Hellraisers Journal: From the International Socialist Review: “The Battling Miners of West Virginia” by Edward H. Kintzer, Part II

Quote Mother Jones, Red Flag of Socialism, ISR p303, Oct 1912 —————

Hellraisers Journal – Thursday October 3, 1912
“The Battling Miners of West Virginia” by Edward H. Kintzer, Part II

From the International Socialist Review of October 1912:

The Battling Miners of West Virginia

By EDWARD H. KINTZER
Socialist Candidate for State Auditor of West Virginia.

[Part II of II]

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Send the Politicians Here.

In this situation the pure and simple politicians could learn a lesson in tactics. It is one of the unusual conditions in America’s industrial wars, in which are engaged men who understand the importance of political action, but who feel how hopelessly lost they would be to depend solely upon this in the present crisis. Many of these strikers are members of the Socialist party. To suggest to them that sabotage or other than political acts or taking a timely vacation from work would exclude them from the sacred circle where politics is crowned king, would cause them to question your sanity.

Nor are the miners alone in this fight. There is a bond of sympathy between workers in the region that is worthy of note. It is an example of the class consciousness that is permeating industry all over the world.

The railroaders who haul the mine guards understand that they (the mine guards) are not spying upon them; that it is the miners who are being hounded, but their hatred for the guards has precipitated several fatalities.

Dead bodies of two guards were found under a structural steel bridge, apparently having fallen while walking the ties. Yet it is the boast of train crews that they loathe these human bloodhounds. Numerous such circumstances have come to light.

The favorite position of the guards while traveling the coal region is to perch themselves on the pilot of the engine. On one occasion three guards boarded the pilot. The engineer of the freight train was particularly hostile to them. He opened wide the throttle and went at a speed that none of his crew knew the train to make before. But they understood. Anything that could happen was welcome. Sharp curves had no terrors for the engineer. What this mad race meant might only be guessed at. Whether or not what happened was by design or accident, all the miners and most of the railroaders considered it more than just. Rounding a curve, with the complacency of the guards taxed to the utmost, the strain upon the crew being unusual, a cow attempted to cross the track. The guards say there was plenty of time to slow down and allow her to cross. The engineer declared that it was impossible unless he unbuckled his train. Result: Before the bovine could wink her tranquil eye she was unrecognizable, with quantities of her blood, hair and what-not covering the three guardsmen, who were otherwise unharmed. A hasty bath in a nearby creek restored the appearance of the guards, and with knowing winks among the crew, the train moved on.

Politics Preempted.

Only those who understand the industrial conditions of West Virginia, particularly among the miners, where organization is less than in other states, and where working conditions are so bad and the pay so small that they are used to break coal strikes in other sections of the country, can appreciate the plight of the miners.

The politics of the state are completely under the domination of Democratic ex-Senator Henry Gassaway Davis and the present senators, Watson and Chilton. Watson resigned the presidency of the Consolidation Coal Company, the largest producer in West Virginia, to become a senator. Chilton is a corporation lawyer and mine owner. The recent petition signed by citizens and presented to the senate, charging both Watson and Chilton with purchasing their seats, is the beginning of a case that promises even greater exposures than the Lorimer scandal.

The Republicans, until losing control in 1910, were the dominant political party. The late Senator Stephen B. Elkins, son-in-law of Democratic Boss Henry Gassaway Davis, was the Republican boss. Politics with such men is no hobby. It is a business. Their interests needed protection.

When the son-in-law lost, the father-in-law won. When Senator Elkins died the first action of the West Virginia legislature was to proclaim his son, Davis Elkins, senator for the unexpired term. When one is correctly informed of the conditions, the wonder grows that these miners can restrain themselves as they have. But the answer is: Socialist agitation and competent leadership.

Harold W. Houston, the most prominent Socialist in West Virginia, State Secretary of the Socialist party, has been engaged as attorney for the miners. Called into this industrial fight after having been nominated for governor, Houston tendered his resignation to assist labor’s cause. He was the nominee for governor in 1908, and is an able fighter in the ranks of the working class, having won distinction through many engagements on the stump and in legal action.

That he understands working class tactics none but his opponents will deny. He is a real “red.” When called upon for a speech in convention following his nomination for governor, Houston struck a chord of revolutionary thought that is still vibrating, and has assisted the miners in their present crisis in keeping them free from compromise and political entanglements. His maiden speech in this campaign was on industrial unionism, pointing out the fallacy of craft unionism. He made it clear that he was not bidding for the votes of union men that do not know the position of industrial Socialists. Nor did he ask the workers to hold in awe capitalist-made laws.

[As he expressed it:]

Having been behind the scenes when the “sacred” laws of our land were being twisted to suit the occasion, I can have little respect for capitalist-made law.

He particularly referred to the judge-made law [Government by Injunction] that is invoked in nearly every strike.

Having proved his fidelity and worth as a fighter the miners insisted that he accept the nomination for prosecuting attorney of Kanawah county. They argued that in such capacity he could serve them best.

“Deluded people,” some may say, “they will be counted out of a majority.” Not so. The workers understand the situation and are preparing for such an emergency. Watchers will he stationed at he polls. If any treachery is detected a signal will bring an armed force of miners to demand their rights in no uncertain terms. They are prepared to carry the election and secure the political powers of the county in which the state capital is located.

Since Mother Jones has been among the workers in the strike district, speaking to them on the necessity of organization for concerted action, the atmosphere is clearing and the hope of the toilers is increasing. Recently, while speaking to an immense audience, she said:

We feel that the time is near at hand when the red flag of Socialism will float triumphantly over the citadel of capitalism. When that day comes the working people will no longer have to beg a job of some boss, for all will collectively own the means of production and distribution, which will insure for one and all the way to get the necessities and luxuries of life.

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[Emphasis added.]