Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-06-08

ought W DC Wilh uc'
ems our discipline
Raymond interrupted We've been
all over that before. am not concern
ed with your discipline. have no
quarrel with my men. They are salts
fed with our present arrangement.
You're going at this back end to- Ii
Won would turn your attention to re-
forming mining laws and crushing out
these speculative owners Of mining
lands. you would really be doing some
thing, but your assault on men who are
paying labor full wages weakens your
case"
Kelly opened the door and entered
while Raymond was speaking
"Whats the meaning of all thlsT'
he asked.
RAYMOND coldly replied, "These men
have come to serve a final.notlce on
us TO discharge our nOnuniOn men or
shut down."
mot ut. allw cried out Carter, who
| feared Kelly. "All we ask Is that you
recommend your men to join the un-
|
ion"-
Brock sprang to his feet again. "Oh,
rats! What's the use beating around
the bush? We know that you fellers
are the backbop% of the free miners
association and That they would all
come in if you said so, and we need
you and your men. We want you TO
head 'em our way.'
Kelly smiled. "Ye're not asking
much. So far as I'm concerned, Car
ter | don't believe word in you and
your schoolboy, tomfOol antics. From
The very start we've gone wrong. You
began by defending lot of drunken
blaggards, and that Queered we with
every decent man. Go back to camp,
arrest Denver Dan, San Juan Jones,
Hob Smith and the rest Of the bunch
and send tsem down to the valley as
peace Offering; then serve notice on
the men that blew up the Red. Star
that they'll be hung tomorrow morn
ing. BY that time I'll begin to believe
in you and your love for the honest
wOrkingman."
Carter. utterly unable to stem the
food of Kelly's indignant speech, SAT
with dropping head. He stammered,
"You-you're traitor to labor"
81 am a traitor to nothing that Is
good, but / am worn out and weary
with your yellin, cursin', gamblin'
drunken looms that assume to be work
men. 1 have more .,spect for the
weak little dagoes, for they do want
work and need it, but the buns that
} fill the streets are sorry threat to
decent man, let alone decent woman
And here's Jack Munro"-Kelly turned
and the smile died out of the young
desperados face-"he's chief Of gang
of hoodlum cowboys and still pretends
to be keepin' the peace. If you want
to help the cause Of labor, Jack, me
boy. close the saloons while this strike
is going on, protect the women and
children, arrest and throw out the men
that blew up the Red Star mine-you
know who they are
81 do not" said Munro
Kelly was liOnlike in his wrath, and
the group Of labor leaders covered be-
fore him like revealed cOnspiratOrs
Only Munro seemed unabashed.
THAT'S all well enough to demand
Matt, but to carry it out is another
story"
Because ye're one O. them," answer
ed Kelly. "You boast Of your power
Ye're a man Of educatiOn-sOme say
military education. You know what
discipline is, but when it comes to con
trolling your men from insulting
strangers and abusing women you sci
down. Now, listen to me. This IL
my last word on this subject. We are
neutral. We have had no part in this
row, and we will take none. Go on
work out ye're jackass plan, rouse the
whole state, make a political issue OF
yourselves, but lave Raymond and kei
ly out of it. Lave our men alone. They
are satisfied and earnin' good wages
AS for my good advice, take 1t OF
lave It, If you take it We win; II you
lave it We lose. / am for peace. I've
done everything a man could 90 Il
kane the peace; l must do SO. Every
thing have in the world Is here-tht
mine, me. wife and the babies. want
no quarrel with amy man, especially
with q miner, for l have worked fol
wages half me life, but l tell We once
more. boys, this mob business mus
not circle round that little cabin ovel
there. If wan of your lOafers so mucf
as puts his toe against my door I'll XII
him where he stands" =
He ended with hOarse intensity
that silenced the men who listened
and after a pause Raymond remarked
very quietly:
II stand with Kelly on this matter
Is there anything further you want e
say"
Brock shook his heavy shoulders, a.
IL to clear himself Of weight, ane
clumsily rose. 81 reckon that's all
you stay Out?'
, 1--WE stand clear" said Raymond.
Carter fumbled for his hat ~
course you mustn't think we blame
you, Kelly. You are right enough IRON
your point Of view, but what would DE
come of labor if We all stood asider
II don't know" said Kelly. "Ther'
are wise men who have studied Thu
problem-Hennery Cargo, for instance
we might look into his way. I'm don
sure your ways Of violence will never
, cure the evil"
AS they stood on the threshold Brocl
, spoke with vicious sheer, "Weii re
, port your answer"
AS the door closed behind them Ray
mond turned to Kelly with look o
! s4 norc,onity HAf0tt thfg mean.