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Rev. Edward S. Phillips. 
 
A REVIEW 
 
 OF THE 
 
 LIFE AND LABORS 
 
 FOR HUMANITY 
 
 OF 
 
 Rev. Edward S. Phillips, 
 
 AS MADE BY A PERSONAL WITNESS OF THE 
 PRINCIPAL EVENTS IN HIS HISTORY, 
 
 BY 
 
 WILLIAM JOYCE, 
 
 SPECIAL PRESS AGENT AND EDITORIAL 
 WRITER DURING THE ANTHRACITE 
 LABOR TROUBLES OF 
 1900-1901. 
 
 <UNipNf-&/lLABtl,> 
 
 POTTSVILLE, PA. : 
 CHRONICLE BOOK ROOMS. 
 
 V 
 
ris4 
 
 THE LIBRARY OF 
 
 CONGRESS, 
 Two Copfts Received 
 
 AUG. 6 1901 
 
 COPVRlGMT ENTH» 
 
 CLASS Q-'XXc. No. 
 COPY 3. 
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1901, 
 
 8V 
 
 WILLIAM JOYCE. 
 
fnttobuction. 
 
 To review the life of any man is a difficult task. This 
 is particularly true in the case of Rev. Edward S. Phillips, 
 For a number of years prior to his death he had been 
 prominently before the public, and the praise of a grateful 
 and admiring people was bestowed upon him in such 
 measure as to appear at times fulsome. But this general 
 recognition of his sacrifices and his admitted devotion to 
 the welfare of mankind was not attained without trials — 
 exciting jealousy, opposition and criticism. 
 
 Father Phillips had a creative genius that was ever on 
 the alert for building, improving, planning and seeking 
 avenues of exercise. The affairs of the coal miners he 
 made his own when danger threatened their happiness. 
 Their difficulties he shared and, while he suffered censure, 
 as all energetic men must where public questions are in- 
 volved, his interference was born of that devotion to so- 
 ciety and to God which is conceived and pursued only by 
 the patriots and martyrs of an age. 
 
 In th€ miners' strike he attained a prominence that in 
 its import was prodigious. The proper treatment of 
 such an important problem needed not only tact and di- 
 plomacy, but also careful study; that to be complete and 
 thorough required years of exertion. There were periods 
 during that struggle when the good priest despaired, but 
 
 3 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 the spirit of progressiveness and the strength given by an 
 abiding faith in Him who does all things best brought so- 
 lace and comfort. 
 
 During the more recent controversy between capital 
 and labor lie appeared more prominently than ever be- 
 fore. His work in that connection was not for the halo 
 which a fitful public casts upon the author of a worthy 
 achievement. His thought was only of those whom he 
 wished to benefit — society at large. He sought not the 
 credit for what was accomplished, but with a modesty 
 that proclaimed his greatness he gave all credit to his as- 
 sociates. 
 
 His aim was to do nothing partial or to favor one at 
 the expense of pain to another. He knew full well that 
 the precipitation of a second strike at the coal mines 
 would have brought distress and misery to all classes, re- 
 gardless of station. To avert this was the task he under- 
 took voluntarily. It was a noble purpose he had in view, 
 and to this end he carried it with quiet dignity and suc- 
 cess. 
 
 It was the writer's privilege to be on intimate terms 
 with Father Phillips, and to share to a degree his confi- 
 dence during the trying times of the coal miners' strike, 
 and later when he was arranging to meet J. P. Morgan on 
 behalf of the miners. In both instances he had but a 
 single aim, and that was to do something which would 
 benefit the public at large. He held that it was every 
 man's duty to exercise whatever influence he commanded 
 at any time that he might be able to do some good for 
 others. 
 
 4 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 He was a man of broad views, making the cause of hu- 
 manity his own. Naturally, his greatest efforts were ex- 
 tended in behalf of his own people or those of his congre- 
 gation. They always claimed his attention, and no mat- 
 ter how pressing a prior engagement might be, he never 
 closed his ears to an appeal from that source. But, as 
 in the case of the Irish race, while in his breast there burn- 
 ed an affection for Ireland and her sons that was strong 
 and fervid, and while for the children of his charge he 
 was ever solicitous, humanity as a whole always found 
 in him an ardent and able advocate. 
 
 The writer disclaims any purpose of producing a pre- 
 tentious work, but rather to supply a simple review of 
 the career into which was crowded an amount of labor 
 on behalf of society seldom equalled by men with sucH 
 limited financial means, and whose position was not fa- 
 vorable to activity in public affairs. His resources were 
 comparatively meagre ; and yet this fact did not seem to 
 materially interfere with the success of projects under- 
 taken. 
 
 He made no pretentions of being eloquent as an orator 
 or to appear as a polished speaker, and there were many 
 who excelled in eloquence and diction. But his manner 
 was magnetic. He was earnest and enthusiastic, and 
 whether addressing a caller in his study or a congregation 
 from the pulpit he transmitted the fire of his convictions, 
 conveyed in the most impressive way his ideas, and com- 
 pelled sympathetic attention. In making an address in 
 public his disposition towards the dramatic was at times 
 pronounced. While he very rarely wrote out a sermon 
 
 5 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 or an address, the discourse would be none the less in- 
 structive. He had that quahty which enables a speaker 
 to strike right at the kernel of his subject without appear- 
 ing abrupt or destroying the effect. At such times his 
 eyes, which were unusually large and set prominently, 
 lighted up with a peculiar brilliancy; his manner became 
 surcharged, and there seemed to flow through his veins a 
 current as strange and powerful as the electric fluid it- 
 self. But it was as an extemporaneous speaker that 
 he excelled. A happy disposition, unfailing humor and 
 a fund of wit that frequently scintillated, enabled him to 
 meet an}^ emergency in social intercoiirse. The traits 
 peculiar to the Celt were in him personified, making him 
 a sharp and ingenious controvertist. 
 
 His voice was pleasant and had a metallic ring that 
 excited sympathy. He had a tendency to drawl in pro- 
 nunciation which attracted rather than repelled. This 
 peculiarity was more likely to be noticed when speaking 
 casually than when making a formal address. 
 
 His personality was engaging. His honest, open and 
 frank expression would disarm the most captious. Al- 
 though he was subject to stomach trouble, which some- 
 times made his complexion appear florid and his look 
 severe, he rarely complained and never permitted physical 
 Aveakness to cloud his sunny disposition. 
 
 His manner was simple, though even in his home life 
 he maintained a degree of formality that might be re- 
 garded by a visitor as austere. Fevv^ priests better ap- 
 preciated the grandeur and solemnity of special church 
 ser\'ices, and which can be seen nowhere outside of the 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 Catholic church, and fewer still could discharge the func- 
 tions with such grace and impressiveness. 
 
 His efforts in behalf of humanity were lofty, sincere, 
 and effective. He was brave in adversity, had a strong 
 faith in human character, was wise in his ministrations, 
 and faithful and untiring in his efforts to lighten the bur- 
 dens of his fellows. His generosity in treating material 
 affairs where the interest of others were concerned was al- 
 most unbounded, and incidents in his life demonstrating 
 this were not few. In daily pursuits the ordinary affairs 
 received his most careful attention, but he was not an or- 
 dinary man, and the limit of the average was frequently 
 passed, showing the broader plane on which he live^^-and 
 the breadth of libeolity with which he viewed affairs. 
 
 His work in favor of the Irish race was quietly con- 
 ducted, and while it never received the attention which 
 minor efforts working through Parliamentary or news- 
 paper channels would have given, it was simply stu- 
 pendous. In bringing together the elements and paving 
 the way for concerted action in behalf of Ireland and her 
 sons, on this side of the Atlantic he was more potent than 
 any other agency. Indeed, it is not too much to say that 
 his work in this respect compared with that of Parnell, who 
 devoted his life almost exclusively to solidifying the race 
 and promoting beneficial legislation, with the aim of se- 
 curing a free and independent Ireland. No one, except- 
 ing those enjoying his confidence or who were intimately 
 associated with him in that magnificent enterprise, can 
 appreciate even in a small way the opposition that was 
 encountered, and the seemingly insurmountable barriers 
 
 7 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 that were overcome. This work in itself would stand as 
 a monument to his memory and will ever make his name 
 revered among the people he loved above all on earth. 
 
 EPITOMIZED BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
 
 The Reverend Edward Stanislaus Phillips was born 
 near Hawley, Wayne County, Pa., October 4th, 185 1, and 
 was a son of Edward and Mary O'Hara Phillips, natives 
 of County Mayo, Ireland, where they were married irt 
 November, 1839, a few years later coming to America. 
 They first located near Hawley, where the father worked 
 and boated on the canal until 1852, in which year he re- 
 moved to Pittston, where he was employed by the Penn- 
 sylvania Coal Company until a few years before his 
 death, which occurred July 25, 1890, when he was aged 
 seventy-six y^ars. His wife, Mary, died January 7, 1891. 
 The Phillips family consisted of three children, of whom 
 Michael died in Ireland when but an infant, and Mary A. 
 married John J. Dougherty, of Pittston, by whom she had 
 thirteen children, nine of whom are living, the eldest being 
 Dr. A. F. Dougherty, of Ashley, Luzerne County, Pa. 
 Father Phillips, who was the youngest in his father's fam- 
 ily, when a youth attended the public schools of Pittston 
 and was tutored in his preparatory studies by Father Fin- 
 nan, Vicar General of the Diocese of Scranton, and pastor 
 of St. John's Church, Pittston. He finished his classical 
 studies in St. Charles's College, Ellicott City, Md. ; his 
 philosophy and theology at St. Charles's Theological 
 Seminary, Philadelphia, and was ordained September 
 29th, 1875, in the Cathedral in Scranton, by the late Right 
 
EPITOMIZED BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. 
 
 Reverend William O'Hara, D. D. He was engaged in 
 ministerial work at the Cathedral for two years, after 
 which he was located in various parts of the Diocese, prin- 
 cipally in Plymouth, Plains and Hazleton. 
 
BISHOP McFAUUS TRIBUTE. 
 Mr. WiUiam Joyce, Hadeton, Pa. 
 
 Dear Sir: — In reply to your request for a fezv lines in 
 relation to Father Phillips, I beg leave to say that while 
 engaged in reuniting and reorganising the Ancient Or- 
 der of Hibernians I had frequent opportunities of observ- 
 ing the excellent qualities of mind and heart zvhich he 
 possessed, and now that his friends, out of the midst of 
 their great sorrow, are looking for some ray of consola- 
 tion it affords me much satisfaction to testify publicly to 
 the high esteem in zvhich I held his name and the affection 
 zvith which I shall always cherish his memory He zuas 
 a true man, a loyal American, a patriotic Irishman, and 
 a self-sacriiicing clergyman. 
 
 The incidents connected with his last moments zvere 
 indeed pathetic. He had long battled manfully for jus- 
 tice and religion, generously pouring out his heart and 
 soul for the material and spiritual zvelfare of his fellozv- 
 men. The poor, the afflicted, the oppressed, the victims 
 of "man's inhumanity to man," had in him ever a friend 
 and an advocate. Surely that God zvhose mercy is bound- 
 Jess regarded the sacrifices of His servant and clothed him 
 tvith the mantle of heavenly charity. 
 
 Very faithfully yours, 
 ^ JAMES A. McFAUL, 
 
 Bishop of Trenton. 
 
 Bishop's House, Trenton, N. J., May 2^, ipoi. 
 
 lO' 
 
CHAPTER I. 
 
 TATHER PHILLIPS AS PASTOR OF ST. GABRIEL^S CHURCH. 
 REVIEW OF ITS EARLY HISTORY AND THE WORK DONE 
 DURING THE THREE YEARS OF HIS ADMINISTRATION. 
 
 Rev. Father Edward S. Phillips was first appointed 
 to the Hazleton Parish in November, 1879. Prior to that 
 he had been stationed at Plymouth, Luzerne County, Pa., 
 as curate and was sent to Hazleton to serve in a like ca- 
 pacity under Very Rev.Father J.J.Cummiskey,then pastor 
 of St. Gabriel's Church, with Rev. Father Edward Fitz- 
 maurice first assistant. In June, 1888, he was appointed 
 pastor of the Plains Parish, Luzerne County. 
 
 It was in February, 1898, that Father Phillips was re- 
 turned to St. Gabriel's, this time to succeed Father Cum- 
 miskey, who, to secure needed relaxation and relief 
 from the strain of overwork and which had been telling 
 on his physical condition for some time, had planned to 
 go to Rome. When Father Cummiskey left Hazleton 
 Father O'Rourke was sent from St. Mary's Parish, 
 Wilkes-Barre, as acting pastor of St. Gabriel's until a 
 permanent appointment could be made. It was not un- 
 til three months after his selection as rector of St. Ga- 
 briel's that Father Phillips took charge. For Father 
 Phillips, his appointment as pastor of St. Gabriel's dated 
 a period of hard and successful labor such as would dis- 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 tinguish the record of the most zealous worker even in 
 a more extensive field. 
 
 Father Cummiskey, whom he succeeded as pastor, had 
 been practically exhausted physically, and the church 
 property had been allowed to run down. Upon his shoul- 
 ders had fallen the great burden of discharging a heavy 
 debt, providing for a new edifice, arranging the details 
 for a parish that was to become the third largest in the 
 then new Diocese of Scranton. Originally, Hazleton be- 
 longed to the Philadelphia Diocese. Although compar- 
 atively strong numerically it was weak financially, and 
 when the first church building was replaced by the pres- 
 ent large and commodious structure, the work of main- 
 taining it and discharging the debt incident to its erec- 
 tion was a colossal undertaking. The new church was 
 built in 1869, and was then under the supervision of 
 Father Filan, who was assisted by Father O'Hara. 
 Father Filan decided to cast his lot with the 
 old Diocese of Philadelphia, and left Hazleton. 
 He was succeeded by Father O'Hara, who had 
 been his assistant, and who, it would appear, had 
 but little knowledge of the great work attending the care 
 of a new and debt-burdened edifice. Father O'Hara was 
 succeeded by Father Hennessey, who remained for two 
 years, when the predecessor of Father Phillips, Rev. 
 Father J. J. Cummiskey, was made pastor of the new 
 church in the then very young Diocese of Scranton. 
 
 Father Cummiskey found a debt of $46,000 with 
 which he had to begin work, besides a somewhat disor- 
 ganized parish which extended over a very large territory. 
 
AS PASTOR OF ST. GABRIEL S. 
 
 Into the work he threw all the vigor of his young man- 
 hood. To take care of the finances was in itself a task 
 which required considerable executive ability to meet. 
 His efforts met with gratifying success, and he felt so 
 much encouraged that the work of erecting a convent was 
 undertaken. This was adding more to the burdens of 
 the pastor than probably he appreciated at the time, but 
 he was assisted greatly by the Community of Sisters, 
 then very uncomfortably established in the neighborhood. 
 By their combined efforts they succeeded in erecting a 
 handsome and commodious horne that was afterward to 
 become the Mother House for the Sisters of Mercy. A 
 new school was erected and the foundation for the third 
 largest parish in the Diocese was secured. When mat- 
 ters looked brightest for relief from worry of debt and 
 the vicissitudes incident to building in small communities, 
 an unlooked for and severe loss was to occur. This was 
 occasioned by subterranean disturbances, and by. which 
 the pillars of the mines beneath had crumbled, the sur- 
 face settled, and for a time ruin threatened the new 
 church property. The church was badly shaken, tim- 
 bers twisted and distorted. It was abandoned and it was 
 feared that a complete collapse would take place or the 
 structure would be engulfed. After the excitement and 
 the period of danger had passed, Father Cummiskey re- 
 turned to the work of practically rebuilding, and, with the 
 same perseverance and skill that had characterized ear- 
 lier efforts, he was soon enabled to have the edifice put 
 into serviceable shape. This was a trying time for St. 
 Gabriel's. In the work of reconstruction the pastor was 
 
 13 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 ably assisted by his curates, Fathers Fitzmanrice and Phil- 
 lips. Confidence was restored among the parishioners 
 and among- the Community of Sisters, who also were fear- 
 ful for the safety of the convent and school. 
 
 AVith these incidents of the early work in the manage- 
 ment of tlie parish property, without referring to the spir- 
 itual duties that were extensive and arduous, it was not to 
 be wondered at that Father Cummiskey's physical condi- 
 tion became impaired and the struggle began to tell upon 
 his energies. For a number of years the spiritual wel- 
 fare of his flock almost entirely absorbed his attention and 
 the material was to a degree neglected. This condition 
 resulted in a visible decline of the church property after 
 more than twenty-five years of supervision. It was, 
 therefore, in a depreciated condition that Father Phillips 
 found his charge when he returned to St. Gabriel's as 
 pastor after an absence of ten years. He was favored 
 with the recommendation of the old pastor, whose deter- 
 mination to leave the country had excited the keenest re- 
 gret not only among the parishioners, but the people of 
 the community as well. Father Cummiskey well appre- 
 ciated the executive ability of his former curate, and, as 
 results proved, he was fully justified in endorsing him as 
 his successor. 
 
 Tke new management seemed to show an immediate and 
 electrifying effect upon the parish of St. Gabriel's. The 
 cemetery, which had been falling into decay as far as 
 landscape work was concerned, was one of the first parts 
 of his new charge to receive attention. His executive 
 ability Vv'as quite marvelous. For years very little at- 
 
 14 
 
AS PASTOR OF ST. GABRIEL S. 
 
 tention had been paid to the resting place of the deceased 
 members of the church. It was completely overrun with 
 a moimtainous growth of timber and shrubbery, the fence 
 dilapidated, walks obliterated, tombstones broken and 
 crumbling, and altogether it presented a deplorable ap- 
 pearance. Under the direction of the new pastor a sex- 
 ton was engaged and a large force of men was employed, 
 rescuing the walks and drives from the promiscuous 
 growth of trees and brushwood. A new fence was erect- 
 ed, and this in the face of other dil^culties requiring even 
 more arduous efforts to surround. The cemetery was 
 transformed from a scene of wild and neglected desolation 
 to one of beauty and attractiveness, and made to compare 
 with the handsomest resting place in the Diocese. This 
 work was not accomplished without much toil and sacri- 
 fice, but even that did not exhaust the resources of the 
 management. Besides inaugurating many improve- 
 ments, the general work was systematized, and at the 
 close of his stewardship the treasury showed a handsome 
 balance, which is the best evidence of judicious and in- 
 telligent supervision. 
 
 When Father Cummiskey gave up his charge there was 
 still $1,500 out of the $46,000 indebtedness undischarged. 
 Father Phillips at once began a movement to have this 
 liquidated, along with improving the church, convent 
 and parochial school buildings. There was no detail in 
 the care of property or of his flock that he had not early 
 considered and arranged for. The lawns about the con- 
 vent, school, church and parish house were soon under 
 the care of attendants. With landscape gardening he 
 
 15 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 seemed to be quite as familiar as in caring- for his people. 
 Gradually the entire property, which occupies fully, two 
 squares front and rear, began to show the effects of earn- 
 est attention. Buildings were painted and repaired ; im- 
 provements were added to bring them up to modern re- 
 quirements, and to make them a credit not only to the par- 
 ish but the community as well. 
 
 In the meantime it was not to be accepted that the ways 
 and means were provided by magic. The development 
 was pushed in face of what at times seemed to be insur- 
 mountable difficulties. The congregation is composed 
 mostly of coal workers, and at that time industrial condi- 
 tions were far from prosperous or satisfactory. There 
 were, too, many annoyances encountered which are com- 
 mon to the care of a large congregation, but nothing 
 seemed to daunt the man at the helm. Breakers were 
 met and passed in safety, and along with making the 
 church property more beautiful and of greater value, unity 
 was more perfectly established, and St. Gabriel's was en- 
 joying, as it never had before, general happiness, a free- 
 dom from church debt, prosperity and contentment. 
 
CHAPTER II. 
 
 WHERE CATHOLIC PRIEST AND METHODIST MINISTERS GOT 
 ALONG WELL TOGETHER. METHODIST CONFERENCE 
 
 AIDED BY FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 Father Phillips was an lenthusiast, and once he deter- 
 mined upon a project that was to improve congregational 
 conditions or promote the common welfare of the com- 
 munity, he seldom relincjuished the purpose until the work 
 was completed. His magnanimity extended to the city 
 in which he had been selected to finish his life work. 
 There was a liberality in his teaching which bore fruit in 
 the good will of the community, regardless of creed or 
 nationality. He was a man of surprises, did things on a 
 generous scale, and viewed humanity upon the broad 
 plane which is so well exemplified in the teachings of the 
 Church he served so well. His appreciation for general 
 happiness was stronger than is shown by the average 
 Churchman. But he was not an average man. While 
 it was regarded to some extent as quite extraordinary 
 that a Catholic priest should throw open his doors and ex- 
 tend the hospitality of his home to ministers of the Meth- 
 odist faith, he did not deem it so. 
 
 The occasion on which this incident occurred was 
 during the Conference of Methodist ministers held in 
 Hazleton during 1900. The number of visitors to the 
 city made it necessary for the committee on entertainment 
 
 17 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 appointed by the local Methodist Church to ask citizens to 
 aid in accommodating them. Casually it was suggested 
 to Father Phillips that some difficulty was being exper- 
 ienced in providing quarters for all of the ministers. The 
 remark was made by an aged gentleman, who, while not 
 of the Catholic faith, was on excellent terms with the 
 pastor of St. Gabriel's. He had not looked for an offer 
 and was. perhaps, a little surprised when the good priest 
 made the proposition to entertain two ministers during 
 their stay in the city. The ministers selected by the Con- 
 ference to partake of the hospitality of the priest were 
 Rev. R. H. Colburn. pastor of the Beaver Church at Lew^- 
 isburg, and Rev. George Leidy. pastor of the First Meth- 
 odist Church, Altoona. During their stay in the priest's 
 house a warm friendship developed between the minis- 
 ters and priest. The hospitality of the priest was accept- 
 ed in the spirit in which it had been extended, and in let- 
 ters exchanged later invitations A\'ere offered the priest to 
 spend some time v. ith them. It was the intention of 
 Father Phillips to avail himself of the invitations, but 
 the chance ne\'er presented itself to make such a trip con- 
 venient. 
 
 When the meeting was first suggested it created some 
 astonishment among the delegates to the Conference. Tt 
 was the first time in the history of Conference work that 
 a proposition of this kind had been received. There 
 was some debate in selecting the ministers who were to 
 find the company of a parish priest agreeable for a week. 
 When the ministers finally arrived at the parochial resi- 
 dence they were cordially greeted by Father Phillips. He 
 
 i8 
 
FATHER PHILLIPS AND THE METHODISTS. 
 
 conducted them to the quarters prepared and, that they 
 might familiarize themselves with their surroundings, 
 left them with this remark : 
 
 "Here is what we have to offer in the way of accom- 
 modation. I trust you will find your stay agreeable, and 
 1 want to say at the outset that while our customs may 
 seem strange to you in some respects, I ask you not to 
 permit it to interfere with your comfort, as we do not ex- 
 pect to see you depart from customs that have developed 
 with your lives." 
 
 This incident Avas very extensively commented on at 
 the time, but it interfered not with the exchange of cour- 
 tesies in that mixed household. Father Phillips loved 
 his fellow-man and never forgot those niceties of life 
 which go to promote the happiness of all. 
 
 19 
 
CHAPTER III. 
 
 ALWAYS ON THE ALERT TO DO GOOD. FRIEND OF THE 
 POOR AND GUARDIAN OF HIS FLOCK. THE UNFIN- 
 ISHED LIBRARY WORK. 
 
 Grenerosity was strong in his nature. What he gave 
 in the way of donations for local enterprises only the 
 recipients know. For the poorer members of his con- 
 g'regation he was ever solicitous. Those who shared his 
 bounty were many. But it was the aged people for 
 whom his care was keenest and his purse was ever open. 
 The weak, the unfortunate, the distressed in every cor- 
 ner of the parish he knew. His devotion to the principles 
 of the Good Samaritan was as strong as to any part of 
 the commission he held as an Ambassador of God on 
 earth. He instituted societies for the care of the poor, 
 and kept himself thoroughly posted upon their work. He 
 sent his agents to visit the sick and clothe the poor, to 
 succor the needy and help the distressed. His charity 
 was as boundless as the sunny disposition which charmed 
 «evc4yon€ with whom he came in contact. His patience 
 Avas inexhaustible, and nothing seemed to even mo- 
 menitarily shadow the hope which filled his life. There 
 were occasions when his co-workers seemed to despair 
 of carrying through successfully enterprises which they 
 had undertaken under his direction. They turned to 
 him discouraged, but usually returned to the task 
 
THE FRIEND OF THE POOR. 
 
 filled with new determination and confidence in the out- 
 come. He was a designer, a builder and an inventor. 
 Plans for carrying out projects of church work he de- 
 vised with marvelous facility, and by his own enthu- 
 siasm inspired those about him, gave counsel and listened 
 patiently to the skeptics, but brought to a successful ter- 
 mination that which he had undertaken. 
 
