The bee., 1901-11-28
DOWN IN THE MINES.

region ever consider how little their
lives are valued in this state? A
year or two ago 100000 was appro-
priated for use in discovering and
furnishing the assassin of VIM. Goe-
bel, but not one dollar has thus far
been set aside for the detection of
the would be assassins of the quiet
and orderly coal miners at Madison
vile, Monarch and Providence. I'm
partial justice should be admins
tered to all.
We have no doubt but that the
gang lately arrested at Nortonville
for treating with contempt an order
from the county court to disperse
and break camp, will now appear in
the role of martyrs, hoping thereby
to create sympathy and bring more
donations from sister states to be
added to the corruption fund and aid
them to keep the wolf from the door
while longer.
The demand for coke and coal in
creased last week and all mines are
running full time, and with the APP
proach of cold weather another pros
porous winter is assured our miners.
The U. NJ. W's., who are seeking
recruits for their lost cause, lead
their would be victims to believe
that, outside of the coal region, but
| few workmen are unorganized, when
the fact is that less than 10 percent
of labor is organized. Thus it can
be seen how few would govern the
many, for selfish purposes alone.
The agitators here take that stand,
working for silver lining to their
pockets. while their victims almost
reach the poorhouse.
The miners here feel very proud
over the knockout blows lately ad-
ministered by the president of the
st. Bernard company to those who
would traduce or blacken the name
of our fair city by having soldiers
sent here to guard those who favor
pulling down rather than building
/ up. Mr.. Atkinson deals in no per-
sonalities in his article, and pleads
only for a continuation of that con-
dltion that has made our town and
county prosperous, and the people
here recognize the truth of his state
ment and stand by him.
The loss by fire of the engine house
at st. Charles, fell, of course, heav-
lily on the st. Bernard company, but
the greatest loss is to employees
One good thing that can be said
in connection with the fire is that il
was not the work of an incendiary
but purely accidental.
A delegation from the national or
ganization was sent TO Hopkins
county and they met with no sue.
cess. Then strike was ordered
Not fifty of the several thousand
miners left their work. Then cam
paign was begun to force the men tC
JOIN the union. Union miners were
imported as watchers, and an induce
ment of free food offered to all who
would come out on strike. Still
the miners refused. Then a war was
inaugurated. The strikers took uI
/ 10
miners also took up arms. A STATE
of turmoil followed. The crack of 9
gun became familiar sound. The
law was defled, but in all counties
save one the lawfully constituted
officers put stop to the rioting. In
this county, however, Hopkins, the
state of war still exists. The miners
are fortified, the mines ale guarded
and every precaution Is taken tC
prevent surprise and to deIeat at.
tack. The union forces are also ir
camp and also in close reach of arms
A state of affairs such as this does
the cause of organized labor more
harm than dozen lost strikes anC
sensible union men do not approve
] OF Sucn meJnOuB.
But aside from this, if men do not
want to become members of the
union they have a right to remain
out. If the employers do not desire
them to affiliate with union they
must refuse to accede to this desire
before union forces can move to theil
assistance. But, the question o.
union or non-union labor out of 1t
the fact is that there is a state of an
archy in Hopkins county. Boil
sides are armed. Murder has beer
committed and property has beer
destroyed. The authorities shoulC
take a hand. The armed camps
should be broken up and order should
be restored, SO that every man may
go and come as he pleases in pursuit.
of work and pleasure, .,-Commercia