The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1870-01-13

+ uus I-bitt from tue ascending EpaFEzL0r
+ from the heat of the furnace, anl a eonfa
1 erafion ensue. To guard against this. it
I should be made obligatory, If the gert;la-
ting furnace be still allowed, to build tho
/ ehimnieS, the sides of the shaft. ani the
buildings surrounding il at the tep With in-
/ eonbustille materials But even this re-
/ caution is not a sure safeguard, for the FIRE
I u liable. at any moment. 10 communicate
with the FIRE damp or other gas.e US va
pors, that, despite of all Known means cf
4 prevention. viii generate in the hest Iegula-
ted mines. The propIiety OF dispensing en-
/ tlTely, therefore, With the furnace, has re-
/ celved the serious consideration of scientific
/ miners and engineers, and the fan in that
/ instance, has been substituted, which being
/ worked by machinery at the surface, pro
/ duces more constant current Of sir dis.
4 penses it more freely through the gangways
and chambers, and, in all respects, accom-
/ plishes the object desired with better effect;
| and when the shafts and surface buildings
are fire proof, without the possibility of dan
ger. This system of ventilation, With ad-
/ yantages so palpably obvious, will, no doubt,
/ be universally adopted, But the very ma
( tnre Of mining operations sutj-cts them to
/ other dangers. The walls and roofing of the
/ mines, from the effects OF blasting and 9TH
/ er causes, frequently give way aud gil up
/ the cangWays so as 10 render them in aassa-
/ bic, as in the more recent calamity at Stock
/ ton which resulted in the death of ten per
/ sons. Hence it Is absolutely necessar2, and
/ should be imperatively demanded. that
every mine should have more than single
avenue of lngTess and egress, Whether as
regards fire, or any other source Of danger
4 10 which the miner is exposed. this is his
surest promise Of safety Whatever sys-
/ TEN OF ventilation may be approved. or
4 safety lamp adopted, the means of escape
/ from the mines, when danger occurs, VIII
/ depend very materially upon the provision
made tor the exit of the nliner
! The best method of constructing, ventila
ti0r and working the mines, should be un-
i hfsitatiugly adopted and the system aiont.
/ ed rigidly enforced The inquiry. therefore,
/ into the causes which produced this shock
/ iDg catastFophe-the various theories that
have besn promulgated concerning it, the
remedies for the prevention of similar oc-
currence beresfter, the construction and
+ ventilation of collieries, and the modes of
conducting their operations 20 that the ep-
/ eratlves may prosecute their labor without
/ lmperiIllng their lives, arr proper subjects
! for legislative cor deratioa.
Z Such laws a. you may enact can most GER
tainly be enforced By competent inspectors
IN The mining districts. who should be cho-
sen with strict regard to character, integri-
/ ty, eapablity and scientific knowledge and
whose duties should be SO specifically de-
/ fined that they cannot be misunderstood.
/, therefore, most respectful sn1 earn
t estly recommend that this whole SUI ject re-
! eelve the attention its Importance demands,
aud that a law be passed 50 general in its
! aasfa
+ that the people of this Commonwealth will
never again be appalled, hy calamity with
in her limits, 50 sad as bat of Avondale.
Board Of Pabljc Charitics.
j In accordance with an act OF the last Leg
( isla'ure, Board Of Public Charities has
been appointed consisting Of the folloEing
gentlemen, w Gen Thomas L. Kane, for
i've years: T. b. Penniman, ESQ, four
years: Hon, g. Dawson Coleman three
years; George L. Harrison, Esq, two years;
eaniz by electingg Gen. D. Kane, President,
and Hon. Wilmer WorthingtoD, Secretary
and General Agent From the establish.
m-Bt Of this board. and especially from the
high character and qualifications of the
gentlemen who have consented 10 assume
its important trusts and responsibilities, We
/ have reason to hope for the most beneficial
results. This change in the management
af our charitable affairs is deemed 0f the
highest importance by many persons int
mately coavtrSaGt with the workings and
management OF these institutions,
A thorough review of all the establish
ments receiving appropriations from the
I State by this board, will give an assurance
/ TO the Legislature and the people, which
! they have never heretofore possessed, that
tb.sr 10 ~ no. rod
/ and properly employed
+ Some time during the present session, tie
board will present to the Legislature, re
/ port of the condition and requirements Of
/ the various insti utloBs that have been re-
+ eipients of appropriations from The State,
with such recommendations as may be deem
ed necessary; aud, therefore, no informa-
+ ton concerning them, except the animal re-
ports of the superinteuGents, viii at present
I be laid before you.
Geological .Surrev.
Many prominent citizens have represent
ed that there exists great necessity for a
more complete geological and nineraIoeical
! survey Of the State than at present exists.
There is no doubt but the develupments
Of mineral wealth that would result from
such a survey would be immense, anl the
beneficial returns to the State would many
I times more than reimburse the Treasury for
| the expenses attend NJ it, including the
/ printing reports, maps, &c, Sufficient for
/ the information Of the people.
Should the Legislature concur IN these
/ views, and pass Ian authorizing such a
survey, il vii meet with Executive appIoy>
I al.
Inspection Of Gas.
At the last session law was passed ersa-
ting the Office of inspector OF gas aud gas
metres for the county Of A LEG heny; ard in
accordance theFswilh, | have appointed an
inspector passes ing the necessary scientific
qualifications,
The necessity for such law has been
4 long and extensively felt, and il has been
earnestly demanded by large nuuber Of
highly respectable citizens, whose opinions
are eminenty worthy Of consideration. |
therefore respectfully recommend that the
just and equitable provisions Of the ALE
chm county law be extended to ether coua-
ties in which gas is largely consumed
Rerisioa Of the Ciri} Code
The law on this subject does not conlem-
plate fnll report from the Commis, toner's
10 revise the general statutes of the State,
before the session Of 1871 1t may. how
ever, be important to state that this work
has so Tar progressed as TO make 1t almost
certain that it viii be completed and ready
for the press so soon after the close of the
present session as viii allow time 10 bring
within the code such of your enactments as
may with propriety be incorporated
The Commissioners vii report Tor your
consideration, the revised school laws, as
the present edition is exhausted, and it
would be inexpedient TO reprint them,
whtn they might be superseded by others
in the course of the current year
a general read law, and one fer the sup
noft aud maintenance Of the moor. have