 One of the largest projects which he had conceived 
 for the benefit of the parish and the city was the building 
 of a library. This proposition he had entertained for 
 some months prior to the issuance of the final summons. 
 In view of the many improvements that had been made 
 to the parish property there was no financial base to begin 
 active operations upon. He set himself to work assid- 
 uously. The task seemed too great to the interested 
 members of the parish, and there was doubt shown on all 
 sides. He was not discouraged. The plans he had con- 
 ceived he was deliberating upon for some time. Mat- 
 ters were progressing favorably for taking active steps 
 when death intervened. It was a giant undertak- 
 ing under existing circumstances, but would doubt- 
 less have been carried to a successful end had not 
 the Omnipotent willed otherwise. In this enterprise he 
 saw not only the good moral effect that might result, but 
 also the means for lessening the ills from which people of 
 the mining communities suffer. 
 
 The education of the youth of the mining region was 
 to him an imperative necessity in order that the strife 
 which beset labor so frequently might better be com- 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 passed. In referring to this matter while sitting in his 
 study one afternoon he said : 
 
 "Here is a letter, one of many which I have received, 
 a.sking my views on the economic question. This letter 
 is written by a gentleman whom I believe is as he repre- 
 sents himself, and perfectly sincere in what he says regard- 
 ing the best methods for treating the labor question. He 
 speaks of the situation in a scientific way. There is much 
 in what he says of interest to our own people, and yet 
 this man, after years of study, admits that he has found 
 it almost impossible to come to a definite conclusion. 
 That is common sense, in my view. The economic prob- 
 lem is complex and solutions change with conditions, while 
 conditions are ever changing. The panacea for one lo- 
 cality, applied to another, may be a poison. This is as it 
 refers to the general situation. There are, of course, 
 theories which can be followed safely to a certain extent. 
 But what I am most interested in just at present is my own 
 locality, my own people, and that which will tend to pro- 
 m.ote their welfare. In this respect the little library which 
 we already have. I think, offers the nucleus for providing a 
 medium that will give a solution, in one direction at least. 
 During the labor troubles just passed it was frequently 
 charged that the people of the mining patches were illiter- 
 ate. This was base calumny. The people of what they 
 call the 'mining patches' w^ill compare favorably in intel- 
 ligence A\ith those of any other labor districts of the coun- 
 try. Still, there is room for further improvement, and 
 from my present point of view this library, of which I 
 speak, will offer valuable aid in spreading the light. The 
 
THE FRIEND OF THE POOR. 
 
 danger in conflicts between labor and capital in the min- 
 ing regions lies not so much in the precipitation of a striks 
 as in its settlement. There is where the recent differences 
 gave us a lesson. The matter of negotiations is every- 
 thing. I do not say that all coal operators are unscru- 
 pulous, but many have a knack of putting things in such 
 a way that the average laboring man cannot understand 
 them. The result is likely to lead to dissatisfaction. What 
 we want is amicability in these things. Let us understand 
 each other. I can see in this library movement where 
 this amicability may be promoted, and it is for that end I 
 shall endeavor to have it erected. We have not funds 
 just now, but I feel that a way will present itself shortly. 
 Our boys and girls deserve every consideration in this re- 
 spect." 
 
 This little chat gave a clearer insight to the man's life 
 than perhaps volumes of eulogistic matter. He had been 
 importuned by many writers and authors to write his 
 views on economic questions. Some of those gave evi- 
 dences of sincerity, while in letters from others there was 
 room for doubt. He treated all with deferential consid- 
 eration, but, as far as known, replied to none. One of the 
 letters which impressed him most was from a New York 
 gentleman, who explained at some length how himself and 
 his father had endeavored to solve the labor problem, both 
 in this country and in England. According to the writer, 
 his father had been a broad humanitarian and philan- 
 thropist. He stated that after having provided employees 
 with every comfort and endeavored to promote their hap- 
 piness there was little appreciation shown, and they were 
 
 23 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 as much at sea in the end as when they began. This man 
 was desirous of a view from Father Philhps. There 
 were many other letters received by him on the subject and 
 not a few from cranks who had information that would, 
 if adopted, they said, settle the labor question to a nicety. 
 Others advocated powder, while a few fanatics who had 
 gotten the idea into their heads that it was Father Phil- 
 lips's intention to turn the laboring world into the Catholic 
 Church, denounced him in unmeasured terms. The 
 threats excited a smile and the letter was filed away for 
 future amusement. 
 
 JCf 
 
 24 
 
CHAPTER IV. 
 
 HIS BEARING ON THE ECONOMIC QUESTIONS. THE RELA- 
 TIONS OF CAPITAL AND LABOR, NECESSARY TO EACH 
 OTHER IN PROMOTING ENTERPRISE AND THRIFT. THEIR 
 INTERESTS MUTUAL. 
 
 As a Student of economics he was persevering, careful 
 and considerate of all phases. His position in the field as 
 the champion of the laboring man advanced the impression 
 in some quarters that he was unalterably opposed to the 
 capitalist. That was wrong. His regard for the capital- 
 ist was never lost. His love for the poor and the lowly, 
 although strong, could not warp his appreciation for 
 what he conceived to be just. It is recalled that when the 
 great strike was precipitated in September, 1900, he was 
 called upon by a clergyman from another district. The 
 latter said he had come to study the question. He was s 
 man of considerable wealth and influence. Before coming 
 to the coal regions he had, in a public address, denounced 
 the coal operators as vampires, soulless and conscienceless 
 beings who idolized the dollar and made slaves of men. 
 He had pictured to his auditors the mining region as the 
 home of want, destitution and misery. This address had 
 been widely published. It placed its author on record 
 and, of course, left little room for doubt as to his opinion 
 and bearing. When he addressed himself to Father 
 Phillips and explained that he had come to study the ques- 
 
 25 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 lion, I'^ather Phillips inquired if he had not delivered the 
 address attrihuted to him by the newspapers. The visitor 
 admitted having been correctly reported. It is needless to 
 say that these two men occupied different positions in tlie 
 strife, and that they could not make companionable asso- 
 ciates. Father Phillips would not denounce all coal op- 
 erators unequivocally, because he had not found them tlie 
 imqualitied rascals which, by some, they were said to be. 
 There were other features of the operation of coal mines 
 ■which caused distress, however, and for those there vvas 
 room for investigation and censure. Father Phillips v/as 
 not an extremist. If he was he could not have made the 
 progress he did in drawing to him the attention of the fair- 
 minded of both sides, and holding their confidence and re- 
 spect. 
 
 His liberality of thought in this respect sometimes led 
 him into conflict with labor leaders, particularly the more 
 radical. There was good reason for the pacific views 
 Avhich he was Avont to express. Daily experiences brought 
 him in touch with all classes. He commanded the respect 
 of all. Full confidence was reposed in him. It is one of 
 the features of mining life not fully appreciated abroad 
 that the parish priest, while not generally differing with 
 the coal operators in religious belief, shares their confi- 
 dences to an extent which makes him an adviser of both 
 sides. Literally speaking, he is the judge of a conimunity, 
 and is necessarily prudent in his expression and careful in 
 thought. Knowledge being experience, it follows that he 
 who has the experience on both sides holds the best view 
 of the economic question as it applies locally, at least. 
 
 26 
 
AS A STUDENT OF ECONOMICS. 
 
 Up to this period his connection with secular affairs in 
 the labor field was purely local. He was called upon by 
 the laborer who had a complaint to make. The represen- 
 tatives of labor consulted him and asked his advice. The 
 man out of work asked for his assistance in securing em- 
 ployment. He looked after the material as well as the 
 spiritual welfare of the members of his congregation. His 
 good offices were always available to the worthy, and 
 through his influence, succor or wise counsel was secured. 
 These requests brought him in contact with employers. 
 He performed his m.ission zealously in behalf of his pro- 
 tege. The employer, too, appealed to him not infrequent- 
 ly, and the same kindly offices were extended. But if the 
 position as mediator promoted in him the spirit of gentle- 
 ness and pacification, it could not distort his manhood nor 
 dissipate the characteristics of his CeUic nature. In the 
 strife between labor and capital which followed this was 
 well demonstrated, and proved him to be a man of not 
 only excellent judgment but whose resources were surpris- 
 ingly extensive. 
 
 His nature explains much of the aggressiveness and the 
 success with which he handled matters during this excit- 
 ing period. He was not entirely a stranger to the work 
 of leading men, as reference to his efforts in connection 
 with the uniting of the two branches of Ancient Order of 
 alibernians shows. That experience, while not requiring 
 the exercise of functions determining the ways and means 
 for the settlement of a labor dispute in which the elements 
 involved were heterogeneous in character, it did, neverthe- 
 less, serve to aid him. in marshalling his forces for this 
 
 27 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 latest task which he had set for himself. If Father Phil- 
 Hps was intensely American in his mannerisms, he was 
 equally intense in his tendencies towards anything calcu- 
 lated to advance the interests of Irishmen or those of Irish 
 extraction. 
 
 When he determined to unite the Order which had hon- 
 ored him by their implicit faith and confidence, although 
 early in life, he betrayed the disposition which was to come 
 out more prominently in this struggle between capital and 
 labor. He absorbed all of the sympathies of honest and 
 humble Irish parents. The tales of oppression which he 
 frequently heard recited early in life concerning the people 
 of Ireland, made an impression upon his mind and as- 
 sisted in moulding his character. While he was not a 
 dreamer as far as raising Erin's flag was concerned, he 
 saw that as long as her sons in this country were not united, 
 and especially that Society which is the strongest part of 
 her representation in America, there was even less oppor- 
 tunity for anything of value ever being accomplished. He 
 threw his whole soul into the work of harmonizing. He 
 labored day and night, planned, devised, deliberated and 
 thought out the manner in which success was to be achiev- 
 ed. This was a gigantic task. He appreciated it. Some 
 of his interviews published on the labor controversies 
 showed that he had considered it even greater than point- 
 ing a way for the heterogeneous organization of mine work- 
 ers. His movements were full of energy, and in viewing 
 his work in this connection we find much to explain how a 
 parish priest of a country town sprang into the vortex 
 where giants contended, and at critical moments influ- 
 
 28 
 
AS A STUDENT OF ECONOMICS. 
 
 Sliced the outcome. It also explains, in a degree, his 
 bearing upon the economic question, concerning which in- 
 quiry has repeatedly been made by men who have been 
 desirous of doing as he did — to know and aid his fellow- 
 men. Such students of this very important problem can 
 find much in this phase of the life of Father Phillips to in- 
 struct and assist. In human happiness he found his 
 philosophy, and, aided by a profound theological train- 
 ing, he was able to accomplish much. 
 
 ■m 
 
 29 
 
CHAPTER V. 
 
 DEVOTED TO THE CAUSE OF RIGHT HE HELD A MOST UNIQUE 
 POSITION. HIS FIRST ACQUAINTANCE WITH THE OR- 
 GANIZATION OF COAL WORKERS. 
 
 The great strike of anthracite coal miners, which be- 
 gan September 17 and lasted until October 27, 1900, has 
 left memories which will take generations to efface. In 
 this struggle Father Phillips was a conspicuous figure. 
 And, again, in March, 1901, when conditions were threat- 
 ening, he proved to be a central figure and the honest and 
 sincere advocate of labor. It is this feature of his life 
 which has attracted most attention generally. 
 
 How the pastor of St. Gabriel's Roman Catholic 
 Church, Hazleton, became so deeply interested, and how 
 he came to take such a prominent part, are features of 
 the great struggle that have never been explained. At 
 this juncture it is not out of place to refer to the doubt 
 and questions raised at times concerning the real purpose 
 of Father Phillips. When we consider the magnitude of 
 the struggle, the momentous issues, the determination, 
 fierce and unrelenting, and recall the history of former 
 contests of this kind, the most surprising feature of it all 
 is that personal attacks upon leading characters were so 
 few. 
 
 There was but a single instance during the entire cam- 
 
 30 
 
HIS LIBERALITY OF THOUGHT. 
 
 paign where Father PhilHps's position came under censure 
 of the press, and in that instance but a single nev/spaper 
 shared, and that newspaper was the chief and only influ- 
 ential advocate of the corporations, the New York Sun, 
 This attack was due to the refusal of the organ to admit 
 that it was possible for any man or body of men opposing 
 corporation rule to be right. That was its policy, but it 
 shall be treated in its proper place. 
 
 When the Convention of United Mine Workers of 
 America convened in Hazleton, August 13, 1900, indus- 
 trial conditions, in the Lehigh coal fields at least, were 
 comparatively prosperous. The conditions at the mines 
 were better than they had been for years; business in a 
 mercantile way was moving along in an even tenor, and 
 no one in the Hazleton district, outside of possibly a few 
 of the labor leaders, believed that the proposition for a 
 strike would be seriously considered. The delegates and 
 officers were cordially received by the citizens of the city, 
 and but little attention was paid to the early reports. 
 
 On August 14, Father Phillips addressed a letter to the 
 convention in which he expressed his high regard for the 
 coal workers in general, and invited delegates and officers 
 to attend the parish picnic which was to be held next day 
 m the Park. This invitation was accepted by a vote of 
 the Convention and most, if not all, delegates and officers 
 attending the Convention joined the picnickers. Presi- 
 dent Mitchell, National Secretary Wilson, of Indianapo- 
 lis, and others, addressed the people assembled. It was 
 the first time that President Mitchell appeared before a 
 Hazleton audience in public, and he made a strong impres- 
 
 31 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 sion. Father Phillips was greatly struck by the force 
 and eloquence of the labor leader, and formed there an at- 
 tachment for him which was never shaken, even under 
 circumstances that might well be calculated to test the 
 strongest bonds of friendship. They had their differ- 
 ences and were pitted against each other in a most dra- 
 matic if not sensational manner subsequently, but never 
 once did the admiration of Father Phillips so early form- 
 ed for Mr. Mitchell waver. And, considering the cir- 
 cumstances of the meeting and events which were to trans- 
 pire later, the singularity is so striking that the conclu- 
 sion is suggested that between the opening and close there 
 was a strange affinity. It would appear that events be- 
 tween the two periods were fitted into them, and specula- 
 tive argument thus forced out effectually. 
 
 The Convention at its session had fixed upon a wage 
 scale and issued the call for a joint conference on August 
 2y. Then followed a season of calmness for the coal dis- 
 trict, which was to be succeeded by one of doubt, appre- 
 hension and such business prostration as the district had 
 never witnessed. 
 
 As the date set for the joint conference approached and 
 the impression became current that the operators would 
 not meet the delegates, uneasiness began to increase in the 
 public mind. This first began to show itself among the 
 business men, who prompted professional men to advocate 
 pacification and avoidance of trouble. Up to this time 
 talk of a strike had amounted to very little in the Lehigh 
 region. Memory of the awful Lattimer shooting which 
 occurred Friday, September lo, 1897, was recalled, and, 
 
 32 
 
HIS LIBERALITY OF THOUGHT. 
 
 besides this, the experience of other strikes since the dis- 
 astrous struggle of i887-'88 excited a decided opposition 
 to the proposition. Not even the labor leaders seemed 
 favorable to drastic measures. There was, however, an 
 ominous quiet about the hitherto turbulent Honey Brook 
 district, and this seemed to extend its influence to the 
 region. The disposition locally was such that opposition 
 became general. 
 
 It was quite natural that Father Phillips shared this 
 feeling of apprehension. He had not been disposed at 
 first to take any action one way or the other. The current 
 of fear increased in volume and velocity until it became 
 so pronounced that business was prostrated and invest- 
 ments were out of the question. It was this condition 
 finally that appealed to Father Phillips. Taking an ad- 
 vance view of the Convention of United Mine Workers, 
 which was to take place on August 2^, he divined that a 
 strike would take place, and felt convinced that a long and 
 hard struggle would- follow. The scenes of misery, des- 
 titution and starvation common to protracted idleness at 
 the mines he pictured in his own mind. He had reason 
 to believe that the operators would fight to the death. In 
 fact this was the intention of the Lehigh operators, at 
 least. They had always proven hard and vengeful fight- 
 ers, and they openly avowed that they would be so again. 
 That they had lost any of their prestige in the combination 
 of coal interests then newly formed they would not admit. 
 Whether they knew it or not was not a question which 
 occurred to any outsider. Of course, it cannot be said 
 that they did yield because they forced the big carriers 
 
 33 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 to reimburse them by final concessions. No one knew the 
 line of battle contemplated by President Mitchell. All 
 was doubt and fear. 
 
 This was the situation as Father Phillips viewed it. 
 Still, it was not expected that he would take a determined 
 stand for or against a purely business proposition in which 
 many of his own people were directly concerned. 
 
 When on Sunda}', August 26, he made some remarks 
 from the pulpit, pointing out the cause of prevailing ap- 
 prehension. ^'iewi^g the prospective distress which a 
 strike would precipitate, and advising against such meas- 
 ures, attention to him was immediately directed. His 
 remarks were extemporaneously delivered, but they were 
 quickly seized upon by the more active opponents of the 
 strike proposition. The latter were disposed to make the 
 most of this address and. in fact, every business man in 
 the community commended the priest for the stand he had 
 taken. The address really pro^"ed to be the opening gun 
 of the campaign wliich was to be the most eventful and 
 conspicuous of the world's labor movements. 
 
 The address as approved by him was as follows : 
 
 ADDRESS OF FR. PHILLIPS TO HIS FLOCK AT THE EARLY 
 MASS SUNDAY, AUGUST 26. 
 
 "A subject which is attracting widespread attention at 
 the present time, and one that is of particular, yes, of vital 
 interest to you of this community, is the labor problem. 
 Ordinarily, this might not appear to be one for ministerial 
 comment or interference, but the tenor of newspaper re- 
 views at the present time points to tlie possible precipita- 
 
 34 
 
AN INTENSE AMERICAN. 
 
 tion of strife between mine workers and their employers 
 such as may well alarm the community, and attract the 
 attention of all persons who may have any influence in 
 securing an amicable adjustment of such difficulties. 
 
 "I am not in a position to state authoritatively what is 
 being done or what is contemplated by either coal opera- 
 tors or the union which holds a convention here to-mor- 
 row, but if the unusual amount of newspaper comment is 
 to be credited the issuance of an order declaring a strike 
 is imminent. 
 
 "In certain quarters the statement is positively made 
 that there will be a tie-up of this kind, while such serious 
 prospects as the movement embraces are viewed with com- 
 placency; with no apparent regard for conditions that 
 may mean distress, misery and destitution; the stagnation 
 of business and general depression. 
 
 "For my part I cannot look upon such prospects witH 
 indifference: I cannot passively regard a question that 
 so deeply affects the community, and particularly you, the 
 men and wom.en com.posing the congregation of St. Ga- 
 briel's, whose spiritual adviser it is my honor to be, and 
 for whose material advancemicnt I most earnestly hope 
 and would zealously guard. 
 
 "It is. therefore, not only proper, but imperative, that 
 I should interpose at such a time and ask those directly, 
 concerned, are you prepared for a struggle such as reports 
 say is nov\' imminent ? I do not believe you are ; in fact, 
 I know that you are not. This is a question of supreme 
 importance and should be weighed well and calmly before 
 you resolve to enter into such a strife. As with great 
 
 35 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 political movements, so it is with social and economic. 
 A short time ago this country was at war with Spain. 
 That war cost Spain not only the loss of her colonial pos- 
 sessions, but the blood of many of her noblest sons as well 
 as millions in treasure. The misery, suffering and agony 
 it brought to the hearts of Spanish people are equaled 
 -only by their national humiliation and depreciated pres- 
 tige, all because of the lack of preparation and resources, 
 and their refusal to examine into conditions which gave 
 undoubted assurances of defeat, or to treat pacifically the 
 proposals for arbitration which offered hope to an amic- 
 able adjustment. 
 
 "And, as we contemplate this astonishing self-reliance 
 and compare results I am constrained to put these ques- 
 tions to 3'ou, my brethren : 
 
 "Have adequate preparations been made for a struggle; 
 have you looked into conditions which may furnish ad- 
 vance knowledge of results ; can you see no way whereby 
 the issues may be treated pacifically and an amicable so- 
 lution reached without resort to drastic measures? 
 
 ^'I fully realize that there are weighty questions to be 
 adjusted. No one can remain long in the mining commu- 
 nity without noting the causes giving rise to complaint, 
 :and feeling in sympathy with the coal worker. No one 
 "wTio owes his being to a coal miner particularly, can fail 
 ■.to respond in sympathy to the appeals of this class nor 
 to raise his voice when opportunity offers for procuring 
 recognition and relief. 
 
 "My own father was a coal worker, and certainly with 
 the friends of toil my sympathies rest. Some days ago 
 
 36 
 
AN INTENSE AMERICAN. 
 
 this parish held a picnic at Hazle Park and when the del- 
 egates attending the Convention of the United Mine Work- 
 ers were assembled in this city. It was at my invitation: 
 that the officers and delegates fraternized in social inter- 
 course with us, and the multitudes were addressed by 
 them. My purpose was to extend the hand of fellowship- 
 to those visitors who represented a cause we hold in com-- 
 mon, that they might enjoy the outing, and, to be candid,, 
 that we might also profit by their association. In the 
 addresses made by these men the labor situation was ably 
 presented, and with no utterance could the least fault be 
 found. They were the national leaders of organized la- 
 bor, and it was indeed gratifying to note with what in- 
 telligence, acumen and keen analysis the great problem of 
 labor and capital was handled. They most emphatically 
 declared that they were opposed to strikes and that their 
 purpose was not to precipitate a strike of that kind.. 
 These were declarations of leaders and reiterated by men 
 specially honored and selected for the virtues they possess. 
 I take it that these leaders are sincere and more thor- 
 oughly represent the sentiment of organized labor and bet- 
 ter understand the issues than the men so freely quoted" 
 in the newspapers or by the reviewers who are making- 
 such alarming predictions concerning the certainty of a. 
 strike. 
 
 "With the declaration of the leaders to whom I refer,.. 
 I am in full accord, and I say to you, my people, we should 
 do all in our power to prevent such action. But leaders- 
 do not control conventions sometimes, and delegates who 
 weigh not all phases and who may be indifferent to con-- 
 
 37 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 sequences, will throw vote and voice for warfare, thus 
 forcing that which more prudent associates advise against. 
 It is against this contingency I would guard, and if, as I 
 presume there are, members of my congregation present 
 who will sit as delegates in that convention, I most ear- 
 nestly urge them to not only vote against the strike propo- 
 sition, but to exercise all influence in the same direction 
 that they may l)e able to command. 
 
 "During ni}^ twenty-five years in the priesthood I have 
 witnessed many contests of this kind. I know what are 
 the results to the workingman, and the suggestion of 
 such a move now fills me with apprehension. We are 
 now^ enjoying comparative contentment. I know of no 
 destitution in this vicinity, no distress, excepting, possibly, 
 here and there an isolated case where the bread winner of 
 the family has been stricken by misfortune. You are ap- 
 parently enjoying conditions and are well fed. You are 
 clothed respectably and. in fact, I know- of no congrega- 
 tion so large that is better dressed or makes a finer appear- 
 ance collectively. To disturb this condition by striking; 
 to destroy the serenity of the community, would be a dis- 
 aster which excites direct forebodings and urges every 
 man who has the welfare of the community at heart to 
 exercise whatever influence he may have in opposition 
 thereto. That is my position, and in the event of a strike 
 being ordered my endeavor shall be to bring about an ad- 
 justment as speedily as possible, in this region, at least. 
 AVe must remember that there are local conditions which 
 may he susceptible to local treatment, and so it is with 
 other features of this gigantic movement. 
 
 38 
 
AN INTENSE AMKRK'AN. 
 
 "The great American principle on which large ques- 
 tions are^adjusted is arbitration. On this both sides to 
 the controversy agree, but differ as to the method of pro- 
 cedure. The workmen claim the right to send their rep- 
 resentatives to speak for them as attorneys in the case. 
 This seems reasonable, but is not agreeable to the opera- 
 tors, who, as a counter proposal, say "we will treat with 
 employees only." This does not appear satisfactory to 
 the other side. And so the chasm opens. 
 
 "Now, from what I know of the operators in this re- 
 gion, and I know some of them intim.ately, and all favor- 
 ably,' I feel justified in saying that they will do whatever 
 they agree upon. I can only judge these men as I find 
 them, and compare their failings or weaknesses with those 
 of other men. The question then arises, what would you 
 do as an employer if your workmen felt dissatisfied and 
 sent a representative to make known his complaint ? Let 
 me make an illustration. 
 
 'T myself am an employer in a small way. I hire one 
 sexton and two domestics. Would I entertain a com- 
 mittee picked from their acquaintances, but unknown to 
 me, who might come to protest against certain treatment, 
 or demand more pay? Most assuredly not. Can you 
 or I prescribe another course for a neighbor, be he the em- 
 ployer of one man or a hundred, without appearing arbi- 
 trary or inconsistent? We cannot. 
 
