-
ing almost unspeakable hardshps in con-
sequence of being bereft of the actual ne
cessities of life, d generous people should
not long withhold their practical offerings
of sympathy and charity. May the Christ
like spirit of philanthropy I'LL the hearts
of all our citizens and cause them to real
ize the truth of the Divine injunction that
1T is more blessed 10 give than to re-
ceive.'
4 therefore call upon the people of cur
great State TO render to these unfortunate
miners and their Inflated families all the
assistance possible. l sincerely trust that
all the cities and counties in Indiana will
at once adopt means for making contribu-
tions. all of which will be received by the
be thence distributed In an orderly and
methodica maner TO those who are found