West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1902-10-16
wAsHlNeToNLETTER.
TIE MINERS UNION HAvE But LITTLE
FATE IN TEE PRESIDENTS
PROMISES.
Looks Like Pattison viii BE Elected
Governor Ia Pennsylvania.
The Editor OF The New York Jou rnal
Nominated For Congress

PRESIDENT Roosevelt is still "stren-
uously striving" to end the coal
strike but so far has accomplished
nothing. The lack OF unity in his
own party, the fear that some OF the
New York fnanciers express in
regard to the Presidents, policies,
and the extent to which the capita
lists OF the couAtry, including the
coal mine operators, have succeeded,
during long period of Republican
supremacy in the national legislature
in hedging themselves about with
laws which prevent federal interfer-
ence with their most nefarious
practices, have all contributed to
the futility of Mr.. Roosevelt's ef-
forts. Now, when Republican sup
remacy Is threatened, when the
people seem about to demand re-
tribution at the polls, Republican
president finds himself powerless to
avert the catastrophe. Attorney
General Knox, in his usual "philan-
dering" way, has ordered an in
vestigation to ascertain IL a coal
trust exists. Presumably, some
time In the distant future, he will be
informed that there is one and then
he will institute legal proceedings
which will progress with the same
lack Of rapidity as his suits against
the beef trust and the Northern
Securities Company. Meanwhile
the public will suffer.
It'll
President Roosevelt recently ap-
pealed to the president of the coal
miners union to send the men to
work, promising an investigation of
their alleged wrongs by commits
sion to be appointed by the presi-
dent and the report Of the commits
sion to be followed in turn by the
Recommendation of proper legisla-
ton. While president Mitchell has
not yet replied to this proposition it
is understood that his answer will be
In the negative. Doubtless the
miners remember how little atten-
ton was paid to Mr.. Roosevelt's
recommendations, made to the last
session OF Congress, for compulsory
publicity of trust statistics and
methods. They also remember how
the Presidents earnest appeal for
Cuban reciprocity was ignored by
his own party and they have. there
fore, little faith in the success of
any recommendation Mr.. Roose-
welt might make. They appreciate
that while the Republican party
dominates Congress, an appeal for
their rights which must be obnoxious
to the capitalistic class of the
country, will receive no considera-
ton.
Under the pressure brought to
bear by the President, Gov. Stone
has finally ordered the entire mill.
tary strength of Pennsylvania to the
scene of the coal strike and now the
operators have the opportunity to
make good their claim that they can
mine sufficient coal to meet present
demands, irrespective of the miners
union.
| Reports received at Democratic
headquarters from Pennsylvania are
of a most encouraging character.
1t seems more than probable that
Hon. Robert +. Pattison will defeat
Senator Quay's candidate for gov
ernor. 1t will be remembered that
the Republicans Of Pennsylvania
wanted Attorney General John p.
Elkin for gubernatorial candidate,
but Senator Quay feared the grow
ing popularity of Elkin and regarded
1t as a menace to his own boss ship.
| Therefore he went to Harrisburg
and forced Samuel w. Pennypscke r
on the convention. As result,
Republican enthusiasm has waned
and the Democrats are growing en- !.
thusiastic over the chances of elect.
ing their candidate. 1t will further
be remembered that the Democratic
candidate has already twice defeated
the Republicans in the Keystone
state, once in 1881 and again in
1891. That he will do so again in
1909 is the prediction OF many
Pennsylvania Democrats.
TT
Encouraging reports are also com
ing from Ohio, where Hon. Tom
Johnson is conducting a most unique
campaign. Mr.. Johnson is an ex-
ceptionally clever man and the
changes he is ringing upon Senator
Hanna's slogan, STAND pat" are
proving most embarrassing to Ohio's
Republican boss. Mr.. Johnson is