 "If the workmen send a committee composed from 
 their own ranks to the operators, state their grievances in 
 a gentlemanly and business-like v;ay, I feel that no em- 
 ployer can decline to hear them. I am inclined to believe 
 
 39 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 that some of their burdens will be relieved at least. But 
 if the operators decline to open their doors, what then — 
 strike? No, emphatically no. Then what? I make no 
 pretensions at solution, but I firmly believe the matter can 
 be safely left to the decree of that just and impartial 
 bar — public opinion. Here credit or censure will be placed 
 where it belongs. If the operators are at fault the decis- 
 ion will be given without hesitation, or if the other side, 
 a like verdict will be rendered. From momentary chaos 
 will come enlightenment and elucidation which must re- 
 sult in a greater degree of prosperity, let us hope, to both 
 employer and employee, for labor and capital, mutually de- 
 pendent, will inevitably rise or fall together." 
 
 P. if 
 
 40 
 
: CHAPTER VI. 
 
 THE miners' convention AND ITS OUTCOME. FATHER 
 PHILLIPS TAKES HIS FIRST ACTIVE MEASURES IN THE 
 LABOR FIELD. 
 
 The Convention opened at Hazleton August 2y, and 
 Father Phillips was in consultation with President Mitch- 
 ell at the latter's headquarters. The pastor of St. Gabriel's 
 Church then threw his whole heart into the work of 
 averting a struggle, as he could not then believe that there 
 was a possible chance of the men winning. He spent a 
 great deal of time at labor headquarters, but it was evident 
 that the sentiment for strike among the delegates was 
 growing, though the influence exerted by the priest was 
 having its effect. He had resolved upon a course of ac- 
 tion, and his sincerity and honesty of purpose greatly im- 
 pressed the leaders themselves. President Mitchell con- 
 ferred with the priest at intervals and, by, his persistence, 
 Father Phillips obtained permission to enter the Conven- 
 tion. This unprecedented concession to an outsider took 
 place late in the afternoon, and when the Scale Commit- 
 tee had about finished their report to be submitted 
 with the resolution that was to declare for a strike. 
 
 Father Phillips had had no time to prepare an address, 
 but he was equal to any emergency of this kind. As an 
 extemporaneous speaker, he had few superiors. An offi- 
 
 41 
 
Lll'li OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 cial report of that meeting was not made public, but it is 
 known that in the face of an overwhelming sentiment for 
 strike he won over not a few delegates, and these in tarn 
 openly supported him on the floor. Some of the delegates 
 naturally regarded the movement as an unwarranted inter- 
 ference, but no one offered the slightest sign of disrespect. 
 The resolutions, as originally taken up, declaring for a 
 strike within the next ten days, were adopted, but this par- 
 agraph was added after the earnest appeal of Father Phil- 
 lips : 
 
 "Resolved, That the Executive Committee be given the 
 power to appoint any committee upon the lines suggested, 
 if they see it will assist in arriving at any fair and amica- 
 ble settlement within the next ten days." 
 
 Tliis also practically committed Father Phillips to ex- 
 ert himself in the effort to bring about a meeting between 
 the miners and operators. He at once set to work trying 
 to bring about the desired end. What he did in this di- 
 rection during the intervening days only himself knew. 
 The light in his little study in the parochial residence burn- 
 ed late night after night, and during the day he w^as con- 
 stantly at work. 
 
 In its report of the decision of the Miners' Convention 
 and the action of Father Phillips, the New York Herald 
 said the following day : 
 
 "To one man, and only one man — the best known and 
 the most courageous Catholic priest in the whole Hazle- 
 ton region — must be given the credit for stopping at least 
 ten days the strike of 143,000 anthracite coal miners. 
 
 42 
 
THE FRIEND OF LABOR. 
 
 The priest is Rev. E. S. Phillips, pastor of St. Gabriel's 
 Church, Hazleton, a man born in the mines, with the in- 
 terests of the miners deep at heart, and at the same time 
 with a breadth of view which enabled him to recognize the 
 rights of all. * * * There have been many victories 
 in peace and war, but the victor)^ of Father Phillips — won 
 single-handed — is the talk of the entire anthracite region 
 to-day from Shamokin to Schuylkill Haven. There may 
 yet be a strike, but it will not occur until various proposi- 
 tions have been made looking to an adjustment." 
 
 Of course, newspaper reports were at the time influ- 
 enced by the individual interests of their owners, but this 
 one is merely taken as an illustration of how one of those 
 supposed to represent the temperate view looked upon the 
 incident. 
 
 Father Phillips had opened communication with the 
 various operators. He felt confident that they could not 
 resist the influence of public opinion that was being excit- 
 ed, and that they would eventually consent to meet the 
 men. He visited different mine owners in the metropo- 
 lis and secured statements from them. These were not re- 
 assuring. The date for definite action on the part of the 
 men w^as approaching, and excitement grew apace with 
 the public. 
 
 On September 2, Father Phillips returned from New 
 York, where he had spent several days endeavoring to 
 reach the operators, and induce some of them to meet the 
 miners in Convention. Upon his return home he gave out 
 this interview^, v/hich shows that he had been working in- 
 dustriously : 
 
 43 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 "Earnest efforts are being made on the part of the 
 Mine Workers and others to bring about a conference of 
 operators and employees, and to pave the way for a friend- 
 ly meeting. I have called on operators and Mine Work- 
 ers in different parts of the region, and while nothing tan- 
 gible was done, yet there appears to be a better feeling 
 all around, which may, it is hoped, remove the cause for 
 strike before the time limit expires. In the meantime, I 
 would suggest to the miners and others the advisability 
 of suspending, as far as possible, the discussion of strikes 
 and their causes until the Executive Board shall have 
 exhausted every eft'ort to bring about the desired end of 
 agitation. This end is not a strike, but the amicable ad- 
 justment of the differences between the Mine Workers 
 and their employers. On the other hand, should our la- 
 bors prove in vain, owing to a final refusal on the part of 
 operators to make concessions, or at least give the miners 
 the hearing they ask, I see no possible means of prevent- 
 ing the declaration of a strike, with all its deplorable 
 evils." 
 
 Father Phillips was betraying the discouragement 
 which refusal of operators to meet the men created. 
 There were statements coming from mine owners' repre- 
 sentatives showing plainly that they intended to defy the 
 efforts of the peacemaker as well as the union leaders. 
 
 The committee of Mine Workers left in Hazleton were 
 in the meantime giving the priest v^'hatever aid they could, 
 and on September 9 the committee, representing the en- 
 tire anthracite field, composed of District Presidents 
 
 44 
 
THE FRIEND OF LABOR. 
 
 Duffy, Nicholls and Fahey, issued the following state- 
 ment : 
 
 "Rev. E. S. Phillips met here to-day with the offi- 
 cers of the Mine Workers of the anthracite mining dis- 
 trict for the purpose of taking action on the proposition 
 submitted by him at the convention held here on the 28th 
 ulto. This was, that a conference be held between the 
 operators of the coal region and a committee composed as 
 follows : Four business men, one from each of the 
 Boards of Trade of Shamokin, Hazleton, Wilkes-Barre 
 and Scranton; two clergymen, one Catholic priest and 
 one Protestant minister; three miners from each of the 
 following anthracite coal regions : Schuylkill, Northum- 
 berland, Lehigh, Wyoming, Lackawanna; two from 
 each region to be union men and one from each region to 
 be a non-union man, and all to be miners at present in 
 the employ of the operators in the regions they represent 
 This forms a committee of eighteen — twelve miners, four 
 business men and two clergymen. The miners and the 
 operators of the region to confer on the questions at is- 
 sue, while the clergymen and business men are allowed to 
 he present throughout the conference to aid in the amic- 
 able adjustment." 
 
 As the days went by and the appeals from the clergy- 
 man received only indifferent notice from the operators, 
 his discouragement became more pronounced, and finally 
 he withdrew, satisfied that the operators did not mean 
 to treat fairly with the men and that he could do no 
 more. 
 
 45 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 In the meantime the Executive Ccmmittee of the Uni- 
 ted Mine Workers of America met at IndianapoHs and 
 issued the order for a strike of antliracite coal workers to 
 take place on Monday, September 17. 
 
 On the preceding Saturday, Archbishop Ryan, of Phil- 
 adelphia, granted an interview to the press representa- 
 tives in that city, which appeared in all metropolitan pa- 
 pers the following Sunday. In it the Archbishop inti- 
 mated that he would accept the responsibility of acting 
 as mediator, and strongly commended Father Phillips 
 for the work he had been doing. He also said that he 
 (Father Philips) would continue his efforts to effect a 
 settlement. This evidence of interest on the part of the 
 Archbishop revived the hopes of Father Phillips. He 
 had already withdrawn, but in view of the endorsement 
 and well-known influence and sagacity of the Philadelphia 
 prelate he took new hope. After a consultation he de- 
 cided to again try to bring about an adjustment, and 
 composed the following telegram which he sent to the 
 Archbishop: 
 
 Hazleton, Pa., September 16. 1900. 
 
 To the Most Reverend P. J. Ryan, D. D., Archbishop of 
 Philadelphia: 
 
 T thank you for offer of assistance and sentiment ex- 
 pressed in to-day's papers. I had retired from the field 
 discouraged, believing that all my resources had been ex- 
 hausted, but now, encouraged by you, I v/ill resume ef- 
 forts. Will see Mr. Mitchell on his arrival to-night, and 
 suggest further appeal by miners to operators through you 
 
 46 
 
THE FRIEND OF LABOK. 
 
 as mediator, acting for public in general. This telegram, 
 made public through the press agency, will also suggest 
 to operators a way out of difficulty that will not include 
 recognition of Union, the chief object to settlement. Even 
 this step may fail, yet the situation, now desperate, de- 
 mands prompt action on our part. Will advise you to- 
 morrow of progress. (Signed) E. S. Phillips. 
 
 A7 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 STRANGE COINCIDENCE THAT LED TO THE JEDDO MEETING 
 AND ITS GENERAL EFFECT. CEMENTED BOND OF 
 FRIENDSHIP BETWEEN PRIEST AND MINE WORKERS' 
 PRESIDENT. 
 
 While the pastor of St. Gabriel's sat in his study on 
 Wyoming street, Hazleton, reading over the interview 
 with Archbishop Ryan, on the veranda of his mansion on 
 West Broad street, in the same city, sat a coal operator 
 contemplating the same statement. This man was Alvan 
 Markle, one of the owners of the Jeddo collieries. Of 
 all the coal interests embraced in that struggle, Jeddo 
 stands out pre-eminently the most prominent. It was 
 the scene of the most unique, if not most sensational, inci- 
 dent of that greatest of mining strikes. In the history 
 of the contest it stands alone as the place where a coal 
 operator and labor leader entered into joint debate, and 
 from the same platform a Catholic priest addressed the 
 multitude. How this meeting came about is none the 
 less interesting, and is a feature of the story that has 
 never appeared in print before. 
 
 It so happened that when the man who had been in con- 
 sultation with Father Phillips concerning the telegram 
 and advisability of again taking up the work of mediation 
 left the pastoral residence to file the telegram addressed to 
 Archbishop Ryan, another messenger had been dispatched 
 
DEBATE WITH MITCHELL. 
 
 by the coal operator for the same individual. When the 
 latter arrived at the coal operator's home, Mr. Markle was 
 surrounded with copies of the various newspapers of the 
 day. He at once explained the object of his having sent 
 for his caller. Taking up one of the papers he read the 
 interview with Archbishop Ryan. He stated that it 
 seemed to him that the proposal of Archbishop Ryan of- 
 fered the way out of the present difficulty. His company 
 was the largest individual coal shipper in the anthracite 
 region, and they stood ready to accept the Archbishop as 
 the arbitrator, if an arbitrator was necessary. On this 
 score he expressed some doubt, as they already had arbitra- 
 tion at their works and were prepared to stand by it. He 
 added, however, that if whatever differences existing at 
 their mines could not be settled between themselves and 
 their men they were satisfied to leave it to arbitration, and 
 if the local arbitrators failed to agree, then they (the com- 
 pany) would agree to accept Archbishop Ryan as the 
 mediator. He then asked if his views could not be con- 
 veyed to Father Phillips. 
 
 Having come direct from Father Phillips, and still hav- 
 ing a copy of the telegram in his possession which was ad- 
 dressed to Archbishop Ryan, and which would be given to 
 the press that evening, the caller felt justified in making 
 known the fact that the priest had resolved to again take 
 up the work of endeavoring to conciliate the elements, and 
 believing, as he did, that this was just the opportunity 
 sought by the priest. It was plain that Mr. Markle desir- 
 ed to avoid trouble, at his mines at least. But since he of- 
 fered to concede the main point at issue — arbitration — 
 
 49 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 there appeared nothing for mediators to do but accept the 
 proposition. Besides this, it seemed to point the way to an 
 amicable adjustment of the difficulty on the eve of the 
 great strike. "If the Markles agreed to arbitrate, others 
 would be compelled to follow their example." was the way 
 the messenger viewed it. and it was certainly with some 
 feeling of gratification that he made known to Father 
 Phillips what the coal operator had said. The priest was 
 elated. He reasoned that it was a long step towards suc- 
 cess. It looked as though the hand of Providence was in- 
 tervening and the settlement for \vhich he had earnestly 
 prayed and ardently toiled was at hand. 
 
 A meeting was arranged and that afternoon Father 
 Phillips met both John and Alvan Markle at the latter's 
 home. The same man who arranged the interview was 
 present at the conference. John Markle did most of the 
 talking, and he repeated with more detail what his brother 
 had said earlier, and which is quoted previously. When 
 Father Phillips left the Markle mansion he was feeling 
 overjoyed. It appeared to him that in face of this propo- 
 sition from the most influential individual operators in the 
 region, and, of public opinion, which was strongly in favor 
 of a joint meeting or arbitration of some kind, the other 
 operators could not refuse to make a like concession. The 
 conference as reported attracted widespread attention, 
 though no one divined what sensational features it was to 
 develop. 
 
 Father Phillips had been thoroughly impressed with the 
 apparent fairness of the Jeddo operators. They were not 
 strangers to him. neither were the towns surrounding 
 
 50 
 
DEBATE WITH MITCHELL. 
 
 their mines. He knew something of the general operation 
 and that there was comparative contentment among the 
 employees. He felt that the operators were the most gen- 
 erous of any he had met, and when an invitation was re- 
 ceived by him to appear at Jeddo, where John Markle was 
 to address his miners and reiterate what he had said in 
 private to Father Phillips, the good priest saw no harm in 
 attending. He was to verify what Mr. Markle had told 
 him. At any rate he did not foresee that his attendance 
 would be a feature of the most dramatic incident of the 
 campaign. It was to be the turning point in the economic 
 view of the parish pastor, the point at which ideas expand, 
 and from the advocate of local issues he was 
 to grasp a problem of general application and to 
 understand how the panacea designed for local 
 ills could be made to act as poison for the largtr and 
 more important body. And we know that the lesson 
 taught on the campus of the Jeddo school that Septem- 
 ber day fell on fertile soil as far as it concerned Father 
 Phillips. 
 
 While John Markle arranged for the meeting to ad- 
 dress his workmen September 19, President John Mitchell 
 saw that he would be obliged to take decisive action if a 
 serious break in the ranks of his army of bread-winners 
 was to be prevented. Contrary to the way the clergyman 
 had looked at it, the leader of the Mine Workers under- 
 stood that by admitting the proposal for arbitration at a 
 local point he endangered his entire line, extending from 
 Northumberland to Lackawanna. In so doing there 
 would be left open a very influential channel for supplying 
 
 51 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 the market, and besides this, the Hnes of the Union itself 
 would be seriously affected. The proposition of the 
 Markles had every appearance of fairness, but it was pro- 
 portionately dangerous to the success of the entire cam- 
 paign, and the labor leader determined to act with strat- 
 egy and energy. There was every reason to believe that 
 had John Markle been permitted to carry out his plans 
 without counter-action on part of the Union, he would 
 have so impressed the workers that nothing could be done 
 that would overcome the effect later on. 
 
 Such was the situation, and President Mitchell resolv- 
 ed to meet it. When the car carrying Father Phillips 
 stopped at Jeddo the meeting was in progress, but it was 
 not being addressed by John Markle. The man on the 
 platform was John Mitchell, President of the United Mine 
 Workers. Father Phillips had not looked for this. 
 Neither had John Markle. Father Phillips looked first 
 amused, then amazed. He had expressed some doubt en 
 route as to the prudence of his going to Jeddo. Mr. Mitch- 
 ell made a very strong plea for unity and for the rejection 
 of the Markle offer. He also touched upon the railroad 
 features of the problem, the discrimination in freight 
 rates and the merciless policy of the coal carriers which 
 made a victim of the small operator as well as the coal 
 worker. He made a good impression on his auditors, and 
 Father Phillips was more dubious than ever about the wis- 
 dom of his appearing at such a gathering. 
 
 After President Mitchell left the platform Mr. Markle 
 mounted it. He had not spoken a dozen words until he 
 was interrupted by hoots, cat calls and derisive yells. It 
 
 52 
 
SENSATIONAL MEETING AT JEDDO. 
 
 was evident that an effort would be made to spoil the ef- 
 fect of his address, if he was to make one at all. These in- 
 dignities were continued with such persistency that even 
 Mr. Mitchell's supporters objected to them. 
 
 All this time Father Phillips stood at the extreme right 
 of the platform and away from the crowd some little dis- 
 tance. If there was anything that appealed to his na- 
 ture strongly, it was fair play. He saw John Markle was 
 making a stubborn and a manly fight for a hearing, but he 
 was not getting treatment that was due a gentleman. He 
 sympathized with the coal magnate as he struggled against 
 the noises on the fringe of the crowd. When, at the con- 
 clusion of Mr. Markle's address, he called Father Phillips 
 to verify what he had told him privately on Sunday re- 
 garding arbitration, Father Phillips responded. 
 
 The appearance of the priest on the platform was per- 
 haps as much of a surprise to many of the spectators as 
 his own discovery of Mr. Mitchell originally, for but few 
 persons had noticed him alight from the car and station 
 himself at the edge of the crowd. He began his remarks 
 with some hesitation ; but as he proceeded and recalled the 
 scenes of unfairness which he had always opposed, he 
 warmed up to his subject and, in the excitement of the 
 moment, he went considerably farther than he had in- 
 tended. 
 
 It is to this incident which Mr. Mitchell refers In his 
 statement published in this volume. There is no doubt 
 had Father Phillips not been present the Union's leader 
 would have carried things by storm, and made subsequent 
 movements in that district much easier. It was evident 
 
 53 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 that Mr. Mitchell was also surprised to find Father Phil- 
 lips pitted against him in that manner. A chain of events 
 in this connection seemed to operate along mysterious 
 lines, bringing about the dual coincidence which could not 
 fail to embarrass. 
 
 At the close of the speech-making the crowd dispersed 
 rather quickly. Father Phillips declined invitations to 
 accompany others away and stood near the spot where he 
 had located himself when he arrived. He was talking to 
 a young man \\hom he knew and who had no particular 
 interest in the proceedings of the day. It was evident 
 that he was thinking deeply, although talking. On the 
 trolley car returning to Hazleton, which was crowded, the 
 priest and labor leader exchanged a few words. In his 
 study later he remarked that Mr. Mitchell told him he did 
 not expect such action from him. He was satisfied that 
 he had acted in an honest and honorable manner, and had 
 no reason to reproach himself, though the difference be- 
 tween a local and general issue he was beginning to see 
 more clearly. A short time afterward he met President 
 Mitchell, and following this interview he better understood 
 the issues and was satisfied that President Mitchell was 
 displaying a generalship that for wisdom and sagacity 
 could not be questioned. He took up the matter along the 
 broader lines, recognizing that the smaller interests must 
 be subordinated to the larger and more important. After 
 this he labored in conjunction with President Mitchell to 
 bring about the meeting of the miners and operators, with 
 Archbisho]) Ryan as the mediator, and did all in his power 
 to effect a seltlement. Toorether thev visited the Philadel- 
 
 54 
 
SENSATIONAL MEETING AT JEDDO. 
 
 phia prelate and other men of influence in the commercial 
 centres of the East. The priest tried to reach the larger 
 operators and to induce them to either yield to the demands 
 of the men or submit a proposition. But they were not 
 3'^^et ready. 
 
 55 
 
CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 HIS STRENUOUS EFFORTS TO BRING OPERATORS AND MINERS 
 TOGETHER. COMES TO AID OF MINE WORKERS AND 
 MAKES THE FIRST PUBLIC APPEAL IN THEIR BEHALF. 
 
 As the strike was now on in full force and the claims 
 of gains by the men or companies were being made alter- 
 nately, interest in the events of each passing day increased 
 throughout the country. Hazleton being the headquar- 
 ters for the leading spirits in the contest, it became virtu- 
 ally the storm centre. While the mines of other districts 
 were shut down tight and no effort was being made to 
 turn a wheel, excitement about the Hazleton district was 
 at times intense. 
 
 During it all Father Phillips remained the one man, 
 outside of President Mitchell, to whom the public looked 
 for some definite information regarding the progress of 
 the strike, or the negotiations that were being made to 
 bring about a settlement. He was importuned day and 
 night by anxious newspaper correspondents for inter- 
 views and for expressions as to the state of affairs. Let- 
 ters and telegrams poured in upon him. Newspapers 
 wired him for an opinion, but he declined to be drawn 
 into the controversy. He did not relinquish his efforts to 
 bring about an adjustment, however, and in every way 
 possible he labored to improve the chances of victory for 
 the men. 
 
 56 
 
STATEMENT FOR THE PRESS. 
 
 On the Sunday following his appearance at Jeddo he 
 took occasion at the early service in St. Gabriel's Church 
 to express his views on the Jeddo situation, although he 
 did not recede from his position as it related to the offer 
 of the operators there. As a teacher of moral truths he 
 fully appreciated that anything he might say in a casual 
 way, or even after deliberation, relative to this matter, was 
 likely to be distorted, and by a hostile press made to appear 
 as a reversal of his former position on the arbitration prop- 
 osition. The difference between a local and a general 
 contest, while admitting of distinction, would be denied 
 by the opposition. He was, therefore, extremely careful 
 of his utterances in this respect, and only once, the occa- 
 sion mentioned, referred to it from the pulpit. He also 
 made a statement for the public which was given to the 
 press on the preceding Saturday night, and which fully 
 explained his position, as it did also the influences which 
 operated to broaden his views on the strike question 
 proper. This statement he had prepared with some care, 
 for, as subsequent events proved, a hostile press endeav- 
 ored to assail him for the apparent desertion of the side 
 which had assumed to hold his entire sympathy and to 
 command his undivided support. The statement best sus- 
 tains his position and was as follows : 
 
 "I quite agree with the various newspaper correspond- 
 ents writing from here that the situation has taken a new 
 phase and is, therefore, less hopeful. If the executive 
 officials of big coal carrying companies have been cor- 
 rectly quoted by to-day's papers, arbitration is no longer 
 a means to the end desired by the general public — namely, 
 
 57 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 a discontinuance of the conflict between labor and capital. 
 This is specially unfortunate at this time, when the light 
 appeared at the window. There is, then, no alternative but 
 a hght to the finish between organized labor and organ- 
 ized capital. Honest effort for peace has been throttled, 
 and, since reason, justice and mercy will not be heard, the 
 operator must either arrogate to himself the title of coal 
 king and sway his sceptre over unwilling subjects, or the 
 miner must meet the issue by renewed efforts to deplete 
 the market by complete prevention of production. 
 
 "This is deplorable, as it would be unnecessary if the 
 operators remembered that public interests demand joint 
 conference or arbitration. and are to be preferred tothepri- 
 vate interests of mine owners. Is there no further way 
 of preventing what now appears to be inevitable? I must 
 confess I see none, unless the meeting between x\rchbishop 
 Ryan, of Philadelphia, and the coal officials in New York 
 proves to be more than as President Olyphant and Presi- 
 dent Truesdale are alleged to have said in an informal 
 conversation on current events. Archbishop Ryan is a 
 man among men, a distinguished patriot and citizen who 
 loves the masses wdthout detracting from usefulness 
 of the classes, who sees in society the dependence of pov- 
 erty on wealth, and the obligations of the rich towards the 
 poor; but who, on the other hand, recognizes in all the re- 
 lations of life that justice and fair play for everybody, 
 rich and poor, employer and employee, are the founda- 
 tions of all prosperity — civic, religious and national. 
 The liand is now writing on the wall the awful responsi- 
 
 58 
 
STATEMENT FOR THE PRESS. 
 
 bility. Whose name shall be written — operator or 
 miner ? 
 
