Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1870-01-14
,co,,;nn.a nom 1st page.)

avenue 0f inEress and egress, whether as I
regards FIRE, or any other source OF danger |
TO which the miner is exposed, this IS his
surest promise Of safety Whatever sys-
tenn OF ventilation may be approved, or
safety lamp adopted, the means OF escape !
from the mines, when danger occurs, yEili
depend very materially upon the provision
made for the exit Of the miner
The best method Of constructing yenttla-
ton and working the mines, should be IN
hesitatingly adopted and the system adopt
ei rieidiv enforced, The inquiry, therefore,
into the causes which produced this shock
ing catastrephe-the various theories that
have been promulgated concerning It, the
remedies for the prevention OF similar oc,
currence hereafter, the construction and
ventilation of eollierles, and the modes ol
conducting their operations SO that the OPP
eratives may prosecute their labor without
imperiipg their lives, are proper subjects
for legislative consideration.
Such laws as you may enact can most GER
tainly be enforced bY competent inspectors
in the mining districts, who should be eho-
sen with strict regard to character, integri.
~. capability and scientific knowledge aud
whose duties should be so specifically de-
fined that they cannot be misunderstood.
[. therefore, most respectfully and earn
estlv recommend that this whole subject re-
ceIve the attention its importance demands,
and that a law be passed, so general IN its
character and SO stringent IN It's provisions,
thas the people of this Commonwealth viii
never again be appalled, by calamity wIth-
In her limits, so sad as that of Av0ndale.
Board Of PlJlic Charities.
In accordance With an act Of the last Leg
stature, a Board Of Public Charities has
been appointed consisting of the following
gentlemen, viz Gen. Thomas j. Kane, for
Eve years; f. b. Penniman, Esq, four
years Hon G. Dawson Coleman three
years; George l.. Harrison, Esq two years;
and----, one year The board or
paaizad bg electing Gen Kane, President,
and Hon. Wilmer Worthington, Secretary
and General Agent From the establish
ment of this board, and especially from the
high character and qualifications Of the
gentlemen who have consented to assume
its important trusts and responsibilities, we
have reason TO hope for the most beneficial
results. This change in the management
Of our charitable atfairs Is deemed OF the
highest importance by many persons lnti-
mately conversant with the workings and
management Of these institutions
a thorough review Of all the establish
mcnts receiving appropriations from the
State by this board, will give an assurance
to the Legislature aud the people, which
they have never heretofore possessed, that
their benefactions viii be worthily bestowed
and properly employed.
Some time during the present session, the
board will present TO the Legislature, a re-
port Of the condition and requirements Of
the various Institutions that have been re-
with such recommendations as may be deem
ed necessary; aad, therefore, no informa-
ton concerning them, except the annual re-
ports Of the supeTintendents, viii at present
be laid before you.
Geological Surrey
Many prominent citizens have represent
ed that there exists great necessity for a
more complete geological and meteorological
survey Of the State than at present exists.
There Is no doubt but the developments
of mineral wealth that would result from
such a survey would be immense, and the
beneficial returns to the State would many
times more than reimburse the Treasury for
the expenses attending it, including the
printing reports, maps, &c, sufficient for
the Information Of the people
Should the Legislature concur in these
views, and pass law authorizing such a
survey, 1t will meet with Executive approx
al.
Inspection Of Gas.
At the last session a law was passed crea-
ting the Office Of inspector OF gas and gas
metres for the county Of Allegheny; and in
accordance Herewith, | have appointed an
Inspector possessing the necessary scientific
qualifications.
The necessity for snch a law has been
long aud extensively felt, aud it has been
earnestly demanded by a large number of
highly respectable citizens. whose OF mons
are amineHly worthy of consideration
therefore respectfully recommend that the
iust and equitable provisions of the ALE
sheny county law be extended TO other coun
ties in which gas Is largely consumed
ReUjsioa Of the Girl Code
The Law on this subject jes not eoHfem-
plate a full report from tile Commissioners
to revise the general statutes of the State,
before the session OF 1871. Ii may, how
ever, be important to state that this work
has so far progressed as to make it almost
certain that it will be completed and ready
for the press so soon after the close Of the
present session as viii allow time 20 bring
within the code such Of your euactments as
may with propriety ye incorporated
The Commissioners viii report for your
consideration, tie revised school laws, as
the present edition is exhausted, and it
would be inexpedient to re- print them,
when they might be superseded by others
IN the course of the current year.
a general road law, and one for the sup.
port and maintenance of the poor, have
heretofore been reported but not definitely
acted upon, aad the frequent demands made
Tor such enactments TO correct many exist
ing abuses, and supply a common public
want, render It desirable that these enact
ment should receive your early attention
The State census will be taken during the
year, and the law for It's regulation having
IN It some provisions not now required, a
revised bill viii be presented by the Com
misSioners for legislative action.
10 view Of the changes which the revised
code is expected to produce, it IS desirable
that no more laws Of general character be
enacted than Is iudispt usably necessary. as
they might occasion a necessity for a revi-
sion OF what has already received appropri.
ate attention, aad cause delay in the com
pletlOu Of the work
Statistics.
great convenience has long been felt 10
every department of the executive aud leg
Isiatlve branches of the government. for the
""ut p' p'opSl3g recorded Statistical 1nfOr-
nation, relating TO the development and
growth of the resources of the Common
wealth. Il is impossible for any State Off
Ger TO report the actual or even the approx
innate amount Of any Of our great natural
resources, and II cannot be ascertained from
year 70 year the amount Of coal mined, pe
troleum produced, lumber cut or iron man.
uiactured, without special reference TO those
who have charge Of the industries growing
out Of these products st very little cost
ana labor, statistics relating to aiitrese OBJ
iects could be gathered and annually en-
braeed 10 a report to be made h. and nnb-
Ished by the Legislature. The value Of
such Information would be Of inealculable
Importance in an official way, as well as in
the general business Of The country. IL
would stimulate competition, exhibit the in
exhaustible materials within our borders
and give our people and others, a more per-