The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1869-09-09
Tho AvondaIe Coal Mine Disaster.

The AvOndale Coal Mine Disaster.
Tho latest advices from the Avondale coal
mines at Plymouth, Pa, leave not hope
that one out Of over two hundred persons
who were In the mine at the time Of tho ire
has escaped. Enough has not been learned
At this time to enable US TO Judge by the ap-
pearancc whether their deaths were sudden
by sudocatlon or whether they were COM
PEELED to linger out their existence with
bare hope Of relief II Is fearful even to con-
template these two hundred beings thus
buried under ground beyond reach Of human
aid, with the foul dir Of the mine steadily
and with a remorseless irresistibility sapping
their existence. What were the thoughts
that flashed through their minds as they saw
their only exit from this living grave cut OF
by the hightful flames, which with savage
nerccness roared the doom Of those whom
they held as the prey for death. What Wis
Ions OF friends and home fitted before themi
What prayers were uttered; what VOWS
made; what signs Of grief; what shouts Of
anguish, and, perhaps, curses muttered, as
death In his most horrible form stood grin
ming before them, while the atrrighted
wretches huddled together, cowed by their
inevitable doom. Had one escaped, the re-
collection Of the terrible scenes surely would
have shattered his intellect. 1t was too hor-
rible to have been impressed upon q sane
mind.
Accidents In coal mines have fortunately
been rare In this country, and the occur
renee of this one will, without doubt, incite
great deal of discussion, and perhaps lead
to suggestions or legislation that will tend
TO prevent n recurrence of so terrible q
calamity. In this case 1t seems apparent
that every necessary precaution was out
rageously ignored. The life Of every human
being who entered this death trap was de-
pendent upon one shaft, through which all
communication with the world above was
had, through which they received the air
they breathed, and In the event OF any acci-
dent TO which their fate, as the recent event
has shown, was sealed. Beside this the shaft
was covered with sheds of the most COM
bustible material, which by the first spark
was thrown blazing into the opening, cutting
of every means of escape. One Of the tele-
grams stated that Ii was proposed to cut
o chamber through from an adjoining mine
which was but few feet from where
these victims were confined. II such could
be done as intimated In few hours, why
was not this trihlng labor performed before,
thus adding to the safety Of the people In
either miuel
It Is hoped that the lesson taught by this
terrible calamity will not DO lost, but that
there will be such a thorough investigation
OF the subject as will lead to steps that will,
as far as human foresight can go, prevent |
the possibility Of such another disaster. 1t
is more than possible that a full examination
may show that there are In connection with
our mines other traps which by good fortune
have never yet been sprung. Let us have a
investigation.
Tho New York Times OF yesterday con-
,ludes an article on the subject as follows:
dis not some legislative Interference called
or TO lessen the dangers inseparablc from
niulng, and TO avert as far as possible such
errors as that which 1t Is now our duty TO
"The leaye-alons principle, admirable as I
10, may DO pushed too far. selnshRess