Owyhee semi-weekly tidal wave. [volume] (Silver City, Owyhee County, Idaho Territory) 1868-1869, 1869-04-30

nent III Ely idiu oPPoihSSN W NeS'
to the safety of human life in the
mines. Mr.. Beard has introduced
into the New York Legislature an
Act to provide similar security for
the coal mines of Wyoming Valley,
Schuylkill and Luzerne Countless
Quite as great necessity exists for
Mining Inspectors in the quartz
mines of Idaho as in the coal mines
Of England or New York. There
should be by law provision made
for a regular mining police to patrol
every shaft, stope and level from two
to four times every twenty-four
hours 10 see to it that no accidents
shall occur from the carelessness of
the workmen or righteousness OF the
proprietors.
The great fire in the Washoe mines
lately is a most striking proof of the
necessity for such an establishment.
Had an officer of the State or had
the proprietors been obliged to keep
a Waterman stationed on each level
no such fire could have occurred.
In England the law places more re-
strictions on the workings of the
mines than are necessary in the
United States. For instance, women
and boys under ten years of age are
prohibited from working under
ground, Inspectors have free access
TO all collieries at all hours day and
night, printed rules are exposed in
all the works, and as it is not known
at what moment the Inspector may
come and surprise any one who be-
comes careless, the rules are strictly
complied with and accidents are of
very rare occurrence. Among the
rules thus enforced are those requir-
ing AN adequate amount of ventila-
ton in all the collieries and iron
stone mines to dilute and render
harmless the noxious gases. In all
places not being worked where pois-
onous gases exist fence is required
to prevent parties from exposing
themselves to their influence. No
open lamp is allowed in any mine
containing innammable gases. All
a;r-shafts, pits and other dangerous
places are required to be fenced in
under heavy penalties. No shaft,
drift or stope shall be left without
being we'll timbered, curbed and
Jagged or otherwise made secure.
Free, easy and rapid means for sig
nails in and out, and between the
different parts of the works are al
ways to be kept up. Places of ref
uge at convenient distances must be
made on all levels. No single-linked
chain is allowed for lowering or
hosting any cage in which persons
travel. Fly wheels of all engines
are required to be fenced, ETC., etc.
The Secretary of State appoints In
Spectors and they are required to
appear and answer whenever an &C
cident occurs, and if found to have
neglected their duties in the prem
ises they are Immediately removed.
Some such regulations as the long
experience of those conducting the
coal and iron mines Of England has
found necessary for preserving the
lives of those engaged in mining
will eventually have to be adopted
in the gold and silver mines of the
Pacific, and recent disasters prove
that these precautions cannot be be-
gun too soon. OF course all the
rules found necessary in the extern
sive works Of England will not be
necessary here at first, but such as
are imperatively demanded for the
protection Of life should he at once
adOpted.