Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1877-02-03
First Annual Report Of Peter
Cain, Mine Inspector for
Allegany and Garrett
Counties.


To his ErceReney John Lee Carroll, Goeerno,
Of Aaryland::
As required by Sec. S, Of the act o.
the General Assembly of Maryland o.
1876, chapter l73, respectfully sub.
NIT to your Excsllsncy this my FIRST
annual report as Mine Inspector for
the Counties of Allegany and Garrett
in the State of Maryland.
After having qualified by taking
the required oath, I entered upon ths
discharge of my official duties on the
first day of May last
Preparatory, however, to an inspec-
tion of the different mines in the
counties abovs-named, delivered tc
the several officers in charge of the
mines, copy Of the act of Assembly
of 1876, providing for the appoint
mont Of Nine Inspector, and under
which l was so appointed-snd also
blank tabular statements, with re-
quest that the same be filled up as
therein suggested, and returned to me
within reasonable time. Ny pur-
pose in so doing was to acquaint all
parties with whom l had necessarily
to deal, in the discharge Of my official
duties, with the requirements Of the
law and the duties imposed upon me
thereby.
Naturally enough the appointment
of a Mine Inspector for Allegany and
Garrett counties was viewed with
some little distrust, as well to the
manner in which the duties of the
Mine Inspector might bs sperformed as
also the scope and extent of the au-
thority conferred upon him by the
act of the Legislator creating that
office.
In view of this fact it suggested it.
self to me that the best explanation
that could be given in regard thereto,
would be a copy of the law itself
and hence l furnished to each mine a
copy as above stated.
Heretofore there had been, as far as
l can learn, no Legislation in Mary
land in regard to the inspection Of
coal mines, the regulating of the mode
of vsntilating the same, ETC., and no
restriction of any kind imposed upon
those In charge thereof, further than
that prompted by interests of owners
themselves, and the successful and
profitable prosecution Of mining coal.
Of late years, however, the great in
crease in the number of men employ
ed in the coal region here-the large
and rapidly increasing interests grow
ing out of this vast trads-has direct
ed attention to a more careful and uni
form system of mining and has sug-
gested the propristy and necessity for
the enactment Of laws, looking as we'll
to the protection of the health, safety
and lives of the miners, as to the vast
interests represented by the coal trade
of these counties.
The enactment Of any law, however
equitable and just, affecting the coal
interest and the management Of the
mines, vas not looked upon with
favor, and to some extent was re-
garded as an encroachment upon the
rights of owners and producers of
coal, and an improper interference
with private rights and antagonistic
to the interests of the trade gener-
ally.
The passage therefore of the act Of
1876, chapter l73, was regarded with
but little favor at first, until its wise
and humane provisions came to be
discussed and understood and the
scope and intent of the whole law
were fully comprehended.
The ample power, too, given to the
Mine Inspector, under the act Great
ing that Office, gave rise to come un-
easiness also in the minds of operators
in COAL SO that at the close Of the ses-
sion Of the Legislature, Of l876,it might
be truthfully asserted that the act Of
1876, chapter l73, had few friends
among the coal owners Of Allegany
and Garrett counties.
Knowing these facts and being
aware of these existing dispositions
towards the law just passed, it sug-
gested itself to me that it would be
ijudicious and proper to acquaint all
| parties in interest with the provisions
Of the law, in advance Of my entering
actively upon the discharge of my
official duties.
TIL, T d;J h,, oaryica of tba copios