More mines were in operation and more coal was hoisted in the Wyoming valley today than any day since the stationary fireman’s strike began. Despite any action that may be taken by the officers of the United Mine Workers’ association, the fact cannot be denied but that the United Workmen as a body are anxious to get back to work. How long they can be kept out by the executive heads is entirely problematical. History is repeating itself in the matter of union dictation to men who would work if they were not interfered with. * * * * * Debs On the Steel Strike. Eugene V. Debs in a speech at the Kankakee, Ill., Chautauqua last Saturday had this to say on the question of the steel strike: “There is no use for the Federation of Labor to bluff, for it simply injures the cause of labor with the American people. The Federation has not two million members. It has not half that number. When it says it can raise $500,000 a week, it is simply bluster and blow. It cannot raise $5,000 a week. I have had experience in raising money for strikers. It is not thus that strikes are settled.” Eugene ought to know what a strike bluff is and seems to speak honestly this time. * * * * * Mr. Gower for Jailer. In this issue appears the announcement of G. W. Gower, of Madisonville, for Jailer of Hopkins county, subject to the action of the Republican convention, which meets at Madisonville next Monday, July 29. Mr. Gower is well and favorably known throughout the county and has served very acceptably in the past as city marshal of Madisonville. No one is better qualified for the office than he. He is making an active canvas for the nomination and says if his is favored by the convention he will do his utmost to see the entire ticket elected in November. * * * * * “Enforce the Law.” We quote from Glenn’s Graphic a comment on what came near being a serious riot at the county seat on Monday of last week: There is no one who is in favor of law and its enforcement who can or will defend these men in their unlawful acts of last Monday. Here in Madisonville, a town that in the past has been noted as being the most quiet and orderly in the state, an officer in the discharge of his duty attempts to arrest a man for an offense committed. The man refuses to be arrested, two of his race come to his rescue and they interfere by demanding that the officer shall turn the man loose and go and arrest the other—a white man, before they would agree to the arrest. These men were not citizens of this county, some of them were not citizens of the state, they are colored men from elsewhere, yet in broad daylight, in the presence of the people they defy the officer of the law.