 '*I appeal to men of capital who control the destinies of 
 143,000 miners, and indirectly the happiness of millions, 
 to pause in their determination to crush the hands and 
 hopes of peace raised in prayer. Justice is not always 
 blind, and, despising the god of peace, they cannot with 
 impunity despise the god of war and the god of ven- 
 geance. And, after all, what is there in store for each of 
 us but six feet of ground which will make us all of one 
 size. The blood and wretchedness of Shenandoah, to-day 
 in tears, will cry to heaven for vengeance. Will the 
 warning be heeded ? There is still time for peace, but if 
 war be inevitable and the miner be denied a conference, 
 •denied arbitration, and he must as an American free man 
 -decide for himself and his wretched fireside — then, I say, 
 if he strikes as a unit, making the cause of one the cause 
 of all, may God grant that in the end he will triumph. 
 
 "This is my first jarring tone in all that I have said 
 and done in the unhappy situation. I do not, and never 
 will, recede from the position I publicly took in the labor 
 meeting last Wednesday at Jeddo. G. B. Markle & Co. 
 have taught the miners and operators alike a wholesome 
 lesson of justice and fair play in solemnly professing a 
 determination to adhere to their old agreement with their 
 employees. Ethics, common honesty and public sympa- 
 thy have not been appealed to by them in vain, and to-day 
 they occupy the unique position among coal operators of 
 professing an abiding faith in the principle of arbitration 
 as the safest and surest v/ay of bringing their employees 
 
 59 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 in closest touch and sympathy with them for their mutual 
 interest, and the best interests of the communities centered 
 in and about Hazleton. 
 
 "On the other hand, while I shall always speak of them 
 in accents of praise and shall regard disloyalty to them by 
 their employees as bad faith, most regrettable under the 
 circumstances ; yet, I cannot close my eyes to the fact that 
 100,000 and more of their brothers in toil and struggle 
 jiud fiercest battle, are appealing to them in behalf of a 
 common cause. These men, dealing with less generous 
 and less just employers, cannot rise with the more 
 fortunate at Jeddo. but by force of example grow weak, 
 and on the principle that coal mined at Jeddo and sent to 
 the needy market crying for and demanding fuel, 
 strengthens the hands of the enemy, they must fail if 
 fighting without them. 
 
 "If this be so, and mutual interest demands concerted 
 action, the men of Jeddo, hesitating between honor due to 
 obligation and solemn agreement, as well as affection to 
 kind-hearted employers on the one hand, and allegiance t » 
 the cause of labor and sacrifice for their brothers in mortal 
 conflict on the other, it seems to me that they can best de- 
 cide for themselves what course they must pursue. As for 
 me, my place to-day is, as it always has been, with the 
 .struggling masses, strengthening their relations with 
 classes, directing and leading them in prosperity, not 
 abandoning them in adversity, fighting their battles with 
 them and for them, guiding and guarding them from ma- 
 terial as well as spiritual evil. 
 
 60 
 
STATEMENT FOR THE PRESS, 
 
 "They are the children of labor, now denied a hearing, 
 and since mammon on its throne has closed the doors 
 against peace without dishonor and slavery, I raise my 
 voice for the first time in favor of the strike, and may God 
 bless every man and woman in the land who contributes 
 in any way to its successful issue, which means better food, 
 better clothes and nobler conditions for the men behind the 
 pick and the drill." 
 
 The publication of this statement excited considerable 
 discussion. The opposition to the miners' movements re- 
 garded it as a desertion of their own cause. They had 
 misconstrued the Jeddo meeting by concluding that Father 
 Phillips was unalterably opposed to the advocates of labor. 
 It was nothing more than the renewal of allegiance to the 
 general cause of labor, subordinating the minor issues to 
 the broader field represented in the three anthracite coal 
 districts. But if there were expressions of disapproval 
 made at once by those of the locality who felt displeased, 
 there were others who expected to make it the medium for 
 a general bombardment of the labor cause. With that end 
 in view, the correspondent of the New York Sun, then 
 vigorously championing the cause of the operators, called 
 on Father Phillips a few days later and by insidious inquiry 
 endeavored to have him recount the experiences of the 
 Jeddo meeting. Father Phillips declined positively to be 
 drawn into the controversy or to be made the battering 
 ram for an assault upon labor's battlements. The effort 
 was a failure. The disappointment suffered was after- 
 ward reflected in the assaults made upon the priest. But 
 they fell short in the original purpose, and the intended ef- 
 fect soon dissipated. 
 
 6i 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLII'S. 
 
 The contest was now being waged with vigor on both 
 sides. Several conflicts had taken place, and State sol- 
 diers were kept on the county lines. The Jeddo district 
 continued to be the hotbed for strife among the strikers and 
 workmen who insisted on remaining at the mines. 
 
 On September 28. Father Phillips again visited Phila- 
 delphia and called on Archbishop Ryan. President Mitch- 
 ell was then working in conjunction with the priest in the 
 effort to bring about a settlement. Their efforts continued 
 jointly in this way. Of course, the Union President had 
 other influences at work, but Father Phillips did not 
 cease his individual efforts until the end. When the an- 
 nouncement that hostilities were likely to cease was receiv- 
 ed, it was hailed by no one with greater delight than the 
 pastor of St. Gabriel's. Much had transpired during the 
 campaign in which parties to both sides were concerned, 
 the prudence of which might admit of question. But 
 throughout it all no one could cast the slightest reflection 
 upon the intentions, sincerity, perseverance and effective- 
 ness of the work of Father Phillips. He made sacrifices 
 that were quite extraordinary, and fullv demonstrated that 
 in any movement tending to benefit society in general it 
 would be impossible to find a warmer or more enthusiastic 
 advocate. 
 
 62 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 
 THE SECOND LABOR MOVEMENT. THREATS OF ANOTHER 
 STRIKE. FATHER PHILLIPS DEVISES A PLAN TO MEET 
 THE ISSUES AND SECURE A SETTLEMENT WITHOUT DIS- 
 HONOR TO EITHER SIDE. 
 
 During the months of November and December, 1900. 
 and January and February, 1901, working time at the 
 mines of the anthracite district had been quite satisfac- 
 tory to miners and the business public. As the terms of 
 settlement of the September strike stipulated that the 
 prevailing rates of wages would continue until April i, 
 anxiety again began to manifest itself early in March, 
 and the labor leaders again became active. The coal com- 
 panies were now thoroughly impressed with the strength 
 of the organization which they had so strenuously 0]> 
 posed five months previously. They fully appreciated 
 that something would have to be done on their part, not 
 only to protect their own interests direct, but to meet the 
 demands of that stupendous power — public opinion. 
 This influence, although silent, was a factor that could 
 not be ignored, and, as had been demonstrated, the coal 
 operators were fully alive to its trend. That they had 
 been noting events in a general v/ay was shown on March 
 9., when the larger shippers of anthracite posted notices 
 at their mines informing their employees that the Septem- 
 ber scale v/onld be continued for another year. 
 
 (:3 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 Without regard to the merits of the movement, it un- 
 doubtedly had the effect of complicating matters for the 
 delegates who had already been elected by the various 
 United Mine Workers' locals to attend the Hazleton Con- 
 vention. While granting the monetary demands, it at 
 the same time put in doubt the matter of recognition for 
 the Union, which had been the great bone of contention. 
 It was evident that unless the men accepted this as recog- 
 nition there would likely be friction in Convention, and 
 perhaps result in another declaration of war. The Con- 
 vention opened in Hazleton on March 12, and for four 
 days the delegates discussed the situation. It finally end- 
 ed at noon on Saturday, March 16, with a declaration for 
 strike or recognition by April i. 
 
 The September-October struggles preceding were re- 
 called. Business was again prostrated and uneasiness 
 prevailed throughout the region. During the sessions of 
 the Convention Father Phillips was called upon by many 
 of the delegates at his home, but beyond entertaining them 
 in this way he did not figure in their deliberations. It 
 was after the close of the Convention and the men had re- 
 turned to their homes that the priest began to take an 
 active interest in current events. The headquarters of the 
 Union leaders had been transferred to Scranton and but 
 little outside interest centered in Hazleton. The time for 
 an adjustment was comparatively short. The action of 
 the operators told the observant citizen that they were de- 
 termined not to accord the Union direct recognition. Talk 
 of strike again was taken up and with avidity discussed by 
 the newspapers. Reports from labor headquarters did 
 
 64 
 
THREATS OF ANOTHER STRIKE. 
 
 not show much encouragement for the desired meeting. 
 Business men were again agitated, though no one seemed 
 to think that personally they could be of any assistance in 
 bringing about a conference. 
 
 Not so with Father Phillips. He reasoned that gen- 
 eral apprehension, remaining passive, would be of little 
 value in impressing parties to the momentous controversy, 
 and public opinion in its lethargic state would be impotent. 
 He conceived the idea of instituting a joint movement on 
 part of the Boards of Trade of Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, 
 Hazleton and Pottsville. His purpose in this was to 
 first arouse the public to a sense of the danger menacing 
 the anthracite belt from the Lackawanna to the Northum- 
 herland lines. In this entire territory it was well known 
 that a second strike would be disastrous to general indus- 
 trial conditions, and from it was likely to spring evils that 
 would leave a blighting effect for many years to come. 
 He also felt that as an individual he could do but little to 
 temper public opinion so as to exert the desired influence 
 upon the issues and upon the parties to the contest. Ev- 
 erybody seemed to see and admit the danger, but no other 
 man manifested a disposition to take the initiative. While 
 individual opinions were freely expressed in that vast and 
 important industrial section of Pennsylvania, embracing- 
 ing a million souls at least. Father Phillips was the only 
 private citizen who dared to do. While the parties to the 
 controversy in a direct way were the coal operators and 
 the United Mine Workers of America, the public at large 
 was quite as deeply interested, and in the event of a clash 
 would have as much at stake as operators or miners. A 
 
 65 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 second strike at that time would have paralyzed business, 
 ruined innumerable small tradesmen and depopulated 
 many of the mining towns of the hard coal region. 
 
 It was necessary to introduce that third interest in or- 
 der to force recognition generally, and in that way excite 
 an influence \\'hich would act as a leverage in pressing 
 the demand for an adjustment. Of course, the c[uestion 
 of dignity, sacrifice and settlement without dishonor was 
 not lost sight of. This was a feature of the plan which 
 Father Phillips h.ad in mind when he took the first active 
 steps in the premises. It was the feature wdiich required 
 the handling of a diplomat and the best thought of a prac- 
 tical mind. While polish and elocjuence are good things 
 in approaching the representatives of great organizations, 
 he considered the individual offering a suggestion 
 must have something more substantial than an 
 appeal for generosity or liumanity in order to 
 get attention in a case such as the one in hand. 
 His experience with th.e coal operators during the Octo- 
 ber strike had shown him that while the individual ap- 
 pealing in behalf of society would be entertained and 
 courteously treated, to get results he must have some 
 sort of a business proposition having a means to an end, 
 and that end must operate in no way to the disadvantage 
 of tlie party to v\-hom the proposition is made. 
 
 In the resolutions passed at the Hazleton Convention 
 cf miners. Father Phillips found his proposition. The 
 issue w^as recognition of the Union. The proposition of 
 the coal companies, already published, while not satisfac- 
 
 ' 66 
 
THREATS OF ANOTHER STRIKE. 
 
 tory to the Union in the tacit acknowledgment of its power 
 and demands, gave the peace advocates hope. 
 
 Not caring to trust entirely to his own judgment in tak- 
 ing up the Board of Trade movement, Father Phillips 
 consulted with the President of the Hazleton Board of 
 Trade, L. O. Emm.erich. To that gentleman he explained 
 his views. Mr. Emmerich, who is a mining engineer, and 
 a man of considerable experience, regarded the plans of 
 the priest with favor and assisted him in reaching the 
 Board of Trade representatives in the several cities of 
 the anthracite region. 
 
 While he was at work organizing his movement with 
 these influential bodies, President Mitchell and his ad- 
 visers were endeavoring to reach the operators through 
 their own channels. The published reports at the time 
 were quite discouraging, and each day matters grew ap- 
 parently more threatening. That a strike would take 
 place on April i seemed inevitable. Although there had 
 been comparative contentm.ent among the miners of the 
 hard coal region, it was accepted that, with the issuance 
 of any order from President Mitchell, his army of toilers 
 would respond to a man. The resolutions passed at the 
 Convention, while divided on the matter of final disposi- 
 tion, were sufficiently emphatic for recognition of the 
 Union that nothing short of a conference between Union 
 representatives and coal operators would avert a strike. 
 The industrial world was interested in this contest. Many 
 of the operators who submitted to the public interviewer 
 declared that there could not possibly be a conference 
 such as the men demanded. Notices received by Presi- 
 
 67 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 dent Mitchell from two corporations offered little encour- 
 agement, and speculative opinion tended towards strike. 
 
 During this time Father Phillips was quite optimistic 
 in view. Again and again he said there would be no 
 strike, but when pressed for his reasons he declined to 
 give them. There were others, of course, who declared 
 there would be no clash on April i between capital and la- 
 bor; but no intelligent reason therefor w^as vouchsafed. 
 The situation did not seem to warrant any confidence in 
 such predictions. The statements made by President 
 Mitchell were in no way promising. 
 
 Father Phillips was all this time busily engaged pre- 
 paring for the movement of the Boards of Trade. This 
 work was being conducted quietly. It became public 
 first through the Scranton end. On the 21st Father Phil- 
 lips, in referring to the joint movement, made this pub- 
 lic explanation : 
 
 "The presidents or secretaries of the Boards of Trade 
 of Scranton, Wilkesbarre, Pottsville and Hazleton were 
 to meet in New York to-morrow and call on Bishop Pot- 
 ter and Archbishop Corrigan, who, I have the assurance, 
 would call on J. P. Morgan ; but to-day I was in commu- 
 nication with a member of the firm of J. P. Morgan & 
 Co. and was informed that that gentleman was in the 
 South and would not return till next week. However, 
 I have been placed in communication with Mr. Morgan 
 and will try to reach him at once with the view of mak- 
 ing an appointment upon his return. Until then we can- 
 not do anything, and the Boards of Trade have been so 
 notified to postpone the trip. 
 
THREATS OF ANOTHER STRIKE. 
 
 "This committee will be a third party and will repre- 
 sent public interests. We are not going to make the visit 
 for the purpose of dictating the policy to be pursued by 
 Mr. Morgan, but to explain the sentiments of the pub- 
 lic." 
 
 This statement gave the first definite public informa- 
 tion of the work and purpose of the priest. In discussing 
 the project with a caller at his home on South Wyoming 
 street, he made his views clearer and the manner in which 
 he hoped to reach the controlling figure, Mr. J. P. Mor- 
 gan. His remarks on this occasion were substantially as 
 follows : 
 
 "There is nothing further to be said about the matter 
 until I hear from Mr. Morgan. I am, however, suffi- 
 ciently confident of the outcome of our visit to say without 
 hesitation that I believe implicitly in its success. Our 
 duty in the premises is not to discuss the points in conten- 
 tion, but to bring capital and labor together in a way that 
 must prove satisfactory to the mine workers and will not 
 be objectionable to the operators. How this will be 
 done is our little plan, which might not, of course, be as 
 easy as I think, yet its simplicity and effectiveness will, I 
 am sure, commend itself to Mr. Morgan and the operators 
 as well as the mine workers. The technical objection 
 to recognition, the real difficulty, will be overcome with- 
 out being destroyed. The proposition we will make to 
 Mr. Morgan, by way of a suggestion, of course, will open 
 the door to amicable settlement, and we will trust to Mr. 
 Morgan and Mr. Mitchell to do the rest. One thing the 
 public can rest assured of, while we recognize the power 
 
 69 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 of appeal and the force of sympathy and influence at our 
 command in New, York, we will approach Air. Morgan, 
 not as dreamers, relying on the gospel of humanity, but 
 as business men, and with a business proposition which 
 I am confident will meet not only his approval, but also, 
 which is of \'ital importance, the approval of the operators 
 and mine workers, who, I take it for granted, are sincere 
 when they say they are desirous of avoiding a strike. In 
 the event of a delay in Mr. Morgan's return to New York, 
 as time is now pressing, I may go there, and, through the 
 courtesy of his firm, get in touch with him through the 
 long distance telephone, and subm.it my plan or proposi- 
 tion. Should I fail in that, I will call upon the coal 
 presidents in New York whom I met last fall, and who 
 cannot have disagreeable recollections of my visit. It 
 is the duty of every man of any responsibility to do what 
 lie can to avert public calamity. I have had no little 
 share in doing it before, and surmounted greater difft- 
 culties than the one now confronting us, and with God's 
 lielp I will devote every energy to the task in hand, not 
 -for the sake of labor alone, for that would be mere dem- 
 agogy, but also for the protection of capital, on which 
 labor must at all times depend, but more especially for 
 the great wide public of every craft and industry, now 
 absolutely at the mercy of the operators and mine work- 
 ers, glaring at each other through a picket fence. Some- 
 body must open the gate, and I will be greatly disap- 
 pointed if we fail to open it in a week. I am, of course, 
 presuming on the sincerity of the operators and mine 
 workers. The insincerity of either will defeat our plans. 
 
 70 
 
THREATS OF ANOTHER STRIKE. 
 
 In any case we will put it to the severest test and make 
 it clear to the whole public where the responsibility will 
 rest if, in spite of reason, justice and mercy, a strike be 
 declared, with its untold evils." 
 
 When this statement was made Father Phillips had 
 just left the telephone over which he had been in com- 
 munication with the office of J. P. Morgan & Co., in 
 New York. His business with Mr. Morgan was ex- 
 plained to the gentleman at the distant end of the line 
 who was a member of the firm. While the proposition 
 which he desired to lay before Mr. Morgan was not ex- 
 plained in detail, the treatment accorded the priest gave 
 him assurance that he would be accorded a hearing in 
 person. He naturally felt elated, and it was with confi- 
 dence that he spoke of the prospective outcome. He was 
 instructed to submit the nature of his business with Mr, 
 Morgan in writing, which suggestion was followed. 
 
 71 
 
CHAPTER X. 
 
 THE PARISH PRIEST MEETS THE GREAT FINANCIER. HIS 
 HOPES FOR PEACEFUL SETTLEMENT AND BETTER RELA- 
 TIONS BETWEEN LABOR AND CAPITAL STRENGTHENED. 
 
 While Father PhilHps was arranging to meet Mr. Mor- 
 gan, President Mitchell and his associates of the United 
 Mine Workers had already gone to New York. It was 
 feared for a time that a series of independent movements 
 would bring about a collision Avhich might interfere with 
 the outcome. Father Phillips was not acquainted with 
 the plans contemplated by President Mitchell, and for a 
 time he hesitated, fearing that possibly his move would 
 retard the progress of the labor leader. On March 25, 
 Father Phillips received a special delivery letter through 
 the New York office of J. Pierpont Morgan & Co., stating 
 that Mr. Morgan would see his committee on the 27th, be- 
 tween I and 3 p. m. Up to this time nothing definite had 
 been announced by the labor leaders, though a series of 
 movements had taken place. 
 
 It was now necessary for the priest to get his commit- 
 tee together. It soon became evident that the proposi- 
 tion which at first met with general approval was not to 
 be carried out so easily. When it came to summoning 
 the committee, members were otherwise engaged. Fa- 
 ther Phillips went to New York on the 26th, placing the 
 work of gathering a delegation to follow later, in the 
 
THE PRIEST AND THE FINANCIER. 
 
 hands of the Secretary of the Hazleton Board of Trade, 
 A, T. MacAlHster. They had arranged to meet in the 
 Astor House, New York, next day. 
 
 Upon his arrival in New York, Father PhilHps found 
 the labor leaders and conferred with them, so that they 
 might work in harmony. Next morning Messrs. A. T. 
 MacAllister and William Lauderbach, representing the 
 Hazleton Board of Trade, arrived at the Astor House, 
 v/here they met Father Phillips. The appointment with 
 Mr. Morgan was for i 130 p. m. The Pottsville delega- 
 tion had started for the metropolis over another route 
 and it was noon before they arrived. The fear that this 
 delegation would not reach there in time considerably 
 worried the priest during the morning. He remarked to 
 a member of the committee that his motives seemed to be 
 misconstrued and he felt discouraged. He also made the 
 prophetic remark that it would be the last time on which 
 he would undertake a work of that kind. 
 
 At noon J. H. Zerbey, President of the Pottsville Board 
 of Trade, and W. L. Marquardt, of the same city, ar- 
 rived. The appearance of the Pottsville gentlemen great- 
 ly pleased the priest and he expressed his appreciation. 
 A meeting was at once held by the committee. Father 
 Phillips was made Chairman and the situation was dis- 
 cussed and plans outlined. 
 
 At I 130 o'clock the committee called at the office of J. 
 P. Morgan & Co., No. 23 Wall Street. They were then 
 informed that Mr. Morgan would confer with them at 
 3 130 o'clock. In the meantime various stock rumors 
 were circulated, and among these was one stating that 
 
 73 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 the financier had declined to meet the committee of busi- 
 ness men from tlie coal regions. This was for effect on 
 the market. The visitors were then hovering about the 
 money centre of the country and considerable excitement 
 prevailed. From the time of their arrival in New York 
 until they left the office of J. P. Morgan & Co., they were 
 pursued by an army of newspaper correspondents, 
 artists, specialists, Bohemians and Philistines. When 
 they made their appearance on Wall Street the country 
 priest and his little band of followers became the centre of 
 attraction. While it does not take much ordinarily to 
 attract a Gotham crowd, the vicinity of the world's finan- 
 cial centre does not often present a scene where curiosity 
 supersedes speculation and the Exchanges are deserted 
 for a glimpse of countrymen. That is what happened on 
 this occasion. From old Trinity Church, on Broadway, 
 great crowds of men jammed Wall Street as far as the 
 Morgan's office, and the police had no little difficulty in 
 making an opening for traffic. The committee was fol- 
 lowed to the door of the banking house and here further 
 progress of the curious was barred. 
 
 The interview lasted for about fifteen minutes. The 
 Pennsylvanians with other visitors had taken seats in the 
 reception room to w^ait the convenience of Mr. Morgan. 
 Although there were many persons there ahead of them, 
 all anxious to get a minute with the modern Croesus, some 
 of whom had been waiting the greater part of the day, 
 the committee had been there but a short time when a 
 gentleman appeared in the door leading from the private 
 apartment. He made a hasty survey of his callers and at 
 
 74 
 
THE PRIEST AND THE FINANCIER. 
 
 once picked out the gentleman of clerical garb as the coal 
 region priest. He walked straight over to Father Phil- 
 lips and his party, greeted them cordially and conducted 
 them into his private office. 
 
 Just what transpired at this meeting was never made 
 public. Father Phillips saw at once that the financier was 
 not ignorant of the situation in the mining region, and he 
 was thus enabled to submit his proposition without waste 
 of time. Mr. Morgan, too, appreciated that he was con- 
 ferring with a man who was capable of viewing things 
 between the two extremes, and was frank in his expres- 
 sions of good will and kindly disposition towards the suc- 
 cess of the project in hand. When leaving the office Fa- 
 ther Phillips and his friends were conducted to the street 
 through a rear door, and in that way managed to escape 
 the crowds of men who had been waiting for their reap- 
 pearance on Wall Street. When they reached the hotel, 
 however, they found that the newspaper correspondents 
 bad preceded them, for they had already collected there 
 in large numbers. 
 
 To give out a statement of some kind was necessary. 
 It was then too late for stories floated for speculative pur- 
 poses to have any serious effect on the market for the day. 
 The committee held another meeting and decided to is- 
 sue a brief statement, which explained how they regarded 
 the interview and its possible outcome. The statem.ent 
 was as follows : 
 
 "Mr. J. P. Morgan received our committee most cor- 
 dially, and assured us that he Vv^ill do all in his power to 
 make our mission of peace successful." 
 
 75 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 All attempts to have the priest repeat the conversation 
 with Mr. Morgan failed, but he later gave an explanation 
 from which it might be inferred. This was as follows: 
 
 "The threatened strike in Eastern Pennsylvania will 
 not, in my opinion, occur. Thanks to the genius and 
 diplomacy of President Mitchell and the friendly offices 
 and the all-powerful influence of J. P. Morgan, a basis 
 for future harmony has been reached without the least 
 friction. 
 
 "Our conference with Mr. Morgan satisfied him, us 
 and the public. We regard it as an historical link between 
 capital and labor, which, I hope, will remain unbroken. 
 My dream has been finally realized in the mastery of in- 
 tellect over force as representing the selfish policy of em- 
 ployer and the resort to war by the employee. 
 
 "Time has wrought wonders in the labor world, effect- 
 ing a happy condition impossible half a year ago. Then 
 Mr. Mitchell and the United Mine Workers were prac- 
 tically strangers in Northeastern Pennsylvania and New 
 York. Now Mitchell's name is synonomous in Wall 
 Street with conservatism and safe leadership. A confi- 
 dence has been established in the labor organization 
 which must eventually convince the individual operators 
 of the value of joint conference in time of peace to pre- 
 vent war." 
 
