The bee., 1901-03-07

The story is out that last week
two seedy looking individuals who
are full-fiedgcd members Of the U.
VI. Workers met one of the faithful
who believes it his duty to provide
for his household instead Of casting
his lot with idlers, while he was en-
route to Madisonville and began a
tirade of abuse, besides acting in q
threatening manner with knives in
their hands, at the same time calling
upon this lover of right and liberty
to Join their ranks and escape rough
treatment. Patiently taking their
nncalled-for abuse for awhile he
stood idly by, but there is n time
when patience. ceases TO be virtue,
and so it was in this case. Seeing a
growing tendency on the part of his
abusers to become rough, he at once,
in self defense began an attack and
soon the battlc field was his and the
enemy was seen beating hasty re-
treat with rocks and brickbats fall
ing thick and fast near them. Men
without n cause never stand fire.
Is law and justice TO be defied? is
o serious question confronting the
good citizens. of Christian county.
For months past members of the U.
NJ. w. have tried by all means at
hand to defy law and order. The
Empire Coal Company was so un-
fortunate as to secure as laborers a
few unfaithful men who afterwards
turned traitor. These men were
taken care Of and provided with
houses to be used while in the en-
ploy of tho company. This contract
so far rs the company was concerned
was fulfilled to the letter, but when
these disturbers signed away their
rights. They refused when asked to
vacate the houses. A suit for pos
session of property was at )nce in
stituted by the company, and the
verdict was that the men should va
cate. This they have so far failed to
do, thus defying all orders of the
court, claiming to be holding on un-
til the decision of a higher court
shall say, 'get out" If such a con-
dition of affairs continues, where
do the rights of the property holder
como in?
The u. NJ. Workers arc boastingo of
the fact that they have established
headquarters at Darlington. 1t is
true that one of their organizers is
here, and they are welcome to all
the consolation they can get out Of
that. He is housed up at his hotel
and can neither iniure the coal COM
pany or do his order any good. He
simply counts one. The miners her ,
know upon which side their bread Is
buttered, and therefore, turn n deaf
car to all those who come here to re-
late a tale of woe, when the condi-
tion of the miner here gives their
tale tho lie. The miners in this
county feel like they must first have
cause before they take leap in the
dark.
Below we republish for the benefit
of the BEE readers, the gloomy re-
port from one Of the southwest u.
M. Workers. The condition he COM
plains of is caused by the orders of
the U. M. WIS, which said, lay
down your tools until our point is
conceded. Read this portion of the
letter and see what deep trouble he
is In:
Russellville, Ark, Feb. %, 1901.
Editor Mine Workers Journals.
Have you ever thought, brothers,
! for a moment of the conditions of
District 81? Nothing in all this
wide world causes SO much misery,
sin and death as want-that grim
spectre haunting millions night and
day from the cradle to the grave.
The constant torture and worry over
tile bread and butter problem l.
enough to drive majority OF Ine
people to suicide. Next in import
ance to life itself is O good home, but
alas! the millions of homeless peo-
pie in this, the richest and freest
country that God ever created I;
millions of children tlat are to be
the fathers and mothers of the next
generation of voters, know not the
joy and happiness of home of their
own. Can such conditions breed pa
triotism2 Homeless and aged moth
ers are spendings their : declining
years in toll and. sorrow, embittered
by the tears of poverty and distress,
without ray of hope this side of the
grave.
SCARCITY OF COAL IN RUSSIA.
Russia is suffering from scarcity
of coal which threatens to severely