The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-30
MINING ACCIDENTS

ought to command more attention from
the authorities as well as mining operators
and employees than they do. in order thai
more effectual means might he adopted to
guard against their rccufrr,.ce In quartz
mining districts lives are 50 often lost that
miners seem to regard accidents with the
utmost Indifference. The same may be sai
OF other mining industries. Yet one would
naturally think that human life is too prec-
ious to be lost without the exercise OF the
greatest precautions which skill and inge.
nuity suggest to preserve it. Such fatal
disaster as recently hapi~'..tl at Nanticoke,
near Wilkesbarre, in Pennsylvania, by
which more than Il score OF Industrious
men were entombed in coal mine.
followed so quickly by another OF
greater magnitude in Wales, whereby ut
least one hundred miners were hurled into
eternity by an explosion OF gas in coal
pit. surely ought to excite i; desire for
greater security among those engaged ut
such hazardous employment. Not only
should miners be aroused to Il sense OF the
imminence OF their own danger, but the
peoples sympathies, everywhere, ought to
be excited for them. Decisions OF courts,
SO lar as master and servant-employer
and employe-are concerned have been car
rled to such an extent. all over English
speaking countries, as to almost entirely
relieve masters from any responsibility for
the safety Of lives or limbs OF servants
while in their employ. For this reason an
n 70 nlr ho.
damages in case Of loss OF limb, nor his
family in case OF death, except in the most
extreme case OF negligence on the part of
his employer and not even then if it was
within his power to guard against the
accident, or if it was the result of any cause
likely to occur in the prosecution OF the
work he was engaged at. The principle laid
down in these decisions is doubtless correct,
because it would hardly be just to hold an
employer liable for injuries to an employe
when the latter has, or ought to have. a
full knowledge OF the risks attending his
employment.
Danger to life and limb might be greatly
lessened, however, ii greater care was exer-
cised by employers and more precautions
taken by workingmcn. The recent terrible
accident in Wales, caused by an explosion,
was doubtless caused by gas or fire damp,
as it is known anoAg miners. Every coal
miner knows its explosive qualities. and
how much care ought to be taken when
entering such portions of mines where it
generates. Yet for some unaccountable
reason, except it begross carele ssness, men
supposed to place some value ON their lives,
and knowing from experience the great
danger that surrounds them, walk delber-
ately into chambers filled with this explo-
sive substance carrying unprotected lights
with them. Safety lamps have been in
vented which are said to be perfectly secure
Tor the use of coal miners, when working
where tire-damp is liable to exist; yet,
though they are supposed to be placed in
places for their use when re-
quired, nearly all explosions OF gas have
been caused by common lamps. In quartz
mines accidents are generally caused by
the roof or sides caving in and sometimes
by defective machinery, which every man
knowingly assumes before he descends i,
hence, not onlv he, but his employer also,
ought to exercise every precaution to avert
them.
Laws have been enacted IN England, as
well as in some of our States, intended to
prevent accidents. Under these laws addi
tional openings for ingress and egress to
and from mines are required; they also
prescribe IL system of ventilation to sup.
ply pure air and drive away fire damp,
and in addition, provide for what are sup
posed to be proper supports for roofs and
sides, chambers and gang ways. In Penn
sylvania inspectors are appointed for the
purpose of seeing that all precautionary
provisions against mining accidents are
strictly complied with. notwithstanding
this, accidents are OF as frequent occur
renee and attended with, it would seem,
grea ter loss OF life than before the passage
of the laws. How can this be accounted
for? Is it not because the State
inspectors are derelct in the discharge
OF their Duties, or is it to be attribu-
ted to greater carelessness on the part OF
workingmen in the mines? There is every
reason for believing that both are at fault.
Unless laws intended to protect the lives
and limbs OF miners are strictly enforced,
they might just as we'll be repealed, and
save the expense OF inspectors salaries and
if those who are continually in imminent
danger will not exercise proper care to
avert it, nothing can be done to promote
security in such hazardous labor.
1t is folly to say that the danger attend
ing mining cannot be lesser5tSs, even If it be
to be impossible tp effectualy
prevent it. 1t was formerly contende,l
that disasters resulting from explosions
and snagging OF steamboats, on the Missis-
Sippi and other Western rivers
could not be avcrted. Thirty-tvc
years ago newspapers daily chron-
icled steamboat accidents on those
rivers attended with great destruction of
life and property. These accidents b
came so common that travellers were con.
PEELED to shun water transit to some
tent. Finally Congress passed an act J.
posing severe penalties upon steamb'
OIlceTS lOI IeSllStDCc oI CdItleSo ColIA'''
and consequently, accidents in steamb"i,
ma vigation have, since that time, haJ
pened very rarely. Congress unfortuna;.'
" has no jurisdiction over mining mattr:;
outside of the Territories, otherwise as
eral law might be passed which would r.
Ter mining less hazardous. There is L.
reason, however, why Congress should hs
tate to legislate upon this matter for '"n
rerrit cries. for If through thier wisdom
n connection with that Of such ex-
oerts as they could call to their as
;istance, they should be successful in
passing an act that would insure yrea terse-
.urity to lives and limbs OF miners 1t is
.ighIv probable that States in which
mining operations are carried on, would
,nact similar statutes. 1t is highly neces-
ary that something should be done in re-
.ard to this matter without any further de-
ay Why do not mining corporations and
Individual owners call Il convention for the
purpose of deliberating and agreeing upon
ome feasible plan for shielding their em-
,loyes from danger. They, in conjunction
With committees appointed by con
,ention OF workingmen, could surely
accomplish some good toward removing