The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-10-19
HISTORY OF THE TROUBLE.

~ CGkCRSO, OCts Ia IL NC o'1Ao0tey os
the Virden mines originated on April
1, 1898, when the miners of the Fourth
District of Illinois went out on strike
instituted by the United Mine Workers.
Trouble followed at once at Pana. but
5she Virdeu miners remained quiet
through the summer. The strikers had
asked for 40 cents q ton and were
offered % cents.
Actual disturbances at Virden began
September Is, when the Chicsgo-V,r.
den company, the principal mine owners
at that point. imported 100 negroes
from Birmingham. Ala.
Wheu the train arrived With them
on board, it was met by large body
of armed uoion miners: wao threatened
to shoot The 6sss negro that stepped
from the cars. The negroes we're
finally prevailed upon to return to the
south aed.the mines we're not operated.
President T. c. LoucSs Of the Chi
csgc. Virden company then proceeded
to make preparations to get other
miners. Oo October 9 Sheriff Daveo-
port notified Governor Tanner that
there would certainly be trouble and
that State troops were needed to pre-
serve the peace. Governor Tanner ad-
vised the mine officials against import
ing miuers--thas be was opposed TO the
syssem-shat while there was no law to
keep them out Of Illinois, he did not
feel it to be his duty as governor to use
the arm Of the State to give protection
to mine owners in operating their mines
With this class Of employees.
Superintendent Lukens, according to
Governor Tanner, replied chat the
miues would be run st all hazardo ;
that the company would employ su,h
labor a. they cav is i; that they would
import this labor and operate the niues
With it, even If they had to do itss .be
point OF che bayones aod tho mussle oi
the Winchester
No troops we're sens.
The pext day Mr.. Lousks notified the
goye,uo. that his minea would be ope-
rated. and demanded the profession Of
che State. The matter had been
brought before the State board Of arbi'
srasion and that board decided in fsvo,
of the miners. but held that an iojus'
tise had been done the Chicago Virdeu
company.
From this poiut the trouble has been
dispute between Governor Tanner
and the mine operators. carried 90 BY
telegraph and other communications
The governor steadily refused to call
out the State troops, and charged the
operators with importing ex convicta
and so undesirable class of workmen.
The operators declared that the men
they desired to bring to their mines
had been chosen for their ability and
their capacity to become good citizens.
They also said they were willing tc
take back the strikers at the soale Of
% cents a ton, but that they could not
open their mines at the exbo:b bitsn
demand of 20 cents The mines, it is
claiued. are all operated in accordance
With the State law.
Sheriff Davenport has been in sym
pathy with the governor. and says be
does not want to enforce laws that will
bring labor into the State, and offered
to resign rather than undertake the
task.
One hundred Springfield miners re.
iuforced the Virdeo strikers 90 October
10, armed and determined to prevent
the negroes from going to work. Arm
ed men have siuoe been practically 10
possession of the town.
Manager Lukens Of the Chicago.
Virden company swore cut writ Of
Injunction against "a of the landing
strikers. These meo had run out Of
towD four x.policemau, who bad been
hired by the operators. The strikers
bad not displayed violence against
others until they began TO suspect that
m oro neo.oes uere n, he broupht in