 The following day President Mitchell and the district 
 officers who accompanied him left New York for Wilkes- 
 Barre. Father Phillips went with theni. They were 
 met in the Luzerne shire town by an enthusiastic throng 
 
 76 
 
[THE PRIEST AND THE FINANCIER. 
 
 of citizens. A Convention had been called, which was to 
 be attended by, the members of the Executive Committee. 
 No definite information had yet been given out, and Pres- 
 ident Mitchell steadfastly refused to discuss the question. 
 
 Father Phillips remained in Wilkes-Barre until after 
 the meeting adjourned, when the announcement was made 
 that the terms of the operators would be accepted by the 
 United Mine Workers, and peace and uninterrupted in- 
 dustrial conditions in the anthracite coal fields for one 
 year at least were assured. 
 
 Father Phillips felt jubilant over the outcome. A 
 clash between the coal worker and operator had been 
 averted. What he had done towards securing a peaceful 
 settlement gave him no concern. While gratified with 
 the immediate outcome, he felt satisfied that for the future 
 it had greater significance. What assurance he had for 
 forming a conclusion in this respect only himself knew. 
 He had faith in a joint conference, and that it would be 
 accepted by operators ultimately he fully believed. 
 
 The following view of the general situation and his 
 estimate of the parties to the controversy given by him af- 
 ter the decision of the Executive Board was made public, 
 shows that he held a bright view of the future : 
 
 "Thank God the suspense is now over ! I congratulate 
 the United Mine Workers on the splendid impression sus- 
 tained during the past year and now confirmed, which 
 will bind the whole public to them in gratitude and future 
 support. Personally, I congratulate President Mitchell 
 on his statesmanlike handling of the grave problem of ad- 
 
 77 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 jiistment since the Hazleton convention. The operators 
 must now reahze that the miners have piaced at the helm 
 rjien who are worthy of respect and confidence, and wlio, 
 while contending for fair and equitable treatment in the 
 conduct of mining, demand only the right due intelligent 
 labor. 
 
 "Joint conference is but delayed and the prejudice of 
 years which denied to the miner the right to value his la- 
 bor is fast disappearing in the dawn of a new era. when 
 operator and miner, having mutual interest in humming 
 collieries and loaded cars from mine to tidewater, will 
 safeguard the capitalist who invests, the workman who 
 produces and the public depending on both. Tliis safe- 
 guard I believe to be some method of joint conference ac- 
 ceptable to both. Its coming is near and sure. 
 
 "The best auspices of its success and permanency is the 
 belief that it will be welcomed by the operator as the sur- 
 est protection for investment and industry. The value of 
 the United Mine Workers' organization will be best evi- 
 denced in the power and authority which can not only sus- 
 pend work for a cause, but can prevent and will prevent 
 the stoppage of w-ork or strike without cause. Thus will 
 strikes be rare and never without a cause. It is for this 
 the mine workers are contending and the benefit which 
 will be derived will be shared by operator, miner and pub- 
 lic alike. Again and again. I say that the decision of the 
 national and district officers delights me beyond expres- 
 sion and will gladden the hearts and homes of a million 
 people towards whom the arms of a prosperous year are 
 widely extended." 
 
 78 
 
THE PRIEST AND THE FINANCIER. 
 
 Since the settlement of the latest labor difficulty in 
 190 1 considerable speculation has been indulged in re- 
 gardrng the interview between Father Phillips and J. P. 
 Morgan, and the influence that he exercised on the set- 
 tlement of the strike. After his return home Father 
 Phillips frecjuently referred to the occasion, but . at no 
 time did he attempt to take credit for having brought 
 about a meeting between President Mitchell and repre- 
 sentatives of the Morgan interests. It Vvas held by some 
 enterprising speculators that a man, said to be the son of 
 Mark Hanna, but who was reall}' John Mitchell, was in 
 attendance at the conference, and that question was asked 
 Father Phillips, but to such inquiries the priest merely 
 smiled. He at no time took credit to himself for the 
 meeting or the circumstance which was regarded as tant- 
 amount to a recognition of the Union. In fact, this was 
 secondary, since the great desideratum., a settlement of 
 the difficulty, had been arrived at. 
 
 Father Phillips had not engaged in the Vv^ork of ad- 
 justment with the view of profiting himself in any way 
 whatever. Fie was guided solely by the principle which 
 prompts sacrifice of self for humanity. To promote the 
 welfare and happiness of society was with him a cardinal 
 principle, and where the exigency demanded a sacrifice he 
 vvas always ready to make it. No matter what was the 
 direct influence that induced Mr. Morgan to assure the 
 priest that he would "do all in his power to make the 
 mission of peace successful," the fact that public opinion 
 had been excited principally through the efforts of the 
 pastor of St. Gabriel's Church, Hazleton, v\'ill remain as 
 an evidence of his sagacity, genius and far-seeing qual- 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 ities. Had the public remained passive, and had no ef- 
 fort been made in the September or March contests to 
 arouse this power, the chances for adjustment would 
 have been more remote, and public and private losses cor- 
 respondingly greater. In its issue of April i the Phila- 
 delphia Ledger gave Father Phillips full credit as being 
 the medium by which satisfactory terms for settlement 
 were arrived at, and the sole influence by which the 
 anthracite coal belt was saved from the rigors and dis- 
 tress of another strike. Other editorial writers took a 
 like view and gave him unstinted praise for his work, and 
 the laboring world joined in the plaudits of the press. 
 In this latest movement there had been no mistakes and 
 no one would attempt to deny the brilliancy of the man 
 nor the earnestness and devotion with which he worked 
 for the cause of humanity. He had achieved such a 
 measure of success that falls to but a few men, and yet 
 it was but a fraction of the good work that he had mapped 
 out for himself, and would, had God spared him, have 
 carried to a finish with even greater benefit to the public 
 and distinction to himself as a citizen, a man and the ser- 
 vant of God. 
 
 80 
 
CHAPTER XI. 
 
 TIIS EFFORTS FOR HARMONY AND IN BEHALF OF LABOR 
 SHOW RESULTS AFTER DEATH. 
 
 That the work done by Father Phillips as a peace- 
 maker in life will continue to show good results far into 
 the future, there is every reason to believe. The first 
 direct and open instance of this is furnished by the settle- 
 ment of the several law suits which had been pending in 
 the Lackawanna County Courts between John Mitchell, 
 President of the United Mine Workers of America, and 
 other officials, and Richard Little, editor of a weekly 
 newspaper published in Scranton. Now that a settle- 
 ment of a difhculty that at one time threatened serious 
 effects has been made, it is meet that the influence exert- 
 ed by Father Phillips in this direction be made known. 
 In view of the fact that only Father Phillips's connection 
 Avith the first efforts for peace were made public the occa- 
 sion for a full explanation is emphasized. 
 
 During the period of labor troubles the Scranton editor 
 criticised a number of the officials of the United Mine 
 Workers. His strictures were first resented mildly, 
 then openly and emphatically. There were accusations of 
 one kind or another until finally there developed a war- 
 fare that threatened to destroy character, business and 
 
 everything that interfered with the principals. During 
 
 8i 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 the Convention of United Mine Workers, held in llazle- 
 ton, a resolution was passed, resenting- the assault. This 
 added fuel to the flames, and the attacks which had up to 
 this time been almost exclusively devoted to local leaders, 
 were directed towards President Mitchell. The feeling- 
 thus developed was \'ery bitter. To all friends of labor 
 it was the cause of much pain. Some of those leaders 
 were arrested, charged with conspiracy, and, as the 
 Cjuarrel continued, reflections on the national officers of 
 the organization were being made more pointedly. 
 
 After the meeting of Father Phillips with Mr. J. P. 
 Morgan in New York, and the offer of the coal compan- 
 ies had been accepted by the Executive Committee of 
 United Mine Workers, President Mitchell addressed a 
 letter to Father Phillips. In it he called attention to a 
 personal attack made upon him in the Scranton paper. 
 He construed it to be an effort to excite a religious preju- 
 dice and in that way promote strife within the Union of 
 which he was the leader. In concluding this letter he 
 asked Father Phillips, if he did not deem it unwise, to 
 write a statement for publication which would show that 
 the insinuations made in the paper were unjust, and that 
 their personal relations were such as to make the attack 
 unvv'arranted. 
 
 Father Phillips had not seen the paper, nor had he 
 heard of the article referred to until he received this letter. 
 He, therefore, could make no reply at the time, but ex- 
 pected that copies of the publication would be sent him. 
 In view of the nature of the controversy and the vindictive 
 spirit manifested, it appeared to those who counselled 
 
RESULTS OF HIS EFFORTS. 
 
 with the priest that to become in any way a participant 
 would be injudicious. After the lapse of some ten 
 days copies of the papers were sent to Father Phillips. 
 He appreciated that President Mitchell had reason to 
 feel keenly the reflections upon his character as a man, and 
 his fealty to the United Mine Workers' organization. His 
 high regard for President Mitchell could not be shaken 
 by such attacks and he wanted to assist him. He did not 
 know Editor Little, nor anything of the differences be- 
 tween the editor and the labor leaders. He saw in the 
 affair a menace not only to official usefulness, but to labor 
 itself, and reasoned that no good could come from it for 
 the men directly interested, nor to the members of the la- 
 bor organization. The editor of the paper had already 
 been held for libel on a warrant issued at the instance of 
 President Mitchell. Even though the man would be 
 convicted in Court, this, to his mind, would be small sat- 
 isfaction for the wrong done individuals and the dissen- 
 sions which were likely to be promoted by a continuance 
 of hostilities. At the same time his position as a priest 
 made interference a very delicate matter. This he fully 
 understood. He had M^ritten a letter to be sent to the 
 Scranton editor and was holding it under advisement 
 when a caller who read the offensive article while waiting- 
 in the priest's study remarked that the publisher appar- 
 ently would not resent peace overtures. This idea at 
 once decided Father Phillips. He wrote an addition to 
 the original letter, advancing the spirit of conciliation^ 
 and suggesting that since the editor claimed to be the 
 friend of labor while attacking its acknowledged cliam- 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 pions, a continuance of such warfare would operate to 
 the detriment of organized labor. 
 
 This letter only showed Father Phillips's view at the 
 time. It was not understood that he had been asked to 
 take part in the controversy, and for that reason his com- 
 munication was then regarded by some as an interfer- 
 ence. The letter in the main was a reiteration of his high 
 regard for President Mitchell and his absolute neutrality 
 where religious questions developed between members or 
 branches of the organization which he represented. The 
 communication appeared in the issue of the paper April 
 14, the concluding paragraph of which was as follows : 
 
 "In all fairness, is there not some way for reconcilia- 
 tion ? You have done yeoman service for the miners in 
 the past and I fear that the present ugly friction will work 
 them great harm. You place the responsibility on the 
 Mine Workers' officials ; they hold you responsible. Be 
 that as it may, the aspect is, to say the least, disheartening 
 to those who foresee nothing but harm to the interests of 
 labor in unseemly public quarrel. Nothing, in my opin- 
 ion, is gained by pillorying the leaders or sending you to 
 jail. Again I say, is there no way for reconciliation and 
 harmony? So much has been said and written about 
 conference initiated by them and by you without effect 
 that I am inclined to think there is lack of sincerity some- 
 where. Can I be of any service to you ? I feel kindl)^ 
 most kindly, to both sides, you and them, and neither can 
 ongood ground reject my friendly offices, if the quarrel 
 has not gone too fcir. I do not think so ; a disagreement. 
 however bitter, can never reach that point where contin- 
 ... 84 
 
RESULTS OF HIS EFFORTS. 
 
 ued war is preferable to peace. What is a little humilia- 
 tion on each side, or the sacrifice of a little pride, in com- 
 parison with public antagonism which has already work- 
 ed incalculable mischief to organized labor? I do not 
 regard the present attitude of either, but am mindful of 
 past services which, in common with all right thinking- 
 men, I desire with all my heart to see resumed in labor's 
 camp, so that as brothers you may again work together for 
 the same cause of uplifted humanity. I am yours to com- 
 mand, E. S. Phillips.'' 
 
 Upon receipt of this letter Editor Little visited Hazle- 
 ton. He had previously called his friendly correspond- 
 ent by telephone and made an appointment. Father Phil- 
 lips was for peace. While he urged a withdrawal, he 
 could not speak for President Mitchell, though he felt 
 justified in asking that a week's time be allowed until he 
 could place himself in communication with President 
 Mitchell, who had gone to his home in Indianapolis. In 
 the next issue of the paper appeared the letter of Father 
 Phillips. All caustic references to the labor leaders were 
 eliminated in that issue. It was plain that the good 
 offices proffered by the priest were welcomed by the 
 editor. 
 
 In the course of the following week a letter from Pres- 
 ident Mitchell arrived which showed that then he was not 
 in the mood for com-promising. But the peacemaker did 
 not despair. As he had then become a party to the con- 
 troversy he decided to persevere in his efforts for a settle- 
 ment of the difficulty. 
 
 85 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 While the desire for satisfaction in cases of this kind 
 is a difficult matter to resist, when the true circumstances 
 of the case are understood President Mitchell will be 
 given credit for having acted generously and prudently 
 for the best interests of the organization lie has so ably 
 led thus far, and in the sacrifice which he makes he adds 
 another sprig to the wreath which his successful efforts 
 in the cause of humanity has bestowed. Although a 
 matter apparently between but two men, its bearing upon 
 the larger interests of organized labor was none the less 
 pronounced, and it was this fact which inspired Father 
 Phillips to take the initiative, and pave the way for the 
 amicable adjustment which has, since his death, taken 
 place. 
 
 President Mitchell's Estimate. 
 
 Upon the announcement of the death of Father Phil- 
 Sips, John Mitchell, President of the United Mine Work- 
 -ers, when asked for an expression of his regard for the 
 priest, made the following statement : 
 
 "Father Phillips, as I knew him, was one oi the most 
 earnest advocates for v/hat he believed to be right that I 
 have ever known. He always tried to be on the miners' 
 side, as I saw it. He rendered the miners invaluable as- 
 sistance during the great strike and afterward, up to 
 the time of his disappearance. 
 
 "During the strike, when he became convinced that 
 my policy in prosecuting the strike was the best one, he 
 publicly declared his adherence to the cause and gave 
 his unqualified indorsement, taking the most active in- 
 terest in carrying forward the work. 
 
 "He was a man of medium height, compactly made, 
 athletic, very quiet in his movements. He had a kindly 
 and gentle face, a Christian face, a face that without a 
 
 86 
 
JOHN MITCHELLS ESTIMATE. 
 
 lainisterial garb v/ould indicate that he was a clergy- 
 man. His complexion was fair. He had considerable 
 color in his cheeks and very large, dark eyes. I never 
 saw a man of clearer eyes. As a speaker I have cause 
 to have it indelibly imprinted on my memory that he 
 was a man of unusual power; this because of an inci- 
 dent that occurred during the crucial period of the 
 strike. 
 
 "The Markle Company had proposed what, in my judg- 
 ment, was a fake arbitration with its men. I had ad- 
 Tised the men not to accept. A mass meeting of Mar- 
 lile's employees, about 4,000 in number, was called. The 
 meeting was held, the men being adaressed from the 
 porch of a school house. I spoke to the men, advising 
 the course I believed best for them to pursue. Mr. 
 Markle then spoke, presenting his side of the question 
 with some effect. He then called on Father Phillips 
 to fortify the statements he had made. Father Phillips, 
 believing the interests of the men would be best served 
 by accepting the Markle proposition to arbitrate, made 
 a most eloquent appeal. 
 
 "He swayed that great audience wonderfully. He 
 turned them all his way by his eloquence, the magic 
 of his voice, his well chosen words and the plausible 
 arguments he advanced. They all seemed as he ended 
 his speech to be with him. I followed him and pre- 
 sented the miners' side of the case. 
 
 "The next day Father Phillips came to me. He had 
 thought the matter over, and came to my view of the 
 case. He invited me to go with him to Archbishop 
 Ryan in Philadelphia and ask the Archbishop to act 
 as arbiter for the 140,000 idle men in the entire anthra- 
 cite coal strike. My position was that arbitration 
 should embrace all the companies and all the men pro- 
 ducing coal in the anthracite field. In presenting the 
 miners' side to the Archbishop, Father Phillips sup- 
 ported my arguments, and ever after we have been 
 warm, personal friends 
 
 87 
 
CHAPTER XII. 
 
 FATHER PHILLIPS UNDERTAKES THE WORK OF REUNIT- 
 ING THE IRISH FACTIONS AND PAVES THE WAY FOR EF- 
 FECTIVE WORK IN THE ENGLISH PARLIAMENT. IN- 
 TRODUCTORY REVIEW. 
 
 In his efforts to advance the interests of the Irish race. 
 Father PhiUips performed a work that will live long af- 
 ter the memory of his achievements in other directions 
 shall have passed to oblivion. In uniting the two 
 branches of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in America, 
 restoring unity, and by it facilitating concerted action in 
 Ireland, placing her champions in position to press her 
 claims in the English Parliament for justice and a meas- 
 ure of fair treatment in general legislation, he performed 
 a service that places his name among the leading advo- 
 cates of Home Rule, liberty and humanity, ranking him 
 with the devoted and self-sacrificing patriot, Charles 
 Stewart Parnell, frequently referred to as the "Un- 
 crowned King." Had the forum been the scene of such 
 signal labors no doubt a better general knowledge of his 
 success and sacrifices would prevail. His work was 
 done quietly, but no less effectively, and events have 
 since demonstrated not only the wisdom of his efforts, 
 but also the immeasurable benefit to the Irish races on 
 both sides of the Atlantic. 
 
 88 
 
HIS WORK FOR THE IRISH RACE. 
 
 While he was not an Irishman by birth, he was no less 
 devoted to the cause of Ireland. The history of the 
 birthplace of his parents was to him an inspiration for ac- 
 tion. The tyranny from which the people of that un- 
 happy island suffered appealed to his sympathies and ex- 
 cited the desire to do something that would aid in bring- 
 ing about relief. In his endeavors in this connection 
 there were developed traits of character that showed him 
 to be a man of extraordinary force, and which undoubt- 
 edly fitted him for pursuing in any field any course which 
 he laid out for himself. In him were combined diplo- 
 macy, courtesy and affability in such a degree that no 
 opponent could resent his advances. Had he undertaken 
 to lay a case before the English Crown it is doubtful if he 
 would have failed, and such a move was not improbable. 
 The fight for the amalgamation of the two branches of 
 the Ancient Order of Hibernians in this country was at- 
 tended by such difficulties at times as to have made the 
 purpose seem impossible to carry to a successful issue. 
 This opposition did not come wholly from the rank and 
 file of the organization itself, but rather from men who. 
 enjoying a prestige as factional leaders for many years, 
 were loath to relinquish or to approve of any measure that 
 threatened to reduce the power which that position gave 
 them. And these were not men of the ordinary stamp. 
 Indeed, they included some of the shrewdest of the coun- 
 try as relates to the leading men of that race. The com- 
 plete history of this work can never be written. Only 
 Father Phillips himself knew all of the difficulties encoun- 
 tered, and it was against his nature to complain where he 
 
 89 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 concehed the error to be tlie mind rather tlian the h.eart. 
 It cannot be charged that this opposition was born of per- 
 verse characteristics, but rather of a misunderstanding 
 which, with the advance of time, became a conviction, and 
 rooted itself so strongly that only the most powerful in- 
 l^uences could change. During this struggle there were 
 many trips and conferences with leaders taken by Father 
 Phillips, of which his intimate friends knew nothing. 
 He well understood that if the most influential organiza- 
 tion representing the Irish race in the United States was 
 to remain divided, effective and advantageous work in 
 behalf of the Irishmen abroad, as well as those of this 
 country, would be well-nigh impossible. He fully ap- 
 preciated that the men for whom his heart beat in sym- 
 pathy, while divided, could never attain that position 
 which would command attention from the agencies in 
 this country so necessary to their material advancement. 
 He well understood that the longer they remained apart 
 the wider would become the breach, and the more diffi- 
 cult it would be to bridge it. He saw in this division one 
 of the greatest barriers to their advancement socially, 
 and an undermining force that, if not overcome, would 
 ultimately end in the promiscuous scattering of the race 
 and the utter failure of efforts in behalf of the country 
 "by such men as Michael Davitt, John Dillon, Rev. Dr. 
 O'Connell, Justin McCarthy and others. 
 
 For years and years men who were sincere and who 
 v/ould have sacrificed everything they possessed to pro- 
 mote the interests of their native land, labored in vain 
 to overcome animosities that were eating away at the 
 
 go 
 
HIS V/ORK FOR THE IRISH RACE. 
 
 foundation walls of Irish strength, unity and independ- 
 ence. With the lapse of time the estrangement grew and 
 the dividing influence wormed its way, insidiously until 
 only the semblance of organization remained among 
 Hibernians in America. The effect among Irishmen 
 outside of the organization was equally distressing. At 
 home the situation was even worse. The political par- 
 ties split upon the shoals of internal dissensions and the 
 elements were cast hopelessly adrift. Able men ap- 
 peared before the English Parliament advocating the 
 cause of Ireland, but with dogged persistence a counter- 
 acting influence sprang from their own ranks and de- 
 stroyed the work of the patriots. In different parts of 
 Ireland factions arose, all resenting the appeals of sin- 
 cere leaders. They had learned to regard leadership as 
 superior to country. It mattered not who branched out 
 as a standard bearer, what talent he possessed, or what he 
 might accomplish in behalf of the country, he was certain 
 to meet with stubborn resistance from his own people. 
 The Parnellites and the Irish Parliamentary Party not 
 only fought each other on questions of public interest, 
 but there developed a feeling which took on the features 
 of a feud. From bad to worse things were growing, and 
 the little island presented a most pitiable spectacle. 
 
 The philosophy upon which the government of Eng- 
 land has rested holds that the weaker adjacent country 
 shall submit to the stronger. To Irishmen the source 
 of such reasoning was more detestable than its force 
 in applying it themselves. Froude, in his History of Ire- 
 land, has portrayed features of Irish character which he 
 
 91 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 held for centuries operated to the detriment of the race 
 and enabled the British to control her. This, he claimed, 
 was due to internal strife and the disposition to forget 
 fealty to their own organization and their obligations to 
 each other. 
 
 How to account for this trait has puzzled historians 
 and patriots, but it has been a costly weakness. A friend 
 on one occasion asked Father Phillips if he did not re- 
 gard it as a racial defect promoted by the introduction of 
 the Norman blood at the instance of the English govern- 
 ment. With this theory he did not agree and discoursed 
 on the subject as follows : 
 
 "History shows us that the sections of the country 
 occupied by that element in the earlier centuries remained 
 loyal even under the most trying circumstances. My 
 impression is that the abnormal desire for leadership is at 
 the bottom of this apparent weakness. Irishmen, as a 
 rule, make good leaders. They are so constituted that 
 they cannot help making a good showing when com- 
 manding in the affairs of others. This has developed 
 along with a disposition to be in the executive chair 
 rather too strongly. The trouble is, too many are dis- 
 posed to lead and too few disposed to give up the position 
 of director once such distinction is attained, even though 
 the sacrifice conserves the best interests of the people. 
 In this respect there is something lacking, though under 
 other circumstances it would be a grace of which we 
 might feel proud. 
 
 "Of course, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the 
 clannish tendency in Ireland has not entirely been eradi- 
 
 92 
 
HIS WORK FOR THE IRISH RACE. 
 
 cated. She absorbed the lessons of early clannish gov- 
 ernment. Her Chiefs were numerous from the earliest 
 days. She has been slow to accommodate herself to 
 changed conditions. She has not kept pace with the 
 march of progress, because, unfortunately, she has been 
 too busy fighting the tyrant and endeavoring to live. She 
 has been denied the chance of development. No ade- 
 quate encouragement has been offered to fully divorce her- 
 self from the habits of earlier times. While she was 
 fighting for liberty, life and for relief from the tyrant's 
 yoke the seed of progress in other parts of the world was 
 germinating, and its beneficent influences displacing the 
 shadows which becloud the pages of history prior to and 
 during the formative period. For centuries the tyrant's 
 sword had been unsheathed in Ireland. Her soil has been 
 irrigated by the blood of her patriots and martyrs. Her 
 sacrifices have been perpetual. Despotism is not the 
 name for the assaults made upon her by a perverted foe, 
 and not even the bitterest or narrowest of historians pre- 
 tend to defend them. The attempt to infuse strange 
 blood, conceived as it was in infamy, was not successful — 
 first, because the light shed by Christianity and Catholic- 
 ity was stronger, and, further, because from the first 
 European shoot of the Aryan trunk, the Celto-Greco- 
 Latin, extends the Celtic branch, and, this being closer to 
 the Icelandic than to the Saxon, it was unnatural to sup- 
 pose that the mixture, as attempted, would serve the de- 
 sired end. The prejudices thus given rein could only re- 
 sult in failure. The characteristics peculiar to early 
 usages and customs were maintained. As Tacitus said : 
 
 93 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 'They may be led to obedience, but not to servitude/ 
 And as the Chiefs reigned of old, the desire for leader- 
 ship remained almost uncontrollable. Instead of this be- 
 ing a blessing it has been baneful to the success of her pa- 
 triots and the happiness of her people." 
 
