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New Zealand Times, Volume LXVI, Issue 3261, 19 October 1897, Page 2

It is not at all to be wondered at that Austria is demanding from the United Statqs a heavy indemnity on behalf of the victims of the slaughter ordered by the Sheriff at Coleraine, Pennsylvania. The detailed accounts of the savage proceedings which have reached us in American papers show that there was not the slightest necessity for a display even of armed force. The men appear to have merely marched in a body to one of the mines, as crowds of strikers often march in London and other places, to draw public attention to the fact that they are banded together in support of their rights, the claiming of which is neither illegal nor improper. At least, that is how we are apt to view the matter where Britishers are concerned j but in “free” Republican America they appear to think otherwise. Early in the day of the shocking occurrence, a number of miners marched to the mines owned by one Calvia Pardee (the Hazel mines) and two of their number were arrested. The crowd then turned towards another mine, and when the men reached the edge of the town, marching ten abreast, they were met by Sheriff Martin and 70 of his deputies. The Sheriff halted the miners, read the Riot Act, brandished a revolver over his head, and ordered the crowd back. The strikers answered that they were not doing any harm, and began'to move past the Sheriff and his men. The deputies were ordered to fire, and when the smoke had cleare4 away it was found that eleven dead and 38 wounded were stretched upon the ground.

Bdt this was not the end of the dastardly business. Eleven fell dead in their tracks, but eight more succumbed, and a total of 41 were discovered to be wounded. There was naturally tremendous indignation at theponduot of the Sheriff's officers, and it is pointed out that the miners were not armed in any way, and that of those who were killed mary were shot through the back as they were flying from the guns of the deputies. The immediate result of the slaughter of these men was that thousands of miners ceased work the moment they were apprised of the fact of what had taken place, and the Sheriff and his men were arrested. There are some men who live under the protection of British law who are for ever railing against what they are pleased to term tyranny and oppression. They are for the most part

advocates of republicanism as opposed to monarchical rule; but if we are to judge by the constantly recurring acts of ferocity which are apparently sanctioned by the laws of the United States, we may be excused the hope that it shall never he our lot to change our own form of Government for that which fosters a system of savagery against unarmed then who do nