Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-04-17

The verdict Of the CorOner's jury IN ref
erence TO the PocahOntas mine explosion,
seems to be receiving a considerable
amount Of adverse criticism. In exon
Grating the company from blame the jury
certified that the explosion was ''uneN-
pected. Unforeseen and unavoidable ana
il was somewhat fulsome in praising the
company for its efforts and appliances for
preventing such a catastrophe.
This verdict seems not 70 have made
favorable impression on those who heard
the evidence at the inquest. and who were
familiar with the condition Of the mine
and the management Of the company pre-
vious 10 the explosion. II is claimed that
there was gas in the mine for a month BE-
fore the great catastrophe, and that il
existed in such quantities as to alarm the
more experienced miners and cause many
Of them 10 leave the employ Of the CON-
pany. 1t is even charged that men had
been burned 10 death by ire-damp in this
mine previous to the explosion, and that
after blasts were fired long tongues
OF blue flame would dart through
the mine. II Is alleged that the engineer
who ran the train into the mine would
frequently uncOuple his engine and run
out because 1t fired the smoke" Mining
experts allege that all this was owing 70
defective ventilation, the fans used being
Of the rudest kind, and the various ave-
nues and openings in the mine not being
% arranged as to secure the free circu-
lation OF the air and the driving out Of the
| fre-damp or gas. Probably the most i'm
| p0rtant charge against the company is
that it had no gas men in il employ to
warn the inexperienced miners Of danger.
Although this catastrophe was one Of
the most destructive to human life in the
| history OF mining in this country, it may
| BE- said that there is very little in the YER
dict Of the jury to interest other sections
| Of the country. The question Of the liza
| bility Of employers in this case and those
Of a similar nature is one Of great i'm
| pOrtance. The verdict Of a CorOneTs Jury
not being the subject of judicial review,
| can only be criticised and it, errors cor
rected by the verdict Of the general public.
1t i true that Coroners' juries are not
| always inclined to make fun and complete
| investigations in cases where the respOn-
sibIe parties are powerful and influential,
even where they are competent TO do so.
/ In cases Of disasters Of this kind. as we'll
a. shipwrecks. ETC.. there is too much dis
| position to saddle the blame upon proyi-
dence. There is more Importance attach
| ing to inquests than most people think,
and Coroners and Coroners' juries should
b. intelligent, fearless and experienced
men-men who know what Is required Of
them, and who Will not hesitate to do it.
|
1t is stated that Queen Victoria pre-
Yious to setting out for Darmstadt Tues
! day. to attend the marriage OF her grand
daughter, was oppressed with nervous
horror on account II the recent dynamite
| developments. The most extraordinary
precautions were taken to guard her per-
son throughout the journey. An extra
force Of scntries were placed all along the
| carriage road from Windsor Palace TO the
station, and at the various stations on the
railroad, while a pilot engine preceded
the royal train, and several high railway
officials were stationed in the engine and
coaches The royal yacht Osborne at
sheerness. on board which the Queen
slept Tuesday night. was strongly guard
ed by responsible officers, and the harbor
and Midway river were thoroughly
| patrolled by police boats. From this It
| would appear that the head Of royalty
does not rest much more peacefully in
/ England than in Russia.