Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

8 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
Eiii'LOYMENT IN Mixes.
The cmplo3'ees in coal mines are handled so as their labor shall realize
the largx'st amount of profit to the employer, and this at the risk of life and
limb, consequent upon the diversity of their labor, besides the danger to
be encountered in working in deep mines that are so often idle that, from
standing gas, decay of timber, the absence of proper ventilation, and standing
water, not only makes the mine unsafe but virtually dangerous. It is
practically demonstrated that mines and machinery that are kept constantly
in operation are much safer than those that aie only kept temporary in use.
In mines that generate large quantities of gas, and have a large force
employed, say 400 persons, it can not be expected this force to be so well
•organized as to strictly conform with the rules of the colliery, because their
occupations and interests are so different that, to gain a temporary advantage,
their fellow workmen's lives, as well as their own, might be sacrificed
hj the merest mishap. No amount of practice can warrant a miner security
at all times.
Experience stimulates him to acts of daring, and would think it folly in
him to become intimidated by the appearances of things around him, not
timely reali7Jn^ the consequences that would result in death. There is no
amount of human knowledge, however practical, that can detect the different
dangers hidden from view, and not until the stroke of death is delivered
and received can the victim of an accident of this sort realize his misfortune,
though he be ever so much burthened with care and responsibility.
Tie having no other choice of employment than working in the mine for
his support, surrounded on all sides by threatening dangers, however much
he may be at fault on some occasions, yet his condition should meet with
public T?ympath3'. ITiS occupation as a miner at best is but a temporary uncertainty,
and in some cases but little better than semi-slavery, because by
his occupation, from habit he becomes inured to a life dependent on his
employer, and gradually submits to the drudgery of the mine, having no
higher ambition for any other field of usefulness ; and succeeded in the
same calling by his children. But were it not for the social impressions
he receives from his association with his fellov/ workmen his life would bo
extremely burthensomc.
Nevertheless, miners in general are full of rare courage and kindheartediiess,
cultivated b}^ their mutual intercourse with each other, as shown in
times of dreadful accidents occurring in the mines, to see with what alacrity
and resolution they enter in and approach those horrible dangers to
relieve their fellow worknaan, where the outside world would be appaled
•with terror at the sight of those dangers. Then to see with what sublime
courage they will risk their own lives and all interests most dear to them
in aiding and relieving those of them that may be in distress. While the
greater th.e danger may be the higher the order of courage they display,
even to abandonment of self-safet3^ No pen can describe nor properly explain,
to those who are not accustomed to mine horrors, no more than a
faint portraiture of the intensity of the agony and sufierings of the miner
who falls a victim to explosions of gases, and crushes of coal and rocks,
not noticing the unfortunates who fall through rollers and shafts, etc., and
the misery which these numerous casualties entails upon already very indigent
families is beyond my desire to describe ; as my observations are
founded upon facis 1 am impelled by a sense of justice to bring this subject
to your notice in connection with this report, hoping that all proper and
honorable efforts will be made that may be conducive for the security of the
lives of this class of citizens.