The Commonwealth. — 1866-12-22 (London, England)

LONDON, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 22.  THE LATE COLLIERY ACCIDENTS.  " WHAT has a colliery explosion to do with politics ?" Far more than most persons are inclined to imagine. When the Government consented to lie appointment of mine inspectors and gave ',Leal power to suggest and in a measure to control their working, it more than admitted the connection. Despite the let-alone system so ably preached by political economists, Parliament not only passes a factory act, by which the hours of labour are considerably shortened and the employment of child labour wisely regulated, but it Passed also an act prohibiting the employment of female labour in mining operations. Whatever may have been the result, there can be little doubt oF the laudable nature of the intentions which dictated the introduction and the passing of these measures. The reason why they have failed to entirely effect their object is, in all probability, still a matter of doubt and perplexity to those who laboured bard for their enactment. They thought they had barely to pass them to render them practically efficient; we saw then, and we still see, that no such laws can be thoroughly effective so long as the task of carrying them out is invested exclusively in the hands of men -whose interests are in open antagonism to the laws themselves, and those in whose interest they are made are rarely consulted and never permitted to decide on the judicious or injudicious nEture of the measures taken to render them effective, or the fitness or unfitness of the men appointed to do the work of inspection. It is our intention to withhold our judgment upon the two fearful calamities which have recently taken place until due inquiry has been made; but, in the meantime, we would earnestly direct the attention of all men who live by labour, to the necessity of renewed action in favour of the political enfranchisement of industry, if colliery and other nceidents are to be diminished. It has been whispered somewhat loudly that the perilous nature of the mine in North Stafford.hire was well known to both employers and ffinployed, and that pecuniary prizes were offered to induce the men to continue their work where cident, sooner or later, was certain to result. if this be true, the accident so-called reduces itself to murder, and the employers and their v.gents are proven accessories, and should be held reT3nsible for the lives destroyed. an over-worked pointsman neglect his duty be is liable to be tried for manslaughter ; if, through a neglect of duty equally culpable upon the part of a mine proprietor, a pit is allowed to remain full of explosive gases, shall the neglect go unpuni:hed ? and if, in addition to a proved knowledge of the neglect, the agents of the pro-i)rietor of the mine shall be induced to bribe men 'vitll additional pay to hazard their lives, in order that the net profits of the mine may be increased, ]al! such an act be allowed to go unpunished? It is one thing to allow men free scope in the eager pursuit of riches, and another to see that in their eagerness they do not fill the nation with sounds ,of wee and lamentation. If no law exist whereby