| Workers meeting at the Harlan courthouse illustrated either the lack of resolve or the lack of ability which backed the governor's promise. On this day, deputies in the town unloaded tear gas into the courthouse in order to disrupt the meeting of the unionists. This violent occasion provided the officials with a convenient excuse to forbid even peaceful assemblies involving union miners or sympathizers. Accordingly, Sheriff Blair outlawed all coal miner assemblies regardless of purpose.
Another avenue through which the coal company abused the rights of the coal miners was through the political and legal institutions. Through the use of bribery, illegal ballot registering, and the armed patrol of mining guards at the voting polls, the coal company owners maintained exclusive control over the political life of the town's residents. Along with being unable to participate in the selection of politicians, the laborers were also denied any unbiased access to the court system. Only men who owned property were allowed to be jury members. Since all coal town miners were required to rent company houses, the coal companies assured themselves of a monopoly of interests in the judicial arena. Without the ability to serve on juries or to cast an honest vote for his choice of nominations, a coal miner was virtually rendered politically and legally impotent. |