Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-07-28

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A wall of anguish, mingled with des-
peration. arises from the bowels Of the
earth. and the miners cry for relief, for
some degree of justice, touches re-
sponsive chord in the hearts and con-
science Of the whole people. Drudging
at wages when employed which imply
and pOrtend misery, starvation and
slavery. the miners are confronted with
a condition BY which their scant earn
ings are denied them except through
the compulsory pluck-me stores, which
out-ShylOck the worst features Of this
nefariOus system, is a stigma on the
escutCheOn Of our country, and blot
on our civilization.
We. the representatives OF the trades
unions and Of all organized labor or
the United States, in conference assem-
bled. to consider the pending struggle
Of the miners for wages sufficient TO
enable them TO live. and enjoy at least
some degree of the necessities Of life,
are forever determined 10 put a stop
10 the state of actual starvation in
which they are now engulfed.
The deplorable condition Of the min
They live in novels, unable 10 buy SUI
fcient bread 70 ward OF starvation, in
many cases not sufficiently clothed TO
cover their nakedness, their children
unfit 10 attend school because Of lack
Of food and clothing making them
dagner to the future stability OF our
republic.
We feel assured that all men and
women who love their own families, or
WHO have one spark Of human sympa-
thy for their fellows, cannot fail 70 give
all the aid in their power TO enable the
miners to win their present battle.
The representatives. of the miners
have been restrained by Injunction from
exercising their fundamental right OF
public assemblage and free speech 70
present to the world their grievances.
We. as American citizens. resent this
interference with the rights guaran-
teed TO us under the Constitution.
In the ordinary affairs of life all en-
iOy privileges and rights which con-
s.itutions neither confer nor deny, but
the guarantee Of the right of free pub
lie ssemblage and free speech was in
tended to give opportunity to the peO-
pie or any portion Of them to present
the grievances from which they suffer
and which they aim TO redress.
We denOunce the issuance Of injunc-
tiOns bY judges Of West Virginia, Penn
sylvania and other States as wholly un-
justified. unwarranted and unprecedent-
ed. more especially in the alb
sence Of any exhibition or manifes-
tation Of force or lawlessness on
the part Of the outraged miners.
We call upon the Governor of West
Virginia and upon the Governors of all
other States and all public officials for
full and ample protection in the exer-
else of our rights, Of free speech and
public assemb,age. We have no desire
10 trespaSS upon the rights Of any one,
and we demand protection in the exer-
else Of those rights handed down TO US
BY the founders of our republic
We recommend that indignation mass
meetings be held on Thursday. August
5th. throughout the entire cOun-
try. to give expression to their con-
demnatiOn Of the Unwarranted iniunc-
tiOn interfering with the rights of free
assemblage and free speech. and to also
extend sympathy and support to the
mine workers to the utmost extent.
We hereby call upon each national
and international organization Of labor
to send representatives to act for and
BY the direction Of the officers Of the
United Mine Workers. as organizers in
West Virginia. Pennsylvania and such
other States as may be necessary.
This struggle of the miners deserves
not only sympathy but the financial
support Of all organized labor. and hu-
name people. The battle for bread can
only be won by sacrifice: organizers
in large numbers must be kept in the
field. the great expense Of the Mine
Workers Union must be met. and we
call with entire confidence that the
American people viii literally respond.
and send contributions TO W. c. Pearce.
Secretary Of the United Mine Workers.
Columbus. Ohio.
Fully imbued with the heroic strug-
gle which the miners are making for
pure womanhOod. and innocent child
hood: for decency. for manhood, and
for civilization. and with the conscious
ness Of the justice Of their cause and Of
the responsibility Of our actions. we call
upon the workers Of our country to
lend all possible assistance to our suf-
fering. struggling. fellOw-workers OF
the mines. and to unite in defense Of
our homes. our rights. our citizenship
and our country.
The above was handed for publica-
tIon to representatives Of the press.
about eleven O'Clock last night. and en-
braced in substance the action Of the
assembly Of representatives Of the or
ganIzed labor bodies Of the United
states. who conferred in this city yes
rserday regarding Ays and means for
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