Edward Boyce speaks about imprisoned Idaho Miners; LU 23 introduced Congressman Cromer

PLEA FOR IMPRISONED MINERS

Edward Boyce, President of Western Miners'

As­sociation Speaks to Sympathetic Hearers.

LABOR LEADER GIVEN GRAND OVATION BY UNION MEN

Paints Pathetic Picture of the Plight of American Citizens Confined Within the

Bull Pen — Resolutions Passed Pledging Aid for Oppressed Men —

Congressman Cromer Delivers an Eloquent Address.

The large court room was crowded with an enthusiastic audience last ev­ening, when Edward Boyce, president of the Western Miners' Association, spoke on behalf of his comrads who are imprisoned by the state authorities at Wardner, Idaho.

When Senator Ball introduced the sturdy miner, cheer after cheer arose from the audience, and the Westerner was given an ovation that spoke a hearty welcome to himself and the cause which he represented.

In opening his remarks. Mr. Boyce spoke in a calm and collected manner, but at times, when the thoughts of the wrongs to which his people had been subjected came before his mind more vividly, his delivery was passionate and responded to the feeling which his words expressed.

Never was a fairer statement of a case made than that given by Mr. Boyce.

In a painstaking manner Mr. Boyce reviewed the wrongs that had been imposed upon the miners in past years, reciting in particular the closing of the mines in 1892 and the subsequent re­duction of wages from $3.50 to $2.50 per day, at the instigation of the Standard Oil Company, which became interested in the property at that time.

The trouble at the Bunker Hill and Sullivan mines was thoroughly review­ed and the shameful treatment of the workers pointed out to the audience.

MARTIAL LAW DECLARED.

"In May of the present year," contin­ued Mr. Boyce, "martial law was de­clared in Shoshone county, and 800 sol­diers of the United States government were brought in to protect the mines from a few peaceable miners who were attempting to secure their rights and who had no idea of the destruction of property or life.

"Five hundred men were imported from Missouri to do the work of the miners who refused to accept the scale of wages offered by the company. When these men arrived they discov­ered that they had been imposed upon, and a number of them refused to go to work. This led to the arrest of many of the men.

"On the 4th of September all of the men who were imprisoned expected that they would have an opportunty [sic] opportunity to prove their innocence, but the prose­cuting attorney at that time held that the state had no jurisdiction, as the prisoners had committed federal offenses. Under this pretext the men were still kept in the bull pen.

ALL HOPE GONE

When the miners saw that all hope had vanished, they decided to tunnel their way out of their prison. This at­tempt was discovered on September 15. Captain Evans, who was in command of the troops, called the men out, and asked for the ringleader. The men re­plied that they had no ringleader; that they were all equally guilty, and fur­ther stated that all they desired was their libery [sic] liberty.

"'I will give you liberty!' replied Captain Evans.

"He then made them stand seven hours a day in the hot sun with­out being allowed to speak or move, compelled them to subsist on two meals of bread and water each day, and gave them nothing but the bare ground upon which to lay their heads.

COMPLETE HUMILIATION.

"Finally the men were ordered to dig a trench nine feet deep, but refused to comply. They were then given but one meal of bread and water a day. At last hunger reduced them to submis­sion, and they consented to go to work. One set of men was employed in dig­ging a trench, and as fast as they completed their work the earth was thrown back by another force of men. This was done simply to humiliate the men, and to show them how complete was their servitude.

"On July 17 we presented affida­vits to President McKinley showing the condition of affairs. These docu­ments showed that old men were beat­en with guns when they failed to obey some trifling order and that the prisoners were treated like dogs. I do not ask you to believe me but I have these sworn statements which I will read."

AT POINT OF BAYONETS.

One of the affidavits sworn to by J. W. Glass, Frank Shannan and others stated that Captain Lyons, an officer in charge of United States troops had forced the men to go to work at the point of a bayonet against their wishes and by coercion. Others dealt with the refusal to allow funeral rites to be held and the denial of the lost sacrament to a dying Catholic.

I am not permitted to go into the state," continued the speaker, "for I would be arrested and thrown in the bull pen. This is the order of Gover­nor Steudenberg, a man who sold his honor to the Standard Oil company for a mess of pottage. Had he been the man that Attorney General Monnett of Ohio was, the Standard Oil company or no other corporation on earth could have bought him and our wrongs would never have occurred.

"I defy a successful contradiction at the statements which I have made. None of the persons are here but I will furnish any skeptic with their addresses and he can discover for himself what the conditions are. He will find that men who left happy homes and families in the east to pursue the occupation of miners are oppressed by the tryannical [sic] tyrannical hand of the law of Idaho, acting in the interest of a giant corporation whose word is law with the puppet whose honor its gold has bought. Words fail to express my feeling. The souless and tyrannical op­pression of a trust is the only cause of our present condition.

"I know that when I tell our boys of your sympathy it will bring a ray of hope into their lives and they will thank you for the interest which you have taken in them. And when I add that I found in Muncie the finest body of laboring men which It has ever been my pleasure to meet they will be doubly glad."

CONGRESSMAN CROMER'S SPEECH

After the applause had subsided Con­gressman George W. Cromer was intro­duced by D. Burt, of the American Flint Glass Workers' Union, No. 23, who was the chairman of the commit­tee on arrangements for the meeting.

"I am glad for this opportunity to join with you," said Mr. Cromer, "in sympathizing with men who have been so greatly wronged. We have met not in the interests of rioters or mobs, but we are here in the behalf of men who are demanding justice and humanity. Organized labor does not encourage riots or mob law, but it does encourage and foster peace, harmony and good will. The citizens of Muncie have felt the influence of the fraternity and be­neficence of labor organizations, and we have had better law because of these unions.

"We do not believe, as does the gov­ernor of Idaho, that men who strive for justice and the right of organization are criminals worthy of severe punish­ment. That we do not, needs no other proof than the memory of two years ago, when the citizens of Muncie alone gave over $700 to the miners of Indi­ana. Let us aid the miners of far-off Idaho with moral encouragement and financial support, if necessary. Let us cultivate the sentiment for organized labor, that it may become a greater power for good than ever before."

RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.

At the close of the speech the follow­ing resolutions were unanimously adopted by a rising vote:

"Whereas, President Boyce, of the Western Federation of Miners, has told us of the injustice done the miners of Idaho; therefore, be it

"Resolved. That we the union labor men and citizens of Muncie, hereby ex­tend our sympathy to the innocent men at Wardner; and be it further

"Resolved. That we guarantee to President Boyce our assistance in whatever manner necessary to right the wrong and bring to public notice those who are guilty of coercion."

President Boyce was met at the train last evening by the Indiana band and escorted to the court house in a carriage with James Burke and J. E. Merrigan, members of the reception committee. After the conclusion of the program, an informal reception was held and nearly every man in the audi­ence was anxious to shake hands with the miner from the West.

The meeting was a success in every respect, and will no doubt result in im­mense good for the cause of the Idaho miners in Muncie.