The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1881-01-06

rious accidents has been greatly reduc-
ed. The ore-mines Of the State, which
heretofore have been worked by strip
ping" are now being pushed under
cover and operated like coal mines.
The provisions of the mining law should
therefore be made to apply to ore
mines. Many Of the provisions
of the mining law contain no penalty
for violations and the law should be so
amended in this regard. There are in
the State 600 mines, one-half Of which
should be inspected at least once in
each year, and some oftener. To prop
erly and fully inspect mine requires
the greater portion of day, and as the
inspector has no clerk or assistant, and
is required to give considerable time to
office duties, the impossibility of Civ"
ing an inspection to every mine must
be apparent. An assistant or clerk
should be provided by law.
Labor Statistics.
The report of the Commissioner notes
the improved condition of mechanics
and laborers engaged in the various in
dustries of the State. Wages have in
creased, and in the leading industries
the number of employees has been
largely augmented. In the manufac-
ture of pig-iron the number Of employ
es has increased from 5,153 in 1878 to
0,796 in 1880, and in the rolling mills
theincrease has been 5,400 in 1878 to 10
746 in 1880. In other industries the IN
crease Of employees has not been so
marked, but the increase Of employ
ment to all connected with the indus
try is matter of congratulation. The
increase of employment in the old
manufactures is supplemented by the
erection of numerous manufacturing
establishments, especially glass-houses,
potteries, paper-mills and blast furna-
Ces.
A chapter is devoted 10 q history of the
labor troubles in the State during the
year, giving the particulars, as far as OBJ
tainable, of 105 strikes; and the Commits
sioner again urges arbitration, not as
means of settling disputes, but to prevent
them. Attention is called to the contin'
ued use of store checks, scrip, &c, in
payment of wages, contrary to State laws.
A list of the steam boiler explosions in
the State for the year is given, and the
recommendation again made for a law to
prevent the employment Of unexperi n
Ced or incompetent persons to take
charge of steam boilers in manufacturing
establishments.
Encouragement to those desirous of
organizing co operative manufacturing
and mining companies is recommended.
The passage Of law recognizing and
governing such organizations is the en-
couragement deemed necessary.
A chapter of the report is devoted to
the information secured in reference to
the employment of children under the
age of fourteen years. contrary to the
School Laws of the State.
ExTRADITIoN.
Inasmuch as the Grand Jury has been
dispensed with in some states; and in
lieu of indictment, information by the
Prosecuting Attorney is presented to the
Court, suggest that section 95 of the
Revised Statutes be amended, by prOvid-
ing therein for the surrender OF fugitives
upon duly attested copy of an informa.
tion. Instances have occurred wherein
fugitives have been discharged from Gus,
tody by Judges before whom they were
taken for examination, because our stat.
utes recognize only indictments and
complaints.
RAILROADS AND TELEGRAPHs.
The report of the Commissioner Of
Railroads and Telegraphs show large
increase in the busineas of the railroads,
a decided improvement in their condi.
ton, with large increase of equipment,
and general degree of prosperity never
before equaled. With few exceptions
they have promptly responded to the re-
quirements of the law in furnishing sta
tistics thus required, and they have, with
a commendable spirit, complied in all re.
spects with the provisions of the stat
utes. Present freight rates are not bur.
densome, yet, in some localities dlscrim.
nations are complained Of The Consol.
idation of and control thus secured by
the great trunk lines causes some alarm,
especially among the agricultural classes
and suggestions are made for legislative
action, to prevent exorbitant rates and
unjust determinations.
The Office of Commissioner of Railroads
and Telegraphs, in view of the enormous
interests involved, and the possibilities
that legislation may become necessary to
protect the people from the payment of
exorbitant freight rates, and from unfair
and unjust determinations, is, indeed,
an Office of great importance, and should
have better support. The salary of the
Commissioner should be increased, and
he should have the means to employ an
efficient engineer to aid him in the dis
charge of his duties.
INSURANCE.
The subject of insurance, involving
many interests and hundreds of millions
of dollars is entitled to the earnest con-
sideration of the General Assembly. The
existing legislation on this subject is in
congruous and crude; notably 30 is that
relating to mutual insurance, causing
much difficulty 10 it's Interpretation and
application. l respectfully suggest the
appointment of committee of five per-
sons, one of whom shall be the Commits
sioner of Insurance, two of whom shall
be men especially learned u on the sub
ject of Life, and two upon Fire Insur
ance, who shall report to this General
Assembly what legislation they shall
deem necessary upon this subject.
The Insurance Department is not only
selfsustaining, but, since its organiza-
tion, has annually paid into the Treas
ury about $8 900 in excess of all expen-
ditures, collected in fees from the Insur-
ance companies by the Superintendent.
In Ohio the Superintendent and staff
have less compensation for their services
than is paid by other states. The COM