The Arizona sentinel., 1878-07-06
Reducing Miners Wages.
Written for the PRESS by H. D. l

Written for the PRESS by H. D.
 In responding to the demand for greater economy in the business of mining, some of the companies operating on this coast have sought to compass this end through a reduction of the wages paid their work men. It is not in this item of expenditure that reform is called for. The men who delve in our mines are not as general thing over-paid It is true, their wages in the interior districts seem high But every thing considered, they are not excessive. Travelling to and from these remote locali- ties is costly. Living there is expensive, and very rarely does the miner get steady employment. He usually works by the day and may at any moment be discharged, and once out of place it may be long tune before he gets another.
 Again, this vocation besides being un- certain and laborious is dangerous one, and it is only just that they who follow it should be paid for tlis extra peril In the course of time large proportion of all underground miners loose their lives or get 50 crippled and maimed that they can no longer follow their calling or even earn livelihood at anything else. The loss of eyesight or of an arm or a leg is a thing of frequent occurrence with those who sur vive the terrible accidents of the mine. Only few days since nearly POO workmen were instantly killed by an explosion in an English colliery, and scarcely day passes but some of these hardy men are killed or fearfully mangled in the mines on this coast, these -ccidents sometimes being the result of the criminal carelessness or the sordid parsimony of Superintendents or other agents of their employers. Surely something should be allowed these men for this increased percentage of danger so incident to this business.
 It is thought by persons unacquainted with the requirements of the occupation that almost any strong, able bodied man is capable of making a good subterranean miner. This is mistake. A man may possess the necessary strength and other corporeal qualifications, and yet lack the mental powers and aptitudes, without which he Is unfit for the business. To go down and toll in the deep, dark chambers of the mine requires nerve, courage and a capacity for endurance that few men pos sess. There are thousands who above ground could face any amount of danger undaunted that in the heated and suffocat- ing atmosphere of the mining pit would faint and give up or perhaps fall a victim to their fears on the slightest mishap There are men who could credltable head forlorn hope or desperately charge in battle, who could not climb the tall ladders nor descend the deep shafts of a mine without quailing. For engaging in pur- suit so injurious 10 health and so perilous to life the miners remuneration is little enough. How poorly would the most of us feel com pensated with his pay for going down into the gloomy and appalling abyss, and there inhaling the deadly gases, ex- posed to destructive explosives, toiling daily and nightly as he is forced to d.. To work under such hard conditions, with death impending on every hand, should certainly entitle the laborer to all addi- tional dollar or two per day.-Mining and Scientific Press.