Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-11-27
COAL MINERS AND COAL MINES IN
WEST VIRGINIA,

The advance sheets of the report of the
State Inspector of Mines FOR the year 1888
is on the REGIsTER's table. This is the
initial report of this State officer, the office
having been created by the last session OF
the Legislature 1t is volume ofover one
hundred pages, including the tables, and al
together appears to be very exhaustive
report on the subject OF mines and miners,
with all that pertains to them in any way
Among other things it includes an examina-
ton and a report of the condition OF every
mine in the State; as, for instance, the i'm
perfections, if any; the safety OF the walls
and ceilings; the condition Of the drainage;
casualties; output etc, etc.
Below are some of the more important
matter contained in the work and con-
densed for the information of REGISTER
readers:
EXTRACTS FROM THE INTRODUCTION
That the public may have some idea OF the
work TO be done BY an Inspector OF Mines
for the State of West Virginia, as the law
now stands, i submit the following:
lst. There are about one hundred mines
in which fifteen or more persons are en-
gagged as miners and consequently these
mines must be inspected once year or
ofteuer if necessary.
I'd. The Inspector must be furnished an
accurate map Of each of these mines, show
inp the progress of said mines to the first
DAYS ofJanuary and July of each year. II
such maps are not furnished by the opera
tors of the mines, it is the duty OF the In
spector 10 make such maps or have them
made. and if the operator refuses to pay for
the same, the Inspector has then to sue the
operator for the amount OF hls bill tor max
ing or having such maps made.
Sd. After inspecting q mine, aud then
carefully studying the maps otlt, the inspec-
tor must glve written instructions to the ope-
rator as to what is necessary to be done In
order TO remedy any defects that may have
been found in the ventilation, drainage, or
safety Of said mine.
4,6. The operator having been given
reasonable time, in which to comply with
the instructions Of the Inspector, he must
AGAIN visit the mine TO see whether or not
his instructions have been complied with
5th If the Inspector finds that ms IN
structions have not been complied with, or
thar the mine is not well ventilated, or not
well drained or that there are any dangerous
D;eces OF roof on the entries that are not
securely propped, or that there IS not kept
| AZ or near the entrance to the mine, o suth'
cient amount of timber, of the proper SIZE
and kind. to be placed therein, whenever II
NAV be necessary, to secure any loose rock
or coal overhead, in any part OF said NINE
| which may be in use, so as to prevent ln'
| Jury to the persons working therein tnen
| the Inspector must go before the grand jury
of the next circuit court OF the county, IN
which the mine is situated, and lndlct tae
onerator of such mine for violation Of the
law ON any or all the above points OF which
he may be culpable. -.
sball not, in this report, make any
"suggesiions as to the proper legislation re-
Ia,;6g m the mines" of West Virginia, but
viii submit to your Exeellency a special
report on that subject in time for the same
to be embodied in your message to the next
legislature.
| STATISTICAL.
| Total coal producuoh ol tue o'S'c
as per reports and estimated
Quantities, for llS mines. 2,SO5,566
Total quantity of coal shipped out
of the State. l,9Sl,ZIi
Quantity of coal used inside the
State by manufactures Of all
kinds. ........................'...... SZ5,Zit
Total quantity Of coal used inside
the te..........."..."........... o9ZOOl
Quantity Of coal eoked.............. 278.53i
Quantity Of coke produeed......- lI0,437
Quantity of coke used in the State 4l,OlG
Quantity of coke shipped oat Of
The State...............-.."... lzt,4zl
Total number Of employeesin and
about the mines. 6,394
Number Of mules and horses in
and about the mines.....-....-. "a!
Number Of casualties in AMI
about the mines-........-........ 81
Number Of fatal casualties in the
mines ....-....... ,......-....-...... IL
e \ IL L..