Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1914-12-17

t6rS OF GOQ.
The novels of the miners are
wretched shelters at the best. We
have all seen some that were not fit
to house horses in. Suppose that the
miners, in exchange for their shacks,
were offered the spacious and COM
Portable mansions of the operators
on condition that they should accept
less than the Accent rate. They
could only reply as did the shelter
less carpenter of Nazareth: I'VE can
not. Begone, Satan
Dides and Lazarus.
Some thoughtless people believe the
statement that the operators would
have to sacrifice dividends in order to
pay the Accent rate for mining. We
will never know the real truth on that
point. Let it pass as true. The oper-
ators may have to cut dividends, or
salaries even. To pay the AZ cents
they may have to sacrifice comforts
and necessities. Let us even suppose
that they would have to live on coarse
bread and black coffee, and in min
er's hut. Perhaps they then could pay
AZ cents. They would pay it without
loss Of honor or manhood. And honor
and manhood are more precious
things than jingling money bags, il
they but knew it. The miners are in
infinitely worse plight. The miners
may have to feast with death. They
may have to exchange their huts for
graves. One thing they cannot do.
They must not accept fraction less
than Al cents. To do so would de-
grade them.
We are witnessing d shattering Wis
ion-the majestic spectacle of men
at the call Of honor.
The Profit to Us.
| In the weeks to come many a bust
ness mans home will be bright with
holiday lights and Christmas cheer
purchased by the fathers credit, his
promise to pay. Let him not forget
that the bleak walls and carpetless
floors Of 5000 miners shacks In east
ern Ohio stand as towering witnesses
that his promise, and every mans
promise, Is sacred when once given. I
At Christmas, loving husbands,
fathers, brothers and sweethAarts
will give gifts of pearls and es
to the women they love. The IS
will accept their promises to pa FAnd
rightly So A mans word is good.
Human tears have been hkened to
ELEVEN - MAJORITY
pearls. Christ in His agony sweat
blood richer than rubies. The tears
of many mothers in the miners cabins
are being shed in sorrow today. They
weep for newborn babes who perish.
They weep for haggard and hungry
children who clutch at them in
trembling fear They weep for chiv-
alric husbands and sons who cling
fast to a mans duty. and hold honor
dearer than life.
Many a father during the coming
winter will purchase warm clothing
and stockings of wool for his darling
f'kiddies" at home His purchases may
be got on credit. If so, he dare not
forget that 10000 children in the min
ing district of eastern Ohio are SILVER
ing with cold for his children's sake.
eaked shoulders are locked out ON
work, to punish them for unfolding
| the principle that faith can be put in
an honest mans word.
Our Neglect.
The miners of eastern Ohio are
| fighting for those of us who are men
| of honor In want and pain, they are
treading the perilous heights of duty.
Hunger and cold and sickness and
death confront them. Bravely they
dare these horrors which kill the
body. They must not be allowed to
suffer dishonor, for that kills the soul.
| To our shame be 1t said we have
not helped them in their dark hour.
We have not acclaimed them even
with any words Of cheer. TO the bit
terness of their cup we have added
the poison of our neglect and In
gratitude. 70 the pity of it. Iago."
For nine months those miners have
done their duty as men. For nine
months we other men have failed In
ours. With our noses in the muck OF
earth, we have been busy at the filthy
trade Of greedily gathering dollars
and dimes, They with their shining
faces toward heaven, have been reap.
ing character and winning glory be.
fore the angels who see Gods face.