New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-01-14
LEGISLATION EOR MLNERS.

In the recent Message of Gov Geary of Penn
sylvana each of the various suggestions Tor
the safety of miners that have from time TO
time appeared in these columns is mentioned
with approval A new bill is now before the
Legislature Of that State designed to effect re-
forms in the system of mining. 1t is OF con-
siderable length and although most OF its pro-
visions are excellent, it is expected to undergo
some changes and receive some additions be-
fore finally passing. We propose, in reviewing
it, 10 indicate where we think improvements
desirable and we sincerely hope that no OPP
position or interference of mne-Owncrs, such
as is threatened, will be allowed to weaken the
force of the bill or obstruct its passage.
There is authority and provision for Inspect
ors of Mines who are to report to the state,
and are not allowed to hold any interest in
mining property. Their duties arc facilitated
by competent assistance and the right OF for
chile investigation. They can be cited by petit
ton before County Court for incapacity or
negligence. The owners of mines must furnish
them with maps and plans Of mines, and par
ticulars ut intervals of abandOnments and new
workings. The inspection of steam boilers,
proceedings in case of accident, and restrc-
tions imposed on both engineers and miners in
the management and use of machinery, seem
to have been well considered. 1t may be nee
essary to render the miners subject to bylaws
made for their management by mine-owncTs,
and liable to fines to be paid to the County
in case of disobedience; but we should hesi-
tate long before granting any such powers.
There is to be an officer for each mine, known
as the mining Boss" who is to have entire
Il.
supervision of the mine, its working, yentIa-
ton, machinery, and safety-lamps. A part OF
the duties assigned to him, to be executed in
person or by proxy, may prove impractcable-
as, for example, to have the mine examined
each morning before the miners enter, and to
pass through it when they are leaving. Tins
Mining Boss is to be employed by the mine
owner. 1t would seem proper that such an
officer should be under the control of the State,
and should communicate directly with the In
spector of Mines. Several of the lesser require
mcnts deserve commentator; such as self
closing doors, safety-catches on the lifting
carriages, fanges on the hosting drum, and
speakng-tubes communicating with the surface.
The material of these tubes should have been
specified, rs, if made of tin, they will soon be
destroyed 10y damp.
In respect to means of ventilation, the fur
mace is deprecated and the fan approved. The
bill, it is to be hoped, will compel the substi
tuition of the latter for the former. There are
some good regulations about buildings at or
over the mouth of a mine, but the bill fails to
definitely require that these shall be constructed
of fire. proof materials The propping and tim
bering of the roof is left to any miner hav-
cling charge of a working place in any coal
"mine or coliery." AS neglect in this par
ticuar causes numerous fatal accidents, it
should be under the personal supervision of the
Mining Boss The best precautions of both
scientific and practical knowledge are required
in determining to what extent pillars of coal
left standing may be safely reduced; and how
tho support and ventilation of mines, or parts
of mines, in cases of either abandonment or
reOpening, may be best secured.
But the public will regard with especial in
tcrest the sections which require second shaft
to mines. 1t is to be hoped that the result of
legislation on this subject will forever prevent
a repetition of the Avondale disaster The
diminutlon of deaths among miners after the
passage of the Duplicate Shaft Act in Great
Britain is computed at twenty per cent
The bill before us seems, however, to exempt
from the operation of these sections mines where
less than twenty persons are employed. 1t
would have been better to determine the num-
Der of shafts by the size of the mine and
there is good authority for the opinion that an
additional shaft is required for each hundred
acres. AS high wages reduce the proportionate
number Of miners employed, it is evident that
any given number that may be proper limit
in England is likely to constitute an erroneous
standard here yet the act of Parliament from
which tho provisions of this section are proba-
bly, copied contains the same exception. 1t is
not easy to understand why protection should
be accorded to the lives of twenty -one miners
and refused to nineteen. British legislation
may have been based on the principle of Mr.
Lillyvick's barber, that it s necessary to draw
/" the line somewhere" but that is no reason
why we should blindy copy their example.
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There is something moro than a possibility
that the French Emperor may seize the oDnor-