Year: 1877

known as 'Ine Miners Nentllatlon BILL


The miners largely petitioned the
General Assembly, of 1928 for relief,
representing that the condition Of the
large mines was such as to make it un-
healthful for human beings to labor in
them. They asked, therefore, that the
law making power Of The State give them
relief, by passing law requiring the
to so ventilate their mines as
to give the workmen pure air.


They also asked that an Inspector of
Mines be appointed, to see that the law
be carried out by the operators.


The miners told their own story in
their petitions that they were compelled
to breathe the foul air of the mines that
their health was affected, their lives
and premature death their
doom. Such appeals it was inhuman to
disregard but the Republican General
Assembly of those years was too subser-
Went to the influence of capital to obey
the voice ofpoor, toiling humanity.


In their appeals, the miners pointed
to Pennsylvania and other States where
relief had been given and where the
health and lives of the mining popula,
ton were guarded and protected.


Of course the capitalists were also on
the alert, and the operators beset the
Legislature, claiming it would be too ex.
pensive for them to put their mines in a
proper and healthful condition, and the
bill failed.


In 1874, however, Governor Allen
took his seat, and Democratic General
Assembly came into power. George L..
Converse was made Speaker ofthe House,
and Mr. Sherrick, one of the members
from Stark county, was placed on the
committee on "Mines and Mining Lands"


The committee, through its chairman,
at once introduced in the House the "Mi-
ners' Ventilation Bill" As soon as the
bill was printed, the wealthy operators,
with their hired and able attorneys, came
down upon the Legislature as formerly,
to defeat the measure. This time, how
ever, their efforts were not 30 sucCessful
Unbefriended labor found friend in the
Democratic majority, and no one was
a more earnest advocate than 'Mr. SHEE-
RICK.


The previous Republican Legislature
had taken the side of capital against suf.
fering humanity, but the Democratic
Legislature of 1874, animated by other
sentiments, pursued different course.
Mr.. SHERRIcK was the most active men,
Der of the committee, and met the argu-
ment of the operators and their attorneys
in the committee room; took the side Of
the miner, exposed the hollow claims Of
their employees, and thus aided greatly
in carrying the bill through the commit
tee triumphantly. At once the commit.
tee reported the bill back to the House
with the Recommendation that it pass
The bill came up for passage the next
week, and was discussed at length by
several members, Mr.. SherriCk being
one.


Mr.. Baker, of Perry, made the first
speech in its favor, and then followed
DR. Scott, ,otWarren, the Republican leader
of the House, who had been a member
of the House for fifteen years, and who
had resolved to defeat the bill. He set
up the claim that Warren county, which
he had the honor to represent, had NO
coal mines, and ought not to be burdened
with expense for the benefit of Stark and
other mining counties. He claimed his
county would derive no benefit from the
measure, and that they were indepen.
dent of the mining interest of the State
entirely. He argued the matter at length
and with all his art and ability.


Mr.. Sherrick, Of Stark, replied to Mr.
Scott substantially as follows:


Mr.. Speaker-I have the honor to rep
resent county in which there are iron
ore, and coal abundant; county, too
which adds to 0hio's wealth more agri'
cultural products than Warren county
dare boast of, Notwithstanding the pro
duction of her mines are second to none
in the State. But the question is not as
to which county produces coal, OF
which county produces none. The ques'
ton is higher and nobler one. 1t is
question of human happiness-a ques'
ton of human life. l cannot think il
possible that the member from Warren
county, who is generally noted for bis
broad and philanthrOpic views, would
seek to defeat this measure, simply be
cause no miners happen to live and la
Dor within the narrow limits of his own
county. 1t is the duty of the State tC
protect her citizens TO protect every class
of her people, eUen if Warren county dom
happen to be settled By that class. Why, sir
is there not bill before this body now
asking the State to protect the sheep of
Warren and other counties from the raw
ages of dogs that prowl by nightP And
can you not vote for this bill, which
seeks to protect human lives from the
ravages of disease, caused by the impure
air the miners are compelled to breathe
in the mines of this Slate at the present
timer


The member from Warren, in his re.
marks, seems to convey the idea that he
and his people would derive no benefit
from this mission. Does he forget that
the railroads. which span this country, on
which he glides with such great ease to
his home in Warren County, are the re-
suit of the production of these mines
Does he forget that this warm aud balmy
air which now in mid-winter fill this hall