Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-09-29
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BILL or Second READING

The following bill On second reading was
then taken up, agTeeably TO order:
House bali No 459, an act fer the better
regulation of mines and for the protection
Of the hyes ot miners, ID the county OF
Schuylkill
Mr COLEMAN. Mr. Speaker, this is a bill
that has cost me great deal of anxiety and
thought The general tenor Of the bill is
one that meets my appreciation, and ! sup
pose meets the appreciation of every citizen
of the State. | made an attempt the last
time It Was up 10 refer 1t back 70 the com
mIttee, IN order that parties on both sides
Tor / presume there are parties on both
sides Of the question: might have an oppor-
tunity to 60 before the committee aud be
heard 50 that bill might be prepared which
wouid really be what il processes
L feel myself entirely incompetent TO sug-
gest proper amendment TO this bill But
on this first section | will offer an amend
me3t 10 strike ont the words county OF
Schuylkil, and insert in lieu thereof the
words state OF Pennsylvania, so as TO
make 1t general | did think it proper 10
strike out the word anthracite and make
ii apply 10 the whole coal regions of the
State. and am not satisfied vet whether a
proper bill should not apply to the whole
coal region, bat perhaps this bin would not
be applicable 70 the bituminous regions.
Mr. Turner Mr. Speaker, nv district
has lot had an opportunity to consider this
subject much; at all events, | have had 10
petitions OF letters, or any word from my
constituents, IN relation TO Ii; and | would
prefer not 10 have that amendment added
until tny constituents can have an tIppersu-
nity to consider the bill | do nor know
whether Iny people desire It or not. / trust
a measure OF this kind win not be thrust
upon Luzerne county, without some desire
on her part is manifested TO have it. /
therefore hope the amendment, covering
Luzerne county, viii not be adopted
Mr.. WHITE Mr.. Speaker, If the policy
OF this bill Is correct, | believe 1t is, there
l. as much reason for making II applicable
10 the whole State-Ihat Is the whole an
thracite region-as there is for making ii
applicable 10 oae county. | certainly think,
upon this question, that We are establishing
a general principle.
viii merely take occasion TO say, that
the other day, when this bill was before the
Senate, ! deferred entirely to the Judgment
Of my friend, the Senator from Lebanon,
Mr.. Coleman who was not opposed to this
bill, as ] believe he Is not now. The only
purpose in having this matter laid over and
referted TO the committee was TO have a more
perfect bill, if possible. II seems now i'm
possible 10 have more perfect bill. Ii
seems that this bin has received the sanction
and appreciation OF that class of individua Is
whose lives and interests 1t Is to protect, and
In the absence of any proposition to amend,
IN order to protect all interests involved, ]
think it Is our duty TO pass this bill as We
find 1t, and take immediate action upon it.
But while We are doing so, am satisfied
that 1t Is the correct and proper policy to
make II a general law.
Mr. Turner. ] may be in favor of the
bill after having an opportunity 70 examine
the sentiments Of nay people. There Is
manifest propriety in the remark Of the Sen
ator from Indiana Mr.. Whitel, | admit,
bat | think il Is little rough treatment to
LuZerne county to force the bill upon them
until they ask Cor IL.
Mr. RANDALL | do not desire to force
the bill upon Luzerne. county unless the Sen
ator desires ii. There l. much more reason
for making 1t applicable TO Schuylkill than
to LUzerne Schuylkiil IS the oldest anthra-
cite region In the State; the mines are much
deeper there than in LuZerne, aud there are
many more accidents there. Still, ! have
no objection TO make the bill general, i
Senators desire it.
Mr. TURNER. We are all aware that the
mines in Schnylkiil county penetrate the
earth 10 q greater extent than those IN other
counties. the tunnels are longer and the
shafts very much deeper. Luzerne comfy
Is con 3paratively a new mining region. Per
sons should not be expected to imperil Their
lives from fire damp and the dangers OF the
mines when il can be prevented. But in
Luzernc county these dangers do not exist to
so great an extent as II Schuylki.L
Mr.. EgRETT- Mr. Speaker | would call
attention TO the nineteenth section Of this
1 bill, which provides that the salary Of the
inspector and his assistants shall be paid
out Of the treasury OF the commonwealth,
upon the warrant of the president Judge OF
only to SchuylkiIl county, the State should
not be required to pay these bills; if Ii is to
be made a State Office, then the expense
should be general, not local.
Mr.. 0sTERHoUT Mr.. Speaker, I think
the Senate of Pennsylvania ought TO pause
and look over this matter before we make 3
I bill of this character general bill There
! Is a large amount Of money invested IL
mines. The county Of Sullivan Is an i'm.
I portant coal district The people should
/ have an opportunity TO be heard, If such Al
! important bin IS to be made general
Mr.. WHITE Let me ask the Senator from
( Wyoming Mr. Osterbout a question Ar,
not the laborine men of Luzerne county a
much interested in the policy of this bin a
the Miners from Schaylkill county?
Mr.. OsTERHoUT. / suppose they are g
qually interested Yet, have the miners o
Luzerne county ccme here asking to have tn
bin passed for their beneft2 Neither tn
miners Of Luzerne county nor the operator
/ have been heard here. have had no time
al least have not taken the opportunity t