The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1891-08-21
FREE LABOR WINS AGAIN.
Peremptory Orders Given to Remove
the ConviCts at BriceviIIe.

lOhlONCb lAOAh DAlCONlllCs ullu ~ ID
if they will ever return,
says a Nashville special, August 10.
They iblyremoved twice
recently by free labor, and now the
State officials have ordered their re-
moval.
The State board of mine inspect
ors decided on this action because
Of gross violations of the mining
laws, the horrible unsanitary con-
dition of the mines, and inadequate
accommodations for the health and
safety Of the convicts.
This action, it is thought, will
have a most beneficial effect in
quoting free labor, as it shows that
the State officials will enforce the
law against one as quick as another.
Even if the necessary repairs are
made at the mine it is not thought
that the convicts will be taken back,
as both sides to the contract are
understood to be dissatisfied.
The action Of the board was TAX
en- only after the fullest investiga-
ton. Some days ago the inspect
ors were informed that the mine
was being operated in violation Of
the law. Commissioner Of Labor
and Inspector of Mines Ford was
thereupon ordered there to inves-
tigate, and he did so and reported
that the mine which is operated by
the Tennessee Coal Mining Com
pany had only one shaft, while the
law requires at least two distinct
means of ingress or egress, separat-
ed as far as $50 feet; that the CON-
pany has never furnished a map, as
is required by law; that the condi-
ton of the mine is such as to rem
der human life insecure, and this
is aggravated by the neglect Of
those in charge to comply with pre-
scribed precautions; there is much
standing water in the mines through
which convicts have to wade; the
roof in many places is not adequate
ly supported and is a constant men.
ace to life and limb; the require.
ments of the law concerning VENT
lation are completely ignored, i'm
pure, stagnant and poisonous ali
filled the mine; the movement o.
the air is so light as to escape detec
ton by the most delicate instrrl
ments; children under twelve ar,
employed to guard the air entranc,
, in violation of law, and free an(
convict labor work together indis
criminately.
Upon receipt of this report, tn,
inspectors made personal investi
: cation and comfrmd the above re
/ port. The facts as stated were lai,
7 before Acknowledgement Pickle
who informed them that they ha,
} ample authority to summarily OF
der the removal Of the men.
r Thereupon the board of inspect
, ors adopted a resolution citing tn
: above facts and ordering the ward
+ en- in charge of the branch priso
at Briceville to Immediately sto
= the conyicts from working in sal
= mine. Further, that the lessee b
} notified to have the convicts imme
. diately removed from the mine an
5 branch prison and taken to tn
= main prison or some other branc
+ where they can be properly worked
7 humanely treated and cared for.
} The board further adopted res
olution thathereafter convicts sha
: not be placed OF kept by lessees i
g other than the accustomed place
: now established and operated a
e branch prisons without first givin
4 notice to the inspectors and Obtain
{ ing their permission.
= It is stated as a matter Of ga,
J. that things are so loose at Brio,