 In his experience in uniting the two branches of Hi- 
 bernians in America, Father Phillips certainly had op- 
 portunity to familiarize himself with this question, and 
 he was able to discuss it with some authority. No man 
 fought harder, with greater persistence or effectiveness, 
 to reconcile the leaders and to place the differences before 
 them in such a way as to induce them to see the question 
 as he saw it. 
 
 Had he been working in any other capacity than that 
 of a patriot who had no personal ambition to promote, it is 
 probable that he would not have succeeded in overcoming 
 this desire for leadership, and compelling men to under- 
 stand that the interests of the Irish people were first in im- 
 portance, and the w^ay to promote such interests was to- 
 make personal aspirations secondary. 
 
 But in taking up the work of restoring harmony and 
 unity. Father Phillips did not contemplate benefit to the 
 divided organization alone. He saw that the causes of 
 such division were creating strife that had evil effects 
 among Irishmen everywhere. The dissensions extend- 
 ed over a wide range and operated to the detriment of 
 the entire race. To heal the differences, which were 
 primarily responsible for the condition, he reasoned,. 
 Ayould tend to advance the interests of all. 
 
 94 
 
HIS WORK FOR THE IRISH RACE. 
 
 At the time he first took up the work he did not kno\v 
 how or to what extent the disaffection had spread in 
 Ireland. This he learned after his visit to Dublin during 
 the session of the Irish Race Convention in 1896. In 
 this connection his movements in the work seemed to 
 have been influenced by an unseen power, so beneficent 
 M^ere they in results. 
 
 c5 
 
CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 HE VISITS DUBLIN AND ATTENDS THE IRISH RACE CONVEN- 
 TION. HIS FIRST SPEECH FOR UNITY. CONFERS WITH 
 THE IRISH LEADERS IN PARLIAMENT AND OTHERS. HE 
 BECOMES A CONSPICUOUS INTERNATIONAL FIGURE. 
 
 It was in the early part of July, 1896, that the call for 
 a Convention of the Irishmen of the world had been issued 
 to take place in Dublin. The Parnellites and Irish Par- 
 liamentary Party were then divided, and the feeling ex- 
 isting was exceedingly bitter. Archbishop Walsh, of 
 Toronto, Ont., it was, who inspired the call for this gath- 
 ering. Invitations were sent to the various Irish socie- 
 ties throughout the world. 
 
 The Ancient Order of Hibernians of Luzerne County, 
 Penna., met in Plains, and decided to send a representa- 
 tive. There were several names mentioned for the ap- 
 pointment. It was perceived at the time by the leading 
 spirits that the Dublin assemblage would be attended by 
 some of the brightest men of the race. To properly sus- 
 tain the Order on such an occasion it was admitted that 
 a man of exceptional ability would have to be selected. 
 At that time Father Phillips was not a member of the 
 organization. Rev. John Finnen. of Pittston, who was 
 going to Rome, was consulted, and in his talk with the 
 members of the Hibernians he mentioned Father Phil- 
 lips as being a man who was capable of sustaining the 
 local body, and at the same time of doing something that 
 
 96 
 
HIS VISIT TO DUBLIN. 
 
 would be a benefit to the race itself. Father Finnen's es- 
 timate of the man was not overdrawn. The Hibernians 
 called on Father Phillips and made the proposal to him 
 of being a delegate. The question was then raised about 
 his not being a member of the Order. It was pointed out 
 that the constitution made the priest an ex-officio member, 
 and this fact avouM overcome any technical objection to 
 his selection that might possibly be made by other aspir- 
 ing members. Father Phillips at once began an inquiry 
 into the principles of the organization, and soon afterward 
 was proposed and admitted a member of Division 12, of 
 Plains, Luzerne County. Later he was formally elected 
 a delegate to the Dublin Convention. 
 
 In view of the circumstances surrounding his election 
 this was a mark of special confidence and, as events 
 proved, it was a most fortunate selection. The chance of 
 doing something of value for his people, and for which 
 he had often hoped, was thus presented unexpectedly, 
 and it was with feelings of confidence and gratitude that 
 he sailed for Dublin, accompanied by his nephew, Dr. An- 
 thony Dougherty. 
 
 As had been surmised by the members of the Plains 
 Convention, the Dublin Convention was attended by 
 many brilliant men. They came from different parts of 
 the world, including South Africa, Canada, Nova Scotia, 
 Australia, North and South America. Such organiza- 
 tions as the National Foresters, Young Ireland Societies 
 and Gaelic Clubs sent delegates. The Irish National 
 Federation branches were represented by 1,400 dele- 
 gates. The gathering was wholly one of Irishmen. It 
 
 97 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 included Irishmen of all religions. A distingaiished 
 scholar. Most Rev. Dr. O'Donnell. Bishop of Raphoe, 
 presided. Two distinguished Canadian statesmen, Hon. 
 John Costigan and Hon. Edward Blake — the one a Cath- 
 olic, the other a Protestant— and the leaders of opposing 
 sides in Canadian politics, wer** on tlie platform united on 
 the Irish question. Among others on the platform were : 
 John Dillon, M. P. ; Justin ^IcCarthy, M. P. : T. P. 
 O'Connor, M. P. : Michael Davitt. V\'illiam O'Brien. 
 
 Shortly after his arrival in Dublin, Father Phillips 
 opened a conference with the leaders. He learned that 
 among the influential men of Ireland there existed a bit- 
 ter feeling, and the minority, although weak numerically, 
 had such control of legislative affairs that to do effective 
 work in Parliament without them was quite impossible. 
 The sentiment of the delegates was for unity, and even 
 those from Australia and South Africa made impassioned 
 speeches for a settlement of the difficulties. The Red- 
 mondites and Healyites, who were to join for peace later, 
 were not present at the convention, and their organ, The 
 Dublin Independent, was keeping up a bombardment 
 against the delegates. The attempt to ridicule was with- 
 out effect. In the face of such a representative gathering 
 it could not have been otherwise. A letter from Pope 
 Leo XIII, praying for harmony and the success of the 
 Irish legislative plans, was read in Convention. 
 
 Able speeches were delivered by leaders, some of them 
 members of Parliament, and men Avho had made their 
 marks in different parts of the world. 
 
 98 
 
ADDRESSED THE IRISH CONVENTION. 
 
 Father Phillips was among the speech-makers on the 
 opening day of the Convention in Leinster Hall, Septem- 
 ber I, 1896. This address attracted considerable atten- 
 tion and showed how thoroughly sincere he was in his de- 
 sire to accomplish something of value for his people. 
 
 As an oratorical effort there were many addresses made 
 on the floor of the Convention that were superior, but 
 none that excited keener enthusiasm or that were punctu- 
 ated more frequently with applause. The address was 
 brief and to the point and was as follows : 
 
 "Most Reverend Chairman, Fellow-Delegates, Ladies 
 and Gentlemen — I did not intend when leaving my home 
 in America to make an address at this Convention, for I 
 believe, as most Americans believe, and what most Irish- 
 men know, that there is, if anything, too much orating 
 in Ireland. I came here not to make a speech, but to do 
 something. I was not born in Ireland. I would like 
 to have been born in Cork or Tipperary after the reputa- 
 tion these two worthy children have given of the two 
 places. I may say, as we are all giving something of our 
 pedigree, that my parents were married at the foot of 
 Nephin Beg, and if they had remained there a short time I 
 would not have been born in America ; and, as our young 
 friend, Dr. Feeley, said, it is no fault of mine if I am not 
 an Irishman. I came here to represent the most intensely 
 patriotic organization in America— the Ancient Order of 
 Hibernians— representing directly about ten thousand 
 anthracite coal miners in Pennsylvania, and the particu- 
 lar district from which I have come as a delegate is Lu- 
 zerne. Therefore, I have a right to speak in behalf of 
 
 99 
 LofC. 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 Irish unity. I have been told by my fellow-members of 
 the Ancient Order of Hibernians to counsel unity if neces- 
 sary, and it is not necessary to speak of unity, but for 
 God's sake to do something for unity and for Ireland. 
 Gentlemen, we have heard a great deal about unity. 
 That word 'unity' is magnificent all the world over — in 
 America, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Great 
 Britain, and Ireland, when it is on paper, but I have not 
 heard one suggestion as to the means of promoting unity 
 in Ireland. I have heard, with which I must disagree, 
 •one delegate say tyranny is necessary among the bosses — 
 among the leaders. 
 
 "Gentlemen, I think that there is a great deal of trouble 
 in the ambitions of leadership, and I hope that out of 
 this Convention there will arise one whom Ireland can 
 trust. I can't discountenance the magnificent work of 
 the present chairman. I admire him for the work that 
 he has done; and, as all the speakers have said, and the 
 magnificent orator from the North of Ireland has said, 
 Ireland is greater than any man, Ireland is greater than 
 leaders, and if the leaders be at fault, then the people 
 should know how to right the wrong. The people should 
 be the law, and should rule. I live in a country in which 
 there is government of the people, for the people and by 
 the people, and every time I'll swear by the people, be- 
 cause the people all united— it makes no difference about 
 leaders — the country cannot go wrong. If, gentlemen, 
 out of this Convention will come something good for the 
 people of Ireland, for the proper representation of the 
 people of Ireland, I care not who is leader, or who will 
 be the leader, I'll go back to the Patriotic Order of Hiber- 
 nians (Board of Erin), and tell them that I did not come 
 in vain to the land of my fathers." 
 
 lOO 
 
CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 THE PLATFORM PASSED AT THE DUBLIN CONVENTION ANI> 
 CLOSING SPEECH OF FATHER PHILLIPS. FOUNDATION- 
 FOR UNITY LAID. 
 
 The debate on the resolutions submitted at the Dublin- 
 Convention lasted three days, during which time leading 
 men of the Irish race who had come to the Convention- 
 from various parts of the world gave their views, and alE 
 appealed for unity. The platform then adopted serves^ 
 to-day as the basis for Parliamentary action and the 
 guide for Irish advocates in Westminster, as well as an* 
 inspiring influence for men of the race in America, and 
 their sons. The platform consisted of ten planks, the 
 first of which excited the keenest debate and shows how the 
 country was suffering from internal dissensions and the 
 grave necessity for concerted action. This plank reads as 
 follows : 
 
 (i) Reunion. — "Seeing that divisions amongst Irish 
 Nationalist representatives paralyze to a great extent their 
 power of serving Ireland, cast discredit on the country, 
 and tend to alienate the support of the Irish race, and to 
 destroy their confidence in the efficacy of Parliamentary^ 
 action, we record our firm conviction that it is of the first 
 importance to Ireland that the Nationalist representatives 
 in Parliament should be reunited into one party ; and, in the 
 spirit of the recent resolution of the Irish Party, we de- 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 clare that, 'In our earnest desire to accomplish that result, 
 we are prepared to meet on fair and equal terms all Na- 
 tionalists who will join in the attempt to reconstitute a 
 united Home Rule Party, in which every support of the 
 movement shall be cordially received and justly consider- 
 ed, regardless of all past differences, and having regard 
 only to his capacity to render service to the common cause.' 
 We are glad to observe in the composition of this Con- 
 vention and in the spirit shown throughout the country, 
 marked evidence of a growing tendency to reunion, and 
 we invite the Irish Nationalist Party to take such further 
 steps as may to them seem calculated to promote the cause 
 of reunion." 
 
 The second plank was a pathetic appeal for unity, and 
 the third for Home Rule. The fourth demanded Am- 
 nesty for the Irish political prisoners, and the fifth a re- 
 vision of the Land Laws. Taxation, Labor, Local Gov- 
 ernment, Education and the Gaelic Language made up the 
 rest of the resolutions, all of which passed 
 
 While the adoption of the resolutions gave the basis for 
 work, there yet remained the division represented in the 
 Parnellites, Healyites and Irish Nationalists. The repre- 
 sentative men of the race had spoken and practically served 
 notice on the other factions that the Irish Nationalists 
 alone would be recognized as the Party from which results 
 were expected and which merited support. To bring the 
 dissenters within the fold Avas the great issue, however, 
 and this had excited very serious discussion. The keynote 
 for this very important work was sounded by Father Phil- 
 lips in a brief speech shortly before adjournment. To 
 
HIS WORK FOR UNITY. 
 
 ^ve him an opportunity of setting forth his views the 
 Reverend Chairman, Bishop O'Donnell, said : 
 
 "Gentlemen, I shall propose a more rapid way of getting 
 through the other resolutions, and I would put this resolu- 
 tion to you now were it not a very distinguished Ameri- 
 can priest, Father Phillips, of Pennsylvania, has a word 
 to say." 
 
 Father Phillips was greeted with cheers by the Conven- 
 tion. His address, as reported by the Dublin Freeman, 
 was as follows : 
 
 "I did not intend to add one word to the few remarks 
 that I made on the opening day of the Convention, but I 
 was so much pleased by the sentiment conveyed by the 
 last speaker in regard to general amnesty, when he said 
 that the Irish delegates, priests and people, were sending 
 to America a feeling of unity, not only towards the men 
 who belong to their regular party in Ireland, but to those 
 who differ, a general amnesty, I wish to say on behalf of 
 the American delegates that our principle is in America 
 that 'more flies are caught by molasses than by vinegar' 
 (applause). A few days before I left my home I had the 
 pleasure of spending a delightful hour with a priest of the 
 Diocese of Raphoe, which is represented in so magnifi- 
 cent manner by his Lordship, our chairman (loud cheer- 
 ing), and he said to me, which I now see verified, that if 
 Bishop O'Donnell, of Raphoe, would consent to be present 
 at the Convention his spirit of the Irish Nationality would 
 dominate the Convention, and a good result must come. 
 Now, gentlemen, one of our speakers from America, rep- 
 resenting the Irish National Federation, has given prac- 
 
 103 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 tical proof of the Irish-American loyalty to Ireland by the 
 statement he has made of the contributions of Americans, 
 as well as of Irish-Americans, and of Irishmen who have 
 adopted America as their home, to the Irish cause. But 
 he made a remark with which I must in part disagree ; that 
 is, that America expects the honorable chairman if he can- 
 not rule to crush (cheers). Fourteen years ago I sat and 
 worked with Mr. Dillon in America, when he visited that 
 country with the late Mr. Parnell. whose soul, I am glad 
 to say^ is still marching on. But I think that it is well for 
 parties to remember that men have opinions, and that 
 these opinions are sometimes honestly expressed; there- 
 fore, that the sense of this Convention is, I believe, that we 
 extend the olive branch to these men still (applause), 
 and I do not think that it is beneath the dignity of the reg- 
 ular Irish National Party, through its chairman or in a 
 body, to make an appeal. [Mr. Dillon was understood to- 
 make some remark.] I wish, therefore, as the honorable 
 chairman says, yes (loud cheers), I wish to state on be- 
 half of America, on behalf of the greater Ireland here rep- 
 resented, that we are all united in believing that the Irish 
 Party now represented by the present chairman (cheers) is 
 the party of Ireland (renewed cheering). Let me recall 
 a sentiment which I remember being uttered by the honor- 
 able chairman at a banquet somewhere in London last 
 March, which electrified me and thrilled me. He said, 
 and with this I will close my remarks, as the sense of this 
 Convention, as the sense of the people who are not here, 
 but who should be, the sense v\'hich I liope they will experi- 
 ence after the though ful words that have been uttered ort 
 
 104 
 
HIS WORK FOR UNITY. 
 
 this platform, and which now come from my heart — this 
 language of Mr. Dillon's was this/If I can but add a senti- 
 ment to 'Ireland a Nation' it is, The Nationalists of Ire- 
 land all the world over united.' " (Loud cheers) . 
 
 Besides showing that he had for many years been giv- 
 ing attention to the Irish question, this speech also showed 
 that the spirit of conciliation which in after years was to 
 be more prominently manifested in the labor world, he be- 
 lieved in applying to the Irish factions. This did not im- 
 ply that he did not recognize the limit, nor that he was 
 not capable of ruling when occasion required, with a firm 
 and inflexible hand. 
 
 /Before leaving Ireland, Father Phillips conferred fur- 
 ther with Michael Davitt, John Dillon and Justin Mc- 
 Carthy^ as well as the official heads of the Ancient Order 
 of Hibernians of Great Britain and Ireland, and with 
 them he discussed his plans for beginning active work in 
 America towards reuniting Erin's sons. The division in 
 America had not only cut off revenue from the Irish Na- 
 tionalists' movement, but had also operated to discourage 
 those working for a more effective Parliamentary body 
 and added fuel to the fires of dissension then consuming 
 the patriotic ardor of Irish champions. 
 
 All agreed with him as to the vital necessity of unity and 
 harmony, but no one seemed able to see how this proposed 
 merging could be accomplished. The conditions under 
 which the Ancient Order of Hibernians rested made the 
 proposition most perplexing and, indeed, to the ordinary 
 man quite impossible, to carry out successfully. During 
 his short stay in Dublin, Father Phillips lost no opportun- 
 
 105 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 ity to acquaint himself with different phases of the difficul- 
 ty. He had conceived a plan which, he felt confident, 
 would be feasible to adopt, and facilitate the movement for 
 tmity and for which every delegate attending the Conven- 
 tion was appealing. 
 
 As the accredited representative of a branch of the An- 
 cient Order of Hibernians in America, he attended a meet- 
 ing of the Executive Board of the organization, represent- 
 ing Great Britain and Ireland. This was held on O'Con- 
 nell street, Dublin, during the week of the Convention, 
 and there was sounded the first practical notes of the cam- 
 paign for harmony and unity. This meeting w^as presid- 
 ed over by Mr. John Crilly, of Belfast, and assurances were 
 given that, with the efforts of Father Phillips in America, 
 the Hibernians of Great Britain and Ireland would join in 
 sympathy. 
 
 This progress strengthened the hope that, "he had not 
 gone in vain to the land of his fathers," and it \vas with 
 feelings of satisfaction and renewed determination to con- 
 tinue the work so auspiciously Ijegitn that he returned to 
 America. 
 
 <^ 
 
 io6 
 
CHAPTER XV. 
 
 PLANS FOR UNITY ON BOTH SIDES O^ THE ATLANTIC AR- 
 RANGED. FIRST GUN OF THE CAMPAIGN FOR UNITY IN 
 AMERICA SOUNDED. FORCES ISSUES AND HE BECOMES 
 LEADING DIRECTOR IN CONFERENCE. 
 
 After returning to his home in Plains, the closing 
 months of the year 1896 were months of patient and per- 
 sistent toil for Father Phillips. The commission which 
 he had voluntarily imposed upon himself when leaving Ire- 
 land he had resolved to carry out successfully. In famil- 
 iarizing himself with the general situation he made a 
 close study of conditions in his own country, as presented 
 in the two Boards. The feeling was such among the 
 more influential members of both organizations that the 
 advances had to be made with tact and diplomacy. Over- 
 tures for peace were entertained with reluctance. 
 
 The first active move decided upon was between the 
 members of the two Boards in Luzerne County, Pennsyl- 
 vania. Father Phillips conferred with the factional lead- 
 ers there and received some encouragement. He had 
 progressed so far as to openly advocate unity, but he 
 then did not fully understand the rules governing the or- 
 ganizations, and learned that the first definite movement 
 of that kind would have to be made through the National 
 Boards. He held the supreme respect and confidence of 
 the members in his own county, however, and this was an 
 
 107 
 
LIFE OF FATHER THILLIPS. 
 
 influence which he saw would be valuable in urging his 
 appeals in other directions. He kept up a ceaseless cor- 
 respondence with the National leaders, and in March, 1897, 
 just six months after his return from Dublin, he had the 
 satisfaction of attending, in Philadelphia, the first joint 
 conference of representatives of the two Boards. Many 
 members of the two organizations had been favorable to 
 the proposal for reunion. Their representatives attended 
 this conference with instructions to use all honorable 
 means for bringing about the desired pacification and 
 restoration of harmony and unity. The conference lasted 
 the greater part of the day and far into the next. The is- 
 sues raised, while trivial in themselves, were contested 
 with such uncompromising diligence that apparently no 
 gain for unity had been made when the delegates left for 
 their homes in various parts of the country. In referring 
 to it later the National President of the Board of America, 
 said that it was "A long but fruitless conference." 
 
 As Father Phillips viewed it then, it was not entirely 
 fruitless. While nothing tangible for the claim of pro- 
 gress had been established, it had, nevertheless, in the mere 
 fact of a conference having been held, given encourage- 
 ment. In addition, it had shown the active champions of 
 harmony the weak spots in the opposition, and offered such 
 champions opportunity to study the different phases of hos- 
 tility and enabled them to provide against its develop- 
 ment. The leading spirits of the conference, v;hile disap- 
 pointed to a degree, did not despair. The demand for 
 unity, within the ranks of both Boards was growing and 
 
FIRST GUN OF THE CAMPAIGN. 
 
 gave such evidences of its increasing strength and sincer- 
 ity tiiat it could not be much longer ignored. 
 
 Although the New York and Pennsylvania Boards were 
 most stubborn in their resistance and the very last States 
 to enter the compact, there were workers on both bodies in 
 these States who were capable of doing effective service. 
 In Luzerne County, in which Father Phillips lived, the 
 county officers of the Boards of Erin and America were 
 favorable to the proposition and gave to him valuable as- 
 sistance. Lawrence Kilduff was then County President 
 of the former, and the late Gilbert Curry, County Presi- 
 dent of the latter, and both of Plains. 
 
 After his return from the Philadelphia conference, 
 where, by the way, his authority to represent Luzerne 
 County was at first challenged, he went into the County 
 Convention of the Board of Erin and was elected County 
 President. He was also elected to represent the organiza- 
 tion at the National Convention which was held in New 
 York in May, 1897. 
 
 This was the opportunity he had sought. He appreci- 
 ated that if the plans for unity were to be carried to a suc- 
 cessful issue he must make an indelible impression upon 
 this Convention, and to that end he set to work. It was 
 a herculean task. He had previously been conferring 
 with the leaders of the Board of America and had so far 
 progressed as to obtain from them certain concessions in 
 promises that, if fulfilled, would be invaluable in carrying 
 out his plans. 
 
 When the Convention opened on May 27 the real evi- 
 dence of the promised concessions had not arrived. On 
 
 109 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PlIILLIPS. 
 
 the second day of the Convention, in response to tele- 
 grams and letters. Father PhilHps received the much-de- 
 sired encouragement from the then recognized leaders of 
 the Board of America. ]\fessrs. Wilhere, of Philadelphia, 
 and O'Connor, of Savannah. Ga. With these papers he 
 at once set out for the hall where the Convention was in 
 progress. He took no part in the proceedings, but made 
 a mental survey of the general situation. After selecting 
 the men whom he believed he could rely upon with great- 
 est confidence for support, he returned to his hotel and the 
 same e^'ening summoned these men individually. To- 
 each he unfolded his plans for unity and openly declared 
 that on the succeeding day he would himself conduct the 
 Convention, and intimated that their support would be not 
 only by him appreciated, but also the part of wisdom for 
 themselves to follow' him. The proposition seemed au- 
 dacious. These men, all old and experienced leaders, at 
 first expressed doubt of his ability to carry out the pur- 
 pose. They could not fail to perceive, however, that he 
 was thoroughly in earnest and fully capable of making the 
 attempt. He so impressed them with his intention and 
 by the force of his argument that they agreed not only to 
 sustain him, but to enter actively into the work. 
 
 The next day's session of the convention was most ex- 
 citing. The proceedings bordered on the dramatic. 
 Father Pliillips had never up to the time of his admission 
 to the organization and his selection as a delegate to the 
 Irish Race Convention addressed a large body of this 
 kind. He had but little time to cultivate a knowledge of 
 
 l^arliamentary tactics and to learn how to cope with old 
 
 no 
 
FIRST GUN OF THE CAMPAIGN. 
 
 and experienced leaders such as he knew he would have 
 to encounter. 
 
 The program as outlined by him to the men whom he 
 had summoned the previous night was proceeding in an 
 even tenor, and without exciting particular resentment, 
 until suddenly one of the leaders of the New York dele- 
 gation, James Casserly, perceived whither they w^ere 
 drifting. Father Phillips had just begun his report of 
 the Dublin Convention, prefacing his remarks on the 
 unity proposition, when the New York leader raised a 
 point of order. There was much confusion. Represent- 
 atives of both factions on the floor appealed for recogni- 
 tion. Those opposed to unity were violent in their pro- 
 tests. The Chairman ruled in favor of the speaker. A 
 lively debate was threatened, when Father Phillips gra- 
 ciously and unexpectedly yielded the floor with the re- 
 mark that Pennsylvania stood for unity and would al- 
 ways respect the Empire State. Whether his position 
 v/as not clearly understood, or whether it was the effect 
 of surprise, the New York leader showed himself to be 
 equal in courtesy and chivalry by declaring that wherever 
 Pennsylvania led New York would follow, and then, just 
 as Father Phillips had done, unexpectedly withdrew. 
 
