Rhoades Presents Resolution Recognizing Former Railroad and Mine Workers

HARRISBURG -- Sen. James Rhoades (R-29) presented a resolution today to Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH) National President Ned McGinley. The AOH is the largest Irish Catholic Fraternal Organization in the United States.

The resolution recognizes the lack of due process for arrest and prosecution of several workers in the late 1800s.

Rhoades noted that from 1876 to 1878, 20 mine and railroad workers were jailed and 22 were hanged for alleged crimes against coal mine owners. The investigations and prosecutions were conducted by representatives of the mine and railroad companies, and the judges often had close ties with the railroad and mine companies. The workers also faced witness intimidation and entrapment used to accumulate evidence.

"These trials from jury selection to the trial judge, was a travesty of justice," Rhoades said. "The rights of these workers were virtually non-existent, and it is important that we recognize the injustices they faced."