The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-10-02
Father Comerford's Reply to Rev. DR..
Mcleod.
Editor of The Tribune


Sir: In replying to DR.. Mcleod in to-
days Tribune and his misconstruction of
facts, L am willing to abide by the de-
cisiors OF the people, as he said, after
unbiased reading of both articles. How
ever. the community is not interested just
now in q battle between "Father Conner
ford" or the REV. Mr. Comerford,' DR..
Mcleod or the Rev. Mr.. Mcleod.
The strong language the doctor objects
to is. like powerful medicine. necessary in
the treatment of serious cases. Very
beneficial when properly understood and
applied. and not distorted from the proper
subject. The doctor is not so sweet and
bird like in his language when he APP
plies indiscriminately "Murderous gang
of thugs. etc." to miners. For the thugs
are mostly in stockades, not among the
miners. Furthermore, the doctor doesn't
cite the attitude of the operators-noth-
ing to settle, nothing to arbitrate uncon-
dlticnal surrender. we are the God-Eiven
masters of the situation we will settle
this our own way; we will brook no in
reference from the public, politicians,
economists or the government; it is not
a religious question: etc.
The language applying to these reasons
used in such a crisis, dear doctor, if you
didn't hungle it to suit your fanciful way
of treating and distorting things. at least
suits the case. "Spcak the truth" Rev
MIR. Mcleod. land the truth will make
YOU free" The murderous gang of thugs
If you understood the real situation of
af[ars-are mostly coal and iron police
brought in from the slums of the cities
We have reason to know that in this up
per part of the valley-there is mo dis
t,lrbance of any kind, except caused by
Them Get in touch with the aboring
classes and learn facts. Facts are stub
born things. but they will do you good
clear up your mental hazness on mat
ters. You are liable, dear doctor. to be
caught in a clap-trap of corporate mis-
representation.
The operators in their treatment of the
miners, for reasons cited above. are
wrong, and very much so. And if you de-
fend them, dear doctor you are wrong
also. In this community, the dear. good
old miners some of them, have been here
before you were born. toiling. with their
sons, to eke out an honest living. The
community, the bosses, the superintend-
ents. etc, will testify that the miners
have Eeer sober. law-abiding and peace.
able. And that have always counseled
peace. And we have had peace. notwith-
standing the foul misrepresentat tons of
lawlessness last week.
No man has been hfndered in going
hther and thither to work or otherwise.
And the lawless class you read so much
about in the papers last week-that they
called the foreigners. etc, and arc as
much Americans. with their opportuni-
ties, as you or | ever dare bc-held a big
meeting last Tuesday to protest against
being maliGned and misrepresented /
went to the meeting unlimited | wish
you were alons+ they would convert you.
Don't ever be afraid of them. They are
human, like YOU and me. Have feelings
and if treated half decenty will do all
right And those who will not-the opera
tors-arc to blame for bringing them
here There has been no one interefcrcd
with here at the washery, ETC., when the
thugs that came from the slums of the
cities made night hideous in their drunken
carOusal, by shooting. Miners did not in
tcrfclc. But there is a limit to every
thing, you know, doctor. You cite a lot
of crimes, give names of killed etc, hut
do you know that nearly all these have
been committed by the bravado of the
thugs brought into this region? If you
don't, you ought to. You say somebody
is responsible. Any child knows that
You might as well attribute to the miners
the catalogue of crimes in New York
city. The guilty should he punished. |
hope and pray you will lend your might
and means, not only in words, but in acts
As an American citizen, a good man. n
Christian minstcr-like all the honest
miners. John Mitchell and all good peo-
ple--tn bring the guilty to justice, no mat.
ter what it costs.
If You were shocked at the language.
dear doctor, read things aright-at this
critical time, In an unbiased manner, as
ii good American citizen. etc. See things
adjusted rightly between capital and
labor and your pity at such language will
be changed into justice and mercy for the
laborinS man. l have often been shocked
at your misrepresentations and sneers at
some things. However, I have prayed for
you to improve. You will, too. with care
like ali of us. You see we are liable to