Frostburg mining journal., 1880-07-10

pEuoshCoi du1 Bonc auu idlu bue Cll-
cumstances in full before the Super
intsndept, instead of quitting work as
they did. From all the evidence that
I have been able to get regarding the
smashing up of the cars by the dis
charged driver, Close, I am of the
opinion that he did everything he
could, with safety to himself, to pre-
vent the mishap. I also learn that
his qualifications as a careful driver
are unqusstioned on Georges Creek.
And from what know personally
of the Superintendent as a prac-
tical miner I cannot believe that
he would ask any man to jeopardize
his life for the sake of horse or cars.
The driver would be fool if he did,
even if the Superintendent did re-
quire him to do it. All that can be
asked Of a driver is to be as careful
and cautious as he can in handling
the company's property, the company
meanwhile providing him with good
brakes and sufficient number Of
sprays. Then if accidents happen,
as happen they will, to horses or cars,
the only alternative left the company
is to put up with them, as there is
no perfect security for the life of eth
or man or horse in a coal mine. If
the loss financially to the company is
great for the one, the loss to the par
ties depending on the other for their
daily bread is greater.
But if, on the other hand, the
driver wilfully destroys the company's
property he ought to be discharged
at once, and any body of men that
sustains him are doing an act of gross
injustice not only to their employers
but to themselves. There is no doubt
there have been cases in our mines
where the drivers have both killed
horses and mashed up cars, but they
have been exceptions, not the rule.
In a majority of our mines the
grades are so heavy that it takes
stout young men to perform the duty
of a driver, and my experience
amongst them is that they are an in
telligsnt, civil, social and obliging
class Of men. not likely to destroy
any persons property. Of course |
do not expect to see many of them
occupying the pulpit, as I have never
believed that putting young man to
drive q blind horse or stubborn
mule in coal mine was the proper
place to train his mind for holy cal
ling. And taking into consideration
the abuse they have to stand from
some of the boss miners in the shape
of the Greek language thundersd into
their ears, and the Latin they are ac-
customed to use to the four-footed
brother in their charge, along with
lifting of cars on the track, etc., |
have come to the conclusion that the
driver in our coal mines earns his
wages and his life is not so enjoyable
as a bishops.
In conclusion, few words to the
officials of our coal corporations.
Having granted them the right to
discharge whom they please, let me
say that the great evil of that power
and privilege is the abuse of it. 1t
is a we'll known fact to you all that
there is turbulent, hot-headsd ele-
ment amongst all classes of men,
among none more than miners, and it
takes all the wisdom and judgment of
the more intelligent and conservative
element to manage them. For exam
pie, some trouble arises between you
and the miners; the hot-head is in for
using the old weapon, a strike. The
more cautious and conservative miner
opposes Q strike and wants to reason
the matter with you. This man is
overruled by circumstances which ne
cannot control. The strike takes
place; the turbulent hero before long
feels his stomach yelling for something
to eat, like young jackdaw, or else
he is away to some other mine work
ing under the same grievances that he
went on strike about, and supplying
the market by his labor with rival
commodity. He still damns and
curses you and shifts the respon-
sibility upon the shoulders of his
conservative brother, while the latter
is standing his ground, expressing
his opinions openly about the justice
of his demands and saying nothing
about your personal character. The
strike is lost; the hot-headed gentry