The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-10-14
TUESDAY, OCTOBER IA. 1902.
POLITICS IN THE STRIKE.

strike of the Pennsylvania coal min
ers. This labor trouble is running too
close on the heels of the election. In
the fall Of 1900 there was settled a
similar strike and it was settled a
while before election day at the urgent
solicitation of Mr.. Mckinley, president
and candidate for reelection, and other
republican leaders. The coal operators
say that they then mad concessions to
the strikers at the request Of these
men. but for which Bryan wOuId have
been elected. 1t seems that the coal
mine owners and coal DAD officials
then wanted to have the fight out with
the strikers, but gave way to the re-
publican leaders and patched up a tenn
porary peace, and, consequently, have
this present fight on their hands. They
declare they are not again going to
sacrifice their interests for the benefit
of the party which fosters them. The
coal operators resent the interference
in the fight with their employees by the
republican politicians, as is evidenced
by the remarks of President Baer in
the conference in New York Friday,
when he said to Governor O'dell and
Senators PIatt, Quay and PenrOse that
w VIII not accept political advice or
allow the interference of politicians in
this, our affair"
This IS one phase of the political
move in the case. The coal barons
who AVE heretofore been strong sup
porterS Of the republican party make
a vigorous kick against the action of
the leaders of that party in trying to
secure such settlement of the contest
as will be satisfactory to the strikers.
They seem to think, Judging from the
remarks made to the president at the
White house conference, that they
should be backed up in this matter by
the influence and military power of the
government in the hands of the party
they have always supported.
The question with the republicans
seems to be which side to this contest
can 10 them most good at the polls,
h coal mine owners or the thousands
of members of labor unions through
out the United States. They have ap-
parently decided in favor of the latter.
They are making desperate efforts to
convince the public that they wish his
matter settled, not only for the benefit
of the striking miners, but in the inter-
est of the thousands of citizens, who,
while taking no interest in the strike
on the principles involved in the con-
test are just as much affected as the
strikers in the results growing out of
the cessation of the mining of coal
In the conference in New York Fri
day Governor Odell made a big bid for
h sympathy and support of the labor
ing class when he resented the re-
marks of President Baer by declaring:
"What do you mean by politicians?
/ a you and all the other operators
to understand that | am the governor
OF New York. the chosen representa-
tive of seven million people, and that
i am here in this matter solely in that
capacity n to relieve if possible an
intolerable situation. And what is
more, l intend to use every power at
my command to it."
Governor OdeIl's white heat of pas
sion at the insinuation of President
Baer that the politicians were trying
to work" the Goa operators was very
dramatic and no doubt will have much
of the desired effect. 1t was a bril-
liant attempt at a political coup to
secure the good will of the union labor
men Of New York: but we do not think
it will have the full desired effect.
The strikers friends can see through
the effort of the republican leaders.
They are aware that this is entirely Il
political move on the part of Governor
Odell and Senator PIatt. These men
took no interest in this labor fight I'M
til it had e~ncroached too neal in time
Upon the day Of election and a en-
lingering the success of their party.
: only in New York, but in other
as The news had come from Ohio
he Pennsylvania strike was dam
the republican prospects of sue
sung that state, and throughout all
n states where there are coal
'puo hons and other strong labor
rs the same alarming re-
rganizdli" received. From Ohio Con-
oFts "He osvenor had sent word:
ressniah UN iment in MS section is
Public sem the coal operators be-
litter .againSt Il. 1T continued it will
Ond deScripIFo Dcratic congress and
SSure a dena T. Morgan, if he would
Inancial ruin M ct a settlement now.
Interfere and enc 'mself in a position
would M living American.
stronger tnan any 1ct f~avorably upon
The result would re: les. 1t would be
Ill his real enterprk elish standpoint
better from a meres GOA in the coun-
all the anlhIdcIte the humanitar-
IS worth, oul efaction. / go
oe line thousand
mad coal miners, with a
ds:e against me-
Now that the republicans nave pc
c,r,s frightened at h extr eme posi-
20, AIKEN by the coal oper. ators we
ok for desperate effor>s to be