Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1881-06-11

mountain, and leave the currents Of
air to be moved by natural law-trap
doors aud brattices being unnecessary
appendages,
Another false idea that has got
hold of the public mind is that shall
low mines like ours is easier ventilated
than deep ones common sense ought
to teach that where furnaces are used
to produce ventilation the deeper the
upcast shafts the better, because this
gives rise to longer upright column
of hot air, and so causes a greater
ventilating pressure and consequently
Erisker ventilation. The question
has been asked why is it that there is
not enough Of pure air in our mines ?
1t is not because of short supply.
Silence has demonstrated how il can
be utilized for the benefit Of the min
err. In this age Of steam when the
commercial interests Of tho world do
ponds so much upon the products Of
his labor, what claims has society
against him that he is refused suffi-
cient supply Of the heavenly fluid from
natures OVERLOOKING store house,
and only wants to be conducted into
his dangerous subterranean work
shop.
1t il an established fact that the
best ventilated mine is the most eco
nomically worked and the most profit
able, as men woI king by the day can
always dc more work. What is
wanted in the mines is more brains
and less ignorance.
There has been thousands, yes, tens
OF thousands Of tons of our big vein
lest in our mics in the last twenty
i've years on account of inadequate
ventilation, all of which is dead loss
to the parties having their money in
vested Nothing causes dissatisfac-
ton quicker among miners than lad
air; there is scarcely day passes
without l hear complaints, about
black damp in some of our minee
Now, what can l do under the ex St
ing law and present mode of ventila'
ton ? Nothing; and well do the
bosses know it.
This being the situation, what is the
duty of the miners in the two coun.
ties =? is q question for themselves tc
decide. II you want the law amended
you muat not depend alone upon the
recommendations of the Inspector
Every miner must put his shoulder tc
the wheel-republicans, democrats
and grsenbackers all require fresf
air alike, and they must stand shout
der to shoulder at the ballot box, an6
elect delegation that understand
Just what you want. The time is fast
approaching when the blue-papel
politicians, some of them from your
own ranks, will be willing to sacrifice
their own interests to serve the State
with promises and pledges enough t.
sink y-boat. But much will de
pend upon the ability of the delega.
ton to be sent to Annapolis mex
winter, let the camp-6res be rekindlet
and council of war called for thu
purpose of determining who shall b
the men to represent you |? They
ought to be atle men-men who have
the ability and nerve to stand BY
your interests In the legislative tody
of the State. All hands ought tt
turn out to the primaries see tina
those men are nominated in the con
ventions, and then it becomes every
miners duty to work for their cleo
ton.
In the meantime | would sugges
the necessity of committee of cen
ferance with me at an early day fol
the purpose of exchanging views upol
the am endments contemplated to thu
law. l do assure the miners of thu
region that l will do my part to thu
best Of my ability. Hoping that they
will see the necessity Of dong their 8
l am determined to keep this subjec
before them, let the result be what il
may. Yours, THOMAS Brown.
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