 The keynote for harmony thus sounded was taken up 
 by the delegates and the hall resounded with enthusiastic 
 cheers. It was the crowning event of the Convention and 
 was the first decisive victory for the champions of unity. 
 The rest of the program went through with a rush. The 
 advance claims made by Father Phillips, that he would 
 exercise a controlling infliience in the affairs of the con- 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 vention, were fulfilled, and the men who assisted him 
 found their confidence in him as a leader much strength- 
 ened, and their admiration for his talents and persever- 
 ance greatly increased. 
 
 Before adjournment of the New York Convention, 
 Father Phillips, assisted by the men whom he had already 
 selected, secured the passage of a resolution which gave 
 to him the desired authority from the National body to 
 negotiate the treaty of peace. This resolution read as 
 follows : 
 
 "Resolved, That a conference committee of six dele- 
 gates in this Convention be elected forthwith, to meet a 
 similar committee of the Board of America; that such 
 joint committee shall meet within ninety days from the 
 approval of this resolution, at a place agreed upon, se- 
 lected by the respective chairmen of the conference com- 
 mittees ; that immediately upon assembling, written agree- 
 ment on the issue in question shall be agreed upon and 
 signed by the conferees, copies of which they shall retain, 
 and said agreements shall be final, binding all parties to 
 their contents; that upon the signing of agreements and 
 select an arbitrator, from the Hierarchy of the United 
 States, who shall have the exclusive judicial power to 
 investigate and determine the solution of the existing dif- 
 ferences; that nothing short of a full, final and deliberate 
 decision from the arbitration shall be accepted by this 
 Order; that the committee elected by this Convention 
 shall insist, as far as reasonable, in the formation of agree- 
 ments, upon an equitable adjudication of differences on 
 a basis which will be binding, honorable, and to the best 
 
FIRST GUN OF THE CAMPAIGN. 
 
 interests of all members at present of both Orders, and 
 at the same time using discretion and vigilance by making 
 due provisions for the future membership and general 
 internal management of the re-united Order." 
 
 The Conference Committee elected was composed of 
 the following delegates: Rev E. S. Phillips, E. R. 
 Hayes, John P. Quinnan, Miles F. McPartland, James H. 
 Murphy and Joseph McLaughlin. 
 
 The Convention also elected the following officers to 
 serve for the ensuing year : Rev. Edward S. Phillips, 
 National Delegate; Edward R. Hayes, National Secre- 
 tary; John McWilliams, National Treasurer. 
 
 That all of the new officers were favorable to unity 
 need scarcely be stated. 
 
 In electing him to the chief executive office in the 
 Order, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Board of Erin, 
 gave to his advocacy for unity official endorsement, which, 
 in addition to adopting the resolution for unity prepared 
 by him, emphasized the confidence with which they 
 viewed his work. Father Phillips at once placed him- 
 self in communication with the National President and 
 Chairman of the National Board of Directory of the 
 Board of America, with the result that the second joint 
 meeting of the leaders was arranged. This took place 
 at Atlantic City, on August 3, just four months after the 
 Philadelphia Conference. 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 A MEMORABLE MEETING. ARTICLES SIGNED, AGREEING 
 
 TO ARBITRATE DIFFERENCES. PRACTICALLY REUNITING 
 ESTRANGED MEMBERS. BISHOP m'fAUL BECv)MES 
 
 MEDIATOR AND GUIDE TO SAFETY. 
 
 During the four months after the Philadelphia cc.nfer- 
 cnce Father PhilHps had neglected nothing looking to the 
 completion of the work of amalgamation and arranging 
 details. He had enlisted the sympathy of influential 
 Irishmen outside of the Order, some of whom were to 
 figure in the work later, and. as patriots working for a 
 common cause, were to share in the gratification which the 
 consummation of such a noble enterprise afforded. 
 
 Rt. Rev. James A. McFaul, Bishop of Trenton, one of 
 the grandest figures of the Catholic Cliurch in America, 
 and an Irishm.an whose affection for the sons of the Em- 
 erald Isle has been attested time and again by his open, 
 able anduncompromisingdefenseofti.eir rights as Amer- 
 ican citizens, and which made b.im conspicuous throughout 
 the country, was in full sympathy with the work of reunit- 
 ingf and healing-the differences which for fourteen years had 
 kept apart the members of that representative organiza- 
 tion of Irishmen. The influence which he exercised 
 while, perhaps, not visible at the time, was none the less 
 potent. Without such aid it is possible that the project 
 
 114 
 
A MEMORABLE MEETING. 
 
 would have been considerably delayed at least, if not en- 
 tirely defeated. 
 
 Before leaving his home in Plains to attend the meeting 
 at Atlantic City, Father Phillips had prepared the articles 
 of agreement which were to com-plete the compact, agree- 
 ing upon an arbitrator and clearing the way for a final an^ 
 binding decision. The committee elected by the New 
 York Convention represented the Board of Erin at this 
 meeting, while the Board of America was represented by 
 the following members: P. J. O'Connor, National Pres- 
 ident; John C. Weadock, National Vice President; 
 Maurice F. Wilhere, National Director; Rev. William 
 McLaughlin. 
 
 The members of the two committees were determined t@ 
 reach a decision, and after several hours' deliberation the 
 agreement to place the matter in the hands of an arbitra- 
 tor and abide by his decision \^^s signed by all members 
 present. 
 
 Father Phillips, representing the Board of Erin, and P, 
 J. O'Connor, National President of the Board of America, 
 were selected to choose the arbitrator. They submitted 
 the name of Bishop McFaul, in whose diocese the confer- 
 ence was held. The Bishop of Trenton was unanimously 
 endorsed by the committee. Bishop McFaul willingly 
 accepted the commission. On August 8, the committee 
 called at the Bishop's house in Trenton, and on the follow- 
 ing day both sides were given a hearing. All circum- 
 stances connected with the separation of the two bodies 
 were submitted. The decision of Bishop McFaul was 
 given in December, 1897. The joint committee was again 
 
 115 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 summoned, this time to the Bishop's house in Trenton, and 
 there the union was formally established and sanctified by 
 approval of the eminent prelate. 
 
 The first National Convention of the reunited Hiber- 
 nians in America was held in the city of Trenton, June 27 
 to July 2, 1898. Father Phillips here submitted his re- 
 port as the National Delegate, Board of Erin. In it he 
 recounted in a brief way the work done at the several con- 
 ferences and the final meeting in Bishop McFaul's house, 
 where the merging formally took place. The report con- 
 tained no reference to his exertions in behalf of unity, 
 which was signalized at this Convention, and which occa- 
 sioned great rejoicing among the patriotic Irishmen of 
 the world. He had accomplished the work he had pledg- 
 ed himself voluntarily to perform, and desired only to be 
 permitted to withdraw to private membership in the re- 
 united Order. He positively declined any official honors 
 in the National organization. He had sought the posi- 
 tion of National Delegate in the Board of Erin that he 
 might pursue the work of promoting unity with better 
 effect. He saw nothing further to be done in behalf of 
 the race he loved. The unselfish, generous and self- 
 sacrificing motives which actuated him were here fully 
 demonstrated, and with a heart filled with gratitude for 
 the success attending his efforts he was ready to return to 
 his people in Plains. 
 
 Assurances had already been received from Ireland that 
 the Board of Erin had adopted Father Phillips's sug- 
 gestion and would act in unison with the united or- 
 ganization in America, and that they would accept and 
 
 116 
 
A MEMORABLE MEETING. 
 
 adapt themselves to the decisions of the Reverend Arbi- 
 trator selected by the joint committee. Another com- 
 munication from Glasgow showed that the organizations 
 throughout Great Britain were equally well disposed. As 
 to the feelings of Father Phillips in realizing that the 
 magnificent work which he set out to do had been com- 
 pleted, the closing paragraph of his report to the National 
 Convention to a degree explains. This read as follows : 
 
 "Brothers, as this is my last official utterance, let me 
 say a parting farewell word to the officers and members of 
 the Board of Erin in the United States. You have sus- 
 tained me in the trying, though honorable, position in 
 which you have placed me, by your love, your loyalty, and 
 your devotion, and I can at this moment only say I thank 
 you. My heart was yours in an organization that has 
 happily closed its eyes in eternal sleep. My memory of 
 love's labor not done in vain shall ever be yours. For 
 the future, I pledged myself and you in the sacred cause of 
 reunited Hibernianism, as loyal, devoted members of the 
 Ancient Order of Hibernians in America. May we be 
 €ver mindful of the glorious fact that while it remains, as 
 now constituted, under the care, protection, and guidance 
 of the Roman Catholic Church, the church of our fore- 
 fathers, it is an Order worth living for, fighting for, dy- 
 ing for. It is the cause of Erin's sons and daughters at 
 home and abroad, and as such appeals to every true Irish 
 heart." 
 
 The system of amalgamation arranged by Bishop Mc- 
 Faul was taken up in the various States of the Union and 
 the bonds of unity were quietly established. Father Phil- 
 
 117 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 lips witnessed the reunion in his own State and later that 
 of the county organizations which had first honored him 
 with their confidence. To the members in Luzerne 
 he felt indebted, and by them was prevailed upon to ac- 
 cept the County Chaplaincy, which he held until the time 
 of his death. 
 
 ii8 
 
CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 THE BOSTON CONVENTION. FATHER PHILLIPS AS CHAIR- 
 MAN OF THE RESOLUTIONS COMMITTEE SUPPORTED THE 
 STIRRING SENTIMENTS OF BISHOP m'fAUL, SHOWING A 
 STRONG AND FEARLESS WILL POWER. 
 
 By Luzerne County Hibernians, he was selected 
 as delegate to the Boston Convention in 1900. 
 At this Convention opportunity was offered Father 
 Phillips to demonstrate that while he was an ar- 
 dent advocate of conciliation, he could be bold and un- 
 yielding in pursuing the course which he conceived to be 
 right and for the best interests of his people. To come 
 out openly and strongly for a principle, even at the risk 
 of exciting the element which, from inherent weakness, 
 cannot see propriety nor justice therein, is not an every- 
 day occurrence among Irishmen in this country. When 
 this independence of spirit is manifested it attracts atten- 
 tion because of its rarity rather than its propriety. The 
 fear of stimulating the cry of sectionalism and bigotry 
 in a measure, accounts for this apparent apathy among 
 the representatives of the race, and will doubtless explain 
 the indifference with which the feelings of this class are 
 regarded sometimes by leading Americans. Such a 
 talented and distinguished American orator as the late 
 Wendell Phillips betrayed this carelessness at times. As 
 an instance : On being invited to address an Irish Cath- 
 
 119 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 olic audience in a New York State town on one occasion^ 
 he took for his subject "Oliver Cromwell." The usually- 
 irresistible eloquence of the famous orator excited no ap- 
 plause among his auditors. Not understanding it, he 
 asked a friend how it was. Of course, the subject of his 
 lecture and the character of his audience, when pointed 
 out, explained. This is not noted as a reflection upon 
 the memory of that brilliant American, but merely as an 
 instance of forgetfulness which is promoted by the apathy 
 in Irishmen themselves. And such slips are not infre- 
 quent. 
 
 When Rt. Rev. James A. McFaul, Bishop of Trenton, 
 submitted a letter to the Boston Convention, which has 
 since been published, it created more astonishment among 
 many of the delegates than among the people of the coun- 
 try who afterward read it in the newspapers. It was one 
 of the incisive, clear-cut compositions characteristic of 
 the Trenton prelate, and among the timid Irishmen of 
 the country excited apprehension. But in Father Phil- 
 lips it excited no apprehension. On the floor of the Con- 
 vention he sustained the position of Bishop McFaul and 
 supported the sentiment of his letter. He felt that he 
 was speaking in behalf of the race, and personal ambitions 
 had no place where such interests were involved. In a 
 political way his sympathies were with the Administration 
 criticised. 
 
 After the introductory greeting Bishop ]\IcFaul wrote : 
 "After the noble sentiments in favor of unity expressed 
 by the delegates to the last Convention, it is quite unnec- 
 essary to emphasize the great importance of united effort 
 
THE BOSTON CONVENTION. 
 
 for strength and progress. I shall, therefore, direct your 
 attention to another question which I believe should be ta- 
 ken up and prosecuted with energy. This subject has 
 lately been forcibly brought to my attention in connection 
 with the public institutions of this State, and I presume 
 a like condition, at least to some extent, exists in almost 
 every State in the Union. 
 
 "The population of New Jersey is over 1,500,000, and 
 the Catholic population is rapidly approaching 500,000, 
 or about one-third of the population of the State. Now,, 
 we should have a proportionate representation on the 
 Boards of Management of Public Institutions. This, 
 however, we have never had, and, although we are bet- 
 ter off here as regards freedom of worship in public insti- 
 tutions than in some States, we are, nevertheless, far from 
 possessing that full exercise of our religion which we 
 should enjoy. Only a Catholic member of a public 
 board can fully appreciate o\ir position as regards the 
 necessity or religion and moral training, especially in re- 
 formatory institutions. 
 
 "It seems to me then that all Societies composed of 
 Catholics should endeavor to touch at certain points, that 
 while retaining their identity and pursuing their own aims 
 independently of other organizations, there should be a 
 bond of union enabling them in giving circumstances to 
 exert a united influence. 
 
 "Let me not be misunderstood ; I have not the remotest 
 idea of advocating a Catholic, a German or an Irish party 
 in America, but I believe that when there is question of 
 our rights, as Christians and as Catholics, we should be 
 
 121 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PIULLIPS. 
 
 in a position to maintain and protect them in an intelligent 
 manner. 
 
 "If we were so organized, can it be supposed for a 
 moment that the present administration would have 
 passed over in silence the outrages against religion per- 
 petrated in the Philippines, or that those blinded by relig- 
 ious prejudices would have been selected to investigate 
 and report upon affairs intimately connected with the 
 welfare of the Catholic religion in those countries which 
 have lately come under the flag of the United States ? 
 
 "Again, if that influence to- which our numbers rela- 
 tive to the entire population of the country entitles us 
 had been manifested in the proper channel, it is evident 
 that the same administration would not dare treat so 
 unjustly our Indian schools, and virtually destroy their 
 usefulness by refusing proper pecuniary support. Bigots 
 are clamoring for the conversion of tlie inhabitants of our 
 new possessions to a creed that is fast undermining its 
 own foundation, the Bible, while closing their eyes to 
 the disgraceful treatment of our own noble native races. 
 The Red Man, who under the "black robes" and the sis- 
 ters would have been civilized and Christ'anized, has 
 been converted by the bullet of the rifle, his bones, lie 
 bleaching, on our plains, side by side with those of the 
 bison, and the footsteps of his descendants, becoming 
 fewer and fewer, are all pointed toward the setting sun. 
 
 "Spain has many a crime to answer for, but in all her 
 colonies she has saved the native races and taught them 
 the tenets of Christianity and the arts of civilization. 
 
THE BOSTON CONVENTION. 
 
 "Finally, let me add that we are entitled to a greater 
 number of chaplains in the army and navy. Catholics 
 have poured out their blood like water on land and sea 
 under the flag of their country, and the least they can ask 
 is that when the 'Warrior's soul is about to meet the 
 warrior's God,' they should receive the consolations of 
 that religion which has planted patriotic aspirations in 
 their hearts. And yet how many a brave Catholic lad has 
 given forth his soul to his Creator in the late war de- 
 prived of the assistance of a priest, simply because the 
 men in power do not appreciate the necessity of the re- 
 ligious consolations which we hold so dear, but which 
 would be valued, for the sake of policy, at least, did we 
 raise our voices high enough to compel attention. 
 
 "Let the A. O. H. take a determined step in this mat- 
 ter; let them take part in forming a general organization 
 of all societies composed of Catholics, irrespective of 
 nationality, in such manner that in our State Legislatures 
 and in the National Congress the voice of Catholics may 
 be heard with effect when there is question of our relig- 
 ious rights under the Constitution, or the redress o 
 grievances." 
 
 In the advocacy of equal rights and justice towards 
 all, neither Bishop McFaul nor Father Phillips could be 
 accused of being actuated by any narrow designs. Father 
 Phillips stood as the champion of humanity, and in voic- 
 ing the sentiments of Bishop McFaul he simply gave evi- 
 dence of the generous nature of his soul, and which was 
 
 to be manifested more conspicuously in after years. This 
 
 123 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 was fully demonstrated during the labor troubles in his 
 own State. 
 
 At the Boston Convention he also acted as Chairman 
 of the Resolutions Committee and made the nominating 
 speech for National Director Patrick O'Neill, of Phila- 
 delphia. This was to be the last National Assembly that 
 he was to attend. 
 
 124 
 
CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 THE PRIEST FURTHER SHOWS HIS UNSELFISH DEVOTION 
 TO MANKIND. REFUSES A HANDSOME PURSE AFTER 
 THE STRIKE. HE RECEIVES A TESTIMONY OF THE AF- 
 FECTION WHICH THE STATE A. O. H. FELT FOR HIM. A 
 MAGNIFICENT TRIBUTE. 
 
 At the State Convention, held in Mahanoy City, Pa., in 
 June, 1900, he was present to assist in facilitating the 
 work. Here he again showed his unselfish devotion to the 
 interests of the organization and the race by declining to 
 accept the post of State Chaplain. The Convention, be- 
 fore adjournment, passed resolutions acknowledging the 
 great debt of gratitude, and expressing the highest ap- 
 preciation for his work in behalf of the Ancient Order of 
 Hibernians and the Irish race generally. 
 
 At that time arrangements were being made in Hazle- 
 ton by the parishioners of Father Phillips to signalize his 
 silver jubilee, or twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordina- 
 tion to the priesthood. The Convention took note of this 
 matter and without his knowledge started a movement to 
 show a substantial evidence of their love, devotion and 
 gratitude. The incidents of the great coal strike in the 
 anthracite region were then fresh in the minds of the peo- 
 ple and the active and effective part taken therein by 
 Father Phillips, 
 
 123 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 His parishioners had already begun the collection of a 
 purse which was to be presented September 29, 1900. 
 The people of his home city joined in the movement. His 
 work in belialf of labor and the community, regardless of 
 creed, was an inspiration which excited keen enthusiasm, 
 and the jubilee was to be made a gala occasion for the par- 
 ish of St. Gabriel's. The pastor, ho\vever, learned of 
 what was being done. He realized that many of the peo- 
 ple of the district were suffering from the effects of the 
 miners' strike and that not a few were in actual want. A 
 purse of $1,000 had already been collected. While he felt 
 very grateful for the kindly spirit manifested, he at the 
 same time considered that in justice to himself and the 
 people he could not accept the testimonial. His work in 
 behalf of labor was performed for humanity's sake, not for 
 the hope of material reward in this world. He took 
 prompt steps to discourage the collection of money for 
 the purse and instructed those so engaged to return to the 
 contributors all that had been subscribed. His wishes in 
 regard to the purse were respected. The Jubilee celebra- 
 tion, in which he took part and enjoyed, was conducted by 
 the children of the parochial schools. 
 
 The Hibernians of the State continued to carry out the 
 provisions of the resolution passed at the Mahanoy City 
 Convention. On New Year's Day, two months after the 
 date of the Silver Jubilee celebration, there assembled in 
 the city of Hazleton the members of the committee ap- 
 pointed by the Mahanoy City Convention,, with a number 
 of prominent citizens and members of the organization. 
 They had arranged to surprise the good priest by tender- 
 
 126 
 
UNSELFISH DEVOTION TO MANKIND. 
 
 ing to him a testimonial of gratitude and love. A ban- 
 quet was prepared, and to the hall Father Phillips was es- 
 corted. There he found assembled friends from different 
 parts of Pennsylvania. They included the following 
 named citizens, officers and members of the Ancient Or- 
 der of Hibernians : Patrick Donohue, State President ; 
 Patrick O'Neill, National Director; Owen Kelly, Charles 
 J. Bigley, Philip McDonald, Joseph McLaughlin, of Phil- 
 adelphia ; C. C. Donovan, State Vice President, Scranton ; 
 John J. Gibbons, State Secretary, Hudson ; E. J. Moore, 
 County President, Warrior Run ; Patrick Hogan, Prof. T. 
 M. Coniff, F. F. Kilduff, Plains; M. J. Walsh, Rev. H. 
 P. Burke, Wilkes-Barre ; Patrick Lyons, Manayunk ; Ed- 
 ward Fitzgerald, Wissahickon ; Daniel Brennan, John F. 
 Horgan, John J, Hobin, Mahanoy City ; E. J. McGeehan^ 
 Esq., Macadoo; Rev. J. F. Holmes, Bernard J. Ferry, 
 Charles F. Scott, W. E. Joyce, Rev. E. S. Phillips, Hazle- 
 ton. 
 
 State Secretary Gibbons occupied the chair at the head: 
 of the festal board, and after a few introductory remarks 
 called National Director O'Neill, of Philadelphia. The 
 National Director read a copy of the resolution passed at 
 the Mahanoy City Convention of the Ancient Order of 
 Hibernians, and at the conclusion tv/o attendants carried 
 to a forward part of the banquet hall an easel bearing a 
 veiled frame. The unveiling followed and disclosed a 
 magnificently framed copy of the resolutions engrossed 
 and artistically ornamented. It v/as the first formal pres- 
 entation of a testimonial in recognition of his work done in 
 behalf of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Irishmen 
 
 127 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 everywhere. The priest was deeply affected, but before 
 he could recover his composure State President Donohue, 
 of Philadelphia, was called, and while a hushed silence 
 fell upon the assemblag-e he made a brief address, in which 
 he further testified to the high esteem in which he was held 
 by the organization by handing their champion and bene- 
 factor a check for $1,300. 
 
 Father Phillips was overwhelmed. He had not looked 
 for such gratitude nor the depth of love, sincerity and 
 reverence that was manifested. The significance and the 
 spirit in which these testimonials were presented he could 
 not fail to appreciate, and it was with feelings of the deep- 
 est emotion that he conveyed to those present and to the 
 members of the Order everywhere his heartfelt thanks. 
 
 The engrossed resolutions were given a conspicuous 
 place on the wall of his study, where, with pardonable 
 pride, they were often shown to friends who called upon 
 him. This testimonial reads as follows : 
 
 ANCIENT ORDER OF HIBERNIANS. 
 
 AT THE 
 
 BIENNIAL CONVENTION OF THE ANCIENT ORDER OF 
 
 HIBERNIANS OF PENNSYLVANIA, 
 
 Held in Mahanoy City on June 12, 1900, it was unani- 
 mously 
 
 "Resolved, That a committee of seven should be ap- 
 pointed to express in the name of their fellow delegates, 
 as far as words may. the feeling of love, respect and grat- 
 itude which all members of the Ancient Order of Hiber- 
 nians bear to Rev. Edward S. Phillips. 
 
 128 
 
HIS SILVER JUBILEE. 
 
 "In accordance with the desire of their colleagues, this 
 committee, representing all the divisions of the Order in 
 Pennsylvania, and speaking for their brethren through- 
 out the United States, have adopted the following resolu- 
 tions : 
 
 "That the thanks of all lovers of humanity and liberty 
 are due to Rev. E. S. Phillips for his unfaltering and 
 successful efforts to bring "together in unity and harmony 
 the scattered sections of the Irish race ; 
 
 "That the great organization whose National Delegate 
 he was, from whose councils he has aided to banish fac- 
 tional strife and whose aims are : 
 
 Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity, 
 has entered upon larger and wider fields of usefulness 
 through his tireless endeavor; 
 
 "That his sacrifices for the cause of the oppressed in 
 every land, his labors at the Irish Race Convention, held 
 in Dublin in 1896, his unswerving adherence to the right, 
 and his courageous devotion to duty revive the glorious 
 memories of those bitter days when the 
 
 SOGGARTH AROON 
 
 personified devotion to 
 
 HOLY MOTHER CHURCH 
 
 and native land. 
 
 "We congratulate him upon the celebration of the Silver 
 Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood, and ardently 
 hope that for many years in the Twentieth Century his fu- 
 ture will continue to be the conspicuous example of self- 
 
 129 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 sacrifice, religions zeal, patriotic fervor and love of free- 
 dom that has been so strongly, characteristic of his life. 
 
 "(Signed) Peter J. Hughes, James O'Sullivan, Joseph 
 E. Kearns, Cornelius Horgan, J. J. Kane, I\I. D., Owen 
 Kelly, M. P., Morone, Committee; Patrick Donohue, 
 State President; C. P. Donovan, State Vice President; 
 James P. Gibbons, State Secretary ; John M. Kelly. State 
 Treasurer." 
 
 This was the first instance where full recognition for 
 his services in behalf of the race was officially given. 
 As in the campaign in behalf of the coal workers of the 
 anthracite coal mining regions, he never made any 
 claims of meritorious work, satisfied in the knowledge 
 that he had contributed to human happiness. 
 
 John M. Kelly, State Treasurer of the A. O. H. in 
 Pennsylvania, paid the following tribute to Father Phil- 
 lips: 
 
 PiTTSBUKG, Pa.. June 9, 1901. 
 Mr. Williavi Joyce, Hazleton, Pa.: 
 
 Dear Sir — To know Rev. Father Phillips was to love 
 him. He had endeared himself to the Irish race in, 
 America by his tireless and successful efforts to unite 
 the dissenting factions of the A. O. H. 
 
 He was grandly eloquent and it was a pleasure to 
 hear him address a convention of his countrymen, and 
 by his advice steer them clear of shoals and pitfalls. 
 
 He was a true Irish patriot and his death will be a se- 
 vere blov/ to the Irish race in America. 
 
 Respectfully yours, 
 
 JoHX M. Kelly. 
 130 
 
HIS SILVER JUBILEE. 
 
 John J. Gibbons, State Secretary Ancient Order of Hi- 
 bernians, who enjoyed the friendship of Father Phillips, 
 betrays in the following letter that feeling of affection 
 which appreciation for a noble soul alone can promote : 
 
 Hudson, Pa., June 21, 1901. 
 Mr. Wm. Joyce, Haeletori, Pa.: 
 
 Dear Sii^— In reply to yours of recent date, I will say 
 that were my heart an inkwell into which I could dip 
 my pen, I might be able to write such a tribute to the 
 memory of the greatly lamented "Ancient Order Priest," 
 Father Phillips, as that close friendship with him which 
 it was my pleasure and honor to enjoy, prompts me to 
 write. Only in this way could I do justice to those - 
 magnificent and noble qualities of heart, mind and soul 
 that endeared him to those who now mourn his loss. 
 These attributes, together with tlie gratitude felt by 
 myself in common with the thousands of fellow-Hiber- 
 nians who fully appreciate the extent of his labors in our 
 behalf, explain why he was so dearly beloved, and why 
 lie will be so greatly missed by us. 
 
 Your truly, 
 
 John P. Gibbons, 
 
 S. S., A. 0. H., of Penna. 
 
 131 
 
CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 THE DEATH OF FATHER PHILLIPS. SAD CIRCUMSTANCES 
 ATTENDING THE END OF A BRILLIANT LIFE. GRIEF 
 WAS EVERYWHERE PRONOUNCED. MYSTERY OF DEATH 
 CLEARED. 
 
 And now the review of a life that shone so brilliantly 
 and has left such examples of nobility as the best of men 
 might emulate, must turn to the close which God in His 
 infinite wisdom has seen fit to pronounce. The life so 
 full of splendid achievements was to go out amidst sur- 
 roundings desolate and dreary, making more poignant 
 the grief which the announcement of the death of such a 
 man would excite under any circumstances. But as the 
 ways of the Creator are inscrutable, to the Divine decree 
 all must bow with humility. And in the knowledge that 
 the good deeds of life are recorded, there can be found 
 solace in the reflection that Father Phillips, by word and 
 deed, gave many evidences of his worthiness as a man, a 
 priest, patriot and citizen. 
 
 The announcement of his death was received every- 
 where with expressions of regret, but in no other place 
 did it cast such a pall as among the people of the mining 
 region, and particularly about his home at Hazleton, 
 where his good works were more thoroughly understood 
 and where he was loved and esteemed by all classes. That 
 such a man should be called to the Great Beyond in the 
 
 132 
 
CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH. 
 
 noontide of his usefulness, no one will fail to recognize, 
 is always possible; but that Father Phillips was to be so 
 summoned seemed quite incredible. The effect in and 
 about the city of his home produced blank astonishment, 
 to be succeeded by grief that was everywhere visible. This 
 was intensified by sensational features given the earlier re- 
 ports, which subsequent developments proved to be un- 
 true. The entire city was wrapped in gloom, and until 
 the day of the funeral, when the remains were consigned 
 to their last resting place beside those of his parents in the 
 family plot in the Market street cemetery, Pittston, the 
 pall which o'erspread the community with the first an- 
 nouncement of his death remained. 
 
 It was on the evening of May i6 that his body was 
 first discovered in the rooms occupied by a Dr. Stanley, 
 730 Ninth Avenue, New York. That he had gone there 
 for treatment under this Dr. Stanley was shown by the 
 investigation conducted by the Coroner and police of New 
 York. 
 
 Father Phillips was a stranger in the great metropolis 
 and, as was shown, was induced to accompany Dr. Stan- 
 ley, a man whom he did not know. The doctor, when 
 arrested, showed symptoms of narcotic poisoning, and 
 his disjointed and irrational statements were seized upon 
 by a wildly sensational press in proclaiming the manner 
 in which Father Phillips had met his death. The theory 
 of murder was advanced and followed with persistence, 
 but it was shown at the time by his nephew, Dr. Dough- 
 erty, that death was due to natural causes, and this opin- 
 ion was fully sustained by the reports of the officials en- 
 
 133 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 gaged to hold an autopsy, and Ijy the chemist who made 
 an analysis. 
 
 That the priest had sought relaxation from the terrible 
 mental and physical strain under which he had been for 
 several months, and that the specialist could bring about 
 the desired relief led him to the place where his body was 
 found, is the accepted theory for his having gone there. 
 The circumstances surrounding the finding of the body, 
 however, and the rambling statements made by Dr. Stan- 
 ley, led the police, as a precautionary measure, to place that 
 man under arrest and hold him in custody until an au- 
 topsy could be made. This was not completed until June 
 5, when the report of Professor Ferguson, who had 
 been engaged to make the analysis, was received. This 
 showed that no evidences of poison had been discovered. 
 Dr. O'Hanlon, the Coroner's physician, demonstrated that 
 Father Phillips had been a sufferer from Bright's disease 
 of the kidneys and that his heart was weak. His physi- 
 cal condition was such that it would have been impossible 
 to stand the treatment of a hot air principle, such as Dr. 
 Stanley had been practicing. 
 
 To go into an extensive refutation of the shocking 
 stories circulated in the sensational press sent out the first 
 day after the body was discovered, concerning bibulous 
 tendencies and his moral life, would be giving undue im- 
 portance to as base a calumny as was ever invented. Al- 
 though never radical in advocating the cause of temper- 
 ance, for five )^ears prior to his death Father Phillips had 
 been a total abstainer, and as for the moral purity of his 
 life, no preacher of moral truths better exemplified by 
 
 134 
 
CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH. 
 
 •example and precept the doctrines of Him whose life on 
 earth was the model of purity and chastity, and which 
 the Christian faith teaches that all should emulate. 
 
 After having taken charge of the case for the defense 
 of Dr. Stanley, Attorneys Levy and Unger made an ex- 
 haustive examination into the facts. This was followed 
 by a voluntary statement from the lawyers, in which they 
 showed that the mental condition of their client, and to 
 whom they referred as "a rum-crazed unfortunate," made 
 his earlier stories entirely unreliable. To the purity of the 
 moral life of Father Phillips they testified as far as it re- 
 lated to his acquaintance with Stanley, and his associa- 
 tions during the time that their client had known him. 
 The very sensational reports first sent out, and which were 
 •dravvn from the disconnected and untruthful story of the 
 ■drug-brained prisoner when he was first arrested, the at- 
 torneys publicly deplored. That Stanley had witnessed 
 the death of the priest after his experiment with the hot 
 air rheumatism cure, or at least knew of it a short time 
 after dissolution had taken place, was demonstrated by 
 subsequent investigation. When he did learn of it he 
 became confused, then terrified, as he realized that the 
 awful termination of this experiment would be fatal to 
 further practice of his newly-discovered treatment. This, 
 together with the fear of getting into trouble with the 
 authorities, were features of the situation which disturbed 
 his mind. This strain prompted relief, which he found 
 in the narcotic, to the use of which it was shown he had 
 been no stranger. In a stupid condition he came to the 
 rooms day after day and, to all appearances, continued to 
 
 135 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 be following his usual business. The man did not know 
 what to do and was living along in hopes that some- 
 thing would turn up which would relieve him, and with- 
 out directing attention of the authorities to the business 
 which he knew he had been conducting contrary to ihe 
 State medical regulations. In this way his silence dur- 
 ing the days that the body lay in the sitting room was ac- 
 counted for. This period was estimated to be eight days, 
 as the movements of the deceased were traced up to May 
 8, when he met the specialist. On that day he made a 
 draft on a Hazleton bank, and after adjusting some ac- 
 counts placed a portion of the money with the hotel 
 people, which indicated that he had been preparing to re- 
 turn home, but tarried to test the fatal expei^iment. 
 
 Father Phillips left his home in Hazleton April 
 29, for the purpose of arranging in New York 
 City for a mission in his church, and to transact 
 other business connected with the parish. He en- 
 gaged the Franciscan Fathers to conduct the mis- 
 sion, and provided for every detail of that work, even to 
 the printing of the pamphlets which are distributed 
 among the faithful on such occasions. The mission op- 
 ened in St. Gabriel's Church on June 2. and was attended 
 by extraordinary success. The pamphlets referred to con- 
 tained the name of the deceased rector, and this seemed 
 to supply an influence among the members of the con- 
 gregation, which had its reflex in an attendance at the ser- 
 vices that was unprecedented. During the two weeks that 
 the Mission Fathers remained at St. Gabriel's conducting 
 services, the church, although the third largest in the dio- 
 
 136 
 
CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH. 
 
 cese, was found to be entirely inadequate to accommodate 
 the crowds of worshipers attending the exercises daily. 
 He had also upon his arrival in New York completed ar- 
 rangements for the purchase of Stations of the Cross. 
 These were shipped to Hazleton and placed in position in 
 St. Gabriel's during the progress of the mission. 
 
 The remains were taken from New York direct to the 
 home of his sister, Mrs. Mary A. Dougherty, at Port 
 Griffith, near Pittston. This was in deference to the 
 wishes of Rt. Rev. M. J. Hoban, Bishop of the Scranton 
 Diocese, and the expressed wish of Father Phillips during 
 life that his remains be buried in the family plot at Pitts- 
 ton. 
 
 From the time of the arrival at Pittston of the casket 
 containing the remains of the dead priest, the vicinity 
 of the house in which the body reposed was thronged with 
 people and so continued until the funeral, which took 
 place on Monday. 
 
 When it was announced that the remains would be re- 
 moved to Pittston direct, the various church societies at- 
 tached to St. Gabriel's Church, Hazleton, immediately 
 took steps for engaging a special train to manifest the re- 
 spect and devotion which he commanded in life. The 
 Father Mathew Society dispatched a committee of 
 eighteen members, who acted as a body guard in the 
 house of death during the time that the remains were kept 
 there. The following members composed the guard: 
 James Mooney, Frank Dugan, Thomas Burke, James 
 Durkin, James McGinty, Anthony McHale, James Gal- 
 lagher, Cormac Conahan, Patrick Brown, Hugh Ferry,. 
 
 137 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 Walter Barrett, John Kelner, Frank Dougherty, John 
 Gallagher, Edward McDonald, Francis Mulhearn, Charles 
 Gallagher, Thomas Savage. 
 
 The people of the vicinity and particularly those of his 
 earlier charge in Plains were grief-stricken, and thronged 
 about the locality until ^Monday, when the remains were 
 removed to St. John's Church, Pittston, thence to the 
 cemetery on the knoll above. 
 
 On Saturday, the day after the announcement of the 
 death of Father Phillips was first made, the Executive 
 Board of the United Mine Workers of America, repre- 
 senting the Seventh and Ninth Anthracite Districts, was 
 in session in Hazleton. The members of the committee 
 were deeply affected, as were the coal w'orkers of the entire 
 mining region. Before adjournment the Board ap- 
 pointed a delegation to attend the funeral to represent the 
 United Mine Workers, consisting of the following offi- 
 cers : National Organizers Harris and Dougherty, John 
 Fahey, President of the Ninth District, and Thomas 
 Duffy, President of the Seventh District. The following 
 resolutions were also adopted : 
 
 RESOLUTIONS PASSED BY ANTHRACITE MINE WORKERS. 
 
 At a joint meeting of the executive officers of Dis- 
 tricts Ncs. 7 and 9 of the United Mine Workers of 
 America, held in the city of Hazleton, the 18th day of 
 May, 1901, the following preamble and resolutions wera 
 adopted by a rising vote. 
 
 "Whereas. The grim reaper, Death, has ruthlessly laid 
 his ice cold hand upon labor's true and honest friend, 
 the Reverend Father Edward S. Phillips, pastor of St. 
 
 138 
 
CIRCUMSTANCES OF HIS DEATH. 
 
 Gabriel's Church, of Hazleton, taking him from our 
 midst in the noontide of his manhood and usefulness, 
 thereby removing from the field of labor one of the most 
 zealous, earnest and eloquent exponents of the cause of 
 honest toil, one who was always ready with all his 
 brilliant attainments to assist the needy, regardless of 
 creed, color or nationality, one whose nobler nature re- 
 volted against tyranny and oppression in any form, 
 thoroughly imbued with the spirit of humanity, he 
 arose in the kindness of his noble heart to help free 
 the chains which bound them to merciless poverty dur- 
 ing the last quarter of a century; therefore be it 
 
 "Resolved, That we, the executive officers of Districts 
 Nos. 7 and 9 of the United Mine Workers of America, 
 in joint meeting assembled, while bowing with meek- 
 ness and submission to the will of the Father of all 
 mankind, cannot desist from giving expression to the 
 great grief and sorrow which the death of our dear and 
 noble friend has brought to us. Not only has the Uni- 
 ted Mine Workers of America lost a noble and generous 
 friend, but all mankind as well, and the city of his 
 iiome, the State and Nation a useful and honored pub- 
 lic-spirited citizen; and lurther 
 
 "Resolved, That the charters of Districts Nos. 7 and 
 "9 shall be draped in mourning for the period of thirty 
 days; and further, that a committee composed of offi- 
 cers of the districts attend the funeral as representatives 
 of our organization; and further 
 
 "Resolved, That these resolutions be properly en- 
 grossed and a copy sent to his relatives and given to the 
 public press, and also that they be spread upon the rec- 
 ords of the districts. 
 
 "Signed— John Fahey, George W. Hartlein, Thomas 
 Duffy, Dan. Gallagher, Patrick Smith, Thos. J. Rich- 
 ards, Committee." 
 
 I3Q 
 
CHAPTER XX. 
 
 the funeral. sad scenes at the home of his sistek. 
 impressive though simple ceremonies in st. 
 John's, great throng of people pay respect to 
 the memory of father phillips. 
 
 On Monday morning', May 20, long before the hour set 
 for the funeral, the vicinity of the house in Port Grif- 
 fith in which rested the remains of Father Phillips, began 
 to fill with carriages and people. Long lines of sympa- 
 thizers passed through the house and around the closed 
 casket. The scant light through the window of the room 
 and the flickering candles but dimly outlined the scene, 
 while giving added sombreness to the heavy drapings of 
 the interior. Floral offerings sent by friends and so- 
 cieties crowded one portion of the room at the head of 
 the coffin, on top of which rested a casket bouquet, consist- 
 ing of a single long palm festooned at the stalk with flow- 
 ers tied with a silken ribbon. As a mark of respect, business 
 was suspended in the city. Many of the mines in the vicinity 
 of Pittston ceased work for the day and the toilers 
 mingled with the throng and mourners about the house 
 of death. People came from all parts of the region. 
 Special trains were run over the several roads entering 
 Pittston and traffic on the highways was considerably con- 
 gested. 
 
 140 
 
THE LAST SAD SCENES. 
 
 At lo o'clock the long procession moved slowly, and 
 solemnly from the house at Port Griffith towards St. 
 John's Church, Pittston, where the deceased priest had 
 spent his boyhood days as an altar boy. Lowering clouds 
 during the morning had threatened rain, but as the cor- 
 tege moved towards the church the sun appeared brightly 
 in the heavens, throwing its beams about the death car- 
 riage as if to light the noble spirit to a happy destiny. 
 
 The magnificent edifice of St. John's was filled with 
 people almost before the funeral procession arrived. The 
 people of his last charge, Hazleton, who had arrived on a 
 special train, were provided seats in church, and the bal- 
 ance of space was quickly taken, so that thousands of 
 people remained on the outside of the church or moved on 
 to the cemetery, where an immense throng had already, 
 assembled to await the mourners and pallbearers with the 
 coffin. 
 
 The ceremonies were simple though impressive. Sur- 
 pliced priests and acolytes crowded the chancel, and the 
 church began its sacred office of repose and intercession. 
 The tall candles around the bier were lighted and burned 
 freely in the gentle breeze which escaped from the drowsy 
 sun. Suddenly the full, sweet, sad resonance of the or- 
 gan's wailing notes pealed through and filled the church. 
 The priests ranged themselves about the altar and chanted 
 the Miserere. But a few minutes lasted this peal of 
 anguish for a departed soul, and then the organ gave forth 
 a burst of stately music as the procession of officiating 
 clergy entered. Rev. J. J. Greve, of St. Mary's Church, 
 Pittston, was celebrant of the mass; Rev. J. J. Curran, of 
 
 141 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 Wilkes-Barre. deacon ; Rev. W. P. O'Donnell, of Scran- 
 ton, sub-deacon. Rev. P. J. Oiiinnan, of St. John's 
 Pittston, was master of ceremonies. 
 
 Within the chancel :vere the following priests, who- 
 chanted the sacred office : Revs. P. J- O'Reilly, Scranton; 
 W. J. McManus, Providence; W. P. O'Donnell, Scran- 
 ton ; E. J. Melley, Scranton ; J. P. Moffitt, Taylor ; D. W. 
 McCarthy, Plymouth; Daniel Dunn, Moosic; P. J. Mc- 
 Manus, Green Ridge; T. J- Comerford, Archibald; D. 
 Green, Overton; M. F. Crane, Avoca; J. V. Hussie, 
 Plains ; J. E. Shanley, Sayre ; F. Mack, Eckley ; J. Con- 
 over, Towanda; J. H. Judge, Sugar Notch ; J. V. Moylan, 
 Providence ; N. Forve, Hazleton ; M. E. Lynott, Jermyn ; 
 J. P. O'Malley, Kingston; E. J. Manley, Kingston; R. 
 Walsh, Forest City; P. Murphy, Olyphant; J. M. 
 Smoulter, Rock Lake; T. F. Kiernan, Parsons; E. La- 
 velle, West Scranton; George Dixon, Carbondale; 
 Thomas Rea, Minooka; P. J. Lynott, R. A. McAndrew, 
 C. J. Goeckel, P. Disselhamer, J. J. Curran, H. V. Burke, 
 Wilkes-Barre; W. Gislong, Old Forge; J. Fagan, Great 
 Bend ; M. J. Manley, Susquehanna ; M. F. Shiras, Bentley 
 Creek ; J. J. Ruddy. Scranton ; P. F. Brehl, Pittston ; P. 
 Malloy, McAdoo ; John Holmes, Hazleton. 
 
 The floral ofl"'erings included many beautiful tokens of 
 love and reverence in memory of the deceased. Some 
 were from the Mine \\^orkers' organizations far and near, 
 one from the miners of Alabama, which arrived during 
 the progress of services in church. Others were from the 
 various parish societies in Hazleton and Plains and from 
 personal friends and admirers. Among the floral pieces 
 
 142 
 
THE LAST SAD SCENES. 
 
 were : Broken column, inscribed "The Mine Workers' 
 Tribute to Labor's Friend," from District 7, United Mine 
 Workers of America; scroll, inscribed "Our Friend, His 
 Motto was, The Laborer is Worthy of His Hire,' " from 
 District 9, U. M. W. of A. ; pillow from B. P. O. E. 
 200, Hazleton; cross inscribed, "Our Chaplain," from 
 the A. O. H., Hazleton; pillow, from Knights of Father 
 Mathew, Hazleton; casket bouquet. Ladies' Auxiliary, 
 A. O. H., Hazleton; casket bouquet, calla lilies, Mine 
 Workers of Alabama ; anchor, cross and two large casket 
 bouquets from former parishioners, Hazleton. 
 
 The flower bearers were: James Gallagher, Thomas 
 Burke, Joseph Dougherty, William McGlynn, Edward 
 Curran, Charles Cannon, Patrick Brown and James Mc- 
 Glynn, all of the Hazleton parish. 
 
 The pall bearers were selected from the parish societies 
 of both Hazleton and Plains, and were as follows: 
 T. M. Conniff, Plains A. O. H. ; John P. Gibbons, Plains 
 A. O. H. ; William E. Joyce, James P. Gorman, Hazleton, 
 Knights of Columbus; James Kerrigan, Sugar Notch, 
 A. O. H. ; P. T. Norton, Wilkes-Barre, Knights of Co- 
 lumbus. 
 
 As the body was borne from the church the bell tolled 
 mournfully. Citizens crowded in the streets and all 
 stood with heads uncovered as the cortege moved towards 
 the cemetery. In the procession were the A. O. H., Di-. 
 vision 10, Hazleton; Division 7, Freeland; Division 6, 
 McAdoo; Knights of Columbus, Hazleton; Knights of 
 Father Mathev/, Hazleton; East End Fire Company, 
 Hazleton; St. Aloysius, Harleigh; B. P. O. E., Pittston 
 
 143 
 
LIFE OF FATHER PHILLIPS. 
 
 and Hazleton; A. O. H., Pittston; United Mine 
 Workers. 
 
 At the cemetery the services were again chanted by a 
 number of priests. The grave into which the coffin was 
 lowered was walled with brick, over which a marble slab 
 was later cemented. During the chanting of the service 
 by the priests and until the coffin was deposited in its 
 vaulted encasing, every man in the cemetery stood with 
 bared head. 
 
 The cemetery in which the body rests is located on an 
 eminence overlooking the city of Pittston, commanding a 
 view of the Susquehanna, which winds leisurely down the 
 historic valley of Wyoming. It is an old burying place 
 and the bodies of many prominent citizens rested there be- 
 fore Father Phillips's came to further sanctify it. The 
 grave is near the centre of the plot and is surrounded by 
 those of the friends of his youth, and is a fitting spot for 
 the mortal remains of the pastor who so carefully guarded 
 his flock in life and who so successfully championed the 
 cause of humanity. 
 
 144 
 
INDEX 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 AN INTRODUCTION. 
 
 An introduction, giving a pen picture of Father Plilllips' person- 
 ality, and a brief review of iiis work for humanity 3 
 
 Epitomized biographical sketch 8 
 
 Bishop McFaul's touching tribute lo 
 
 CHAPTER 1. 
 
 Early history of St. Gabriel's Church, Hazleton, and its remark- 
 able development during the pastorate of Father Phillips 11 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Methodist ministers enjoy the hospitality of Father Phillips dur- 
 ing the Conference week in Hazleton 17 
 
 CHAPTER IIL 
 
 His solicitude for the poor. The unfinished library which he con- 
 templated erecting for the benefit of the young people of the 
 community 20 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Father Phillips as a student of economics. Characteristics and 
 training reflected in his work 25 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 His first acquaintance with the United Mine Workers' organiza- 
 tion. General industrial conditions prior to the strike 30 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Father Phillips appears before the Miners' Convention and ap- 
 peals strongly for peace 41 
 
CHAPTER VII. 
 
 The Jeddo situation and how Father Phillips came to be con- 
 nected with it. The debate on the school house steps. Most 
 dramatic incident of the strike 48 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 His vigorous and persistent efforts to reach the coal operators. 
 Father Phillips convinced that the mine owners would not 
 meet the men. His first harsh criticism, "Capital cannot 
 with impunity defy the gods of peace and war" 56 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The second brush between labor and capital. Father Phillips de- 
 vises a plan to bring the contestants together and avert a 
 conflict 6^ 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 The priest and his Board of Trade Committee call on J. P. 
 Morgan. Speculation on the settlement of the strike ended 
 after the interview with the great financier 72 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Good deeds of life show results after death. An acrimonious 
 dispute settled. Father Phillips paved the way 81 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 The split in the Ancient Order of Hibernians. Father Phillips 
 takes up the work of reuniting the factions and restoring 
 harmony 88 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 His appointment as delegate to the Irish Race Convention in 
 Dublin. Confers with representatives of the race from all 
 parts of the world. Convention speeches... gG 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The platform passed at the Dublin Convention and its influence 
 upon the unity proposition. A permanent basis for work. 
 His closing address loi 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Plans for promoting unity on both sides of the Atlantic arranged. 
 First gun of the campaign for reunion in America sounded.... 107 
 
CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 The two bodies come to an agreement. Boards of America and 
 Erin sign tlie articles for unity. First National Convention 
 of reunited Hibernians 114 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 The Boston Convention. Father Phillips supports the letter and 
 its sentiments from Bishop McFaul iig 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 The priest again shows his unselfish spirit. He refuses to accept 
 a purse from his people and admiring friends when he 
 thought they could ill afford to contribute after the strike 125 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Death of Father Phillips. The sad ending of a brilliant life. 
 The announcement of the finding of his dead body shocks 
 the country 132 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 The funeral. Impressive ceremonies in St. John's Church, 
 Pittston. The burial spot 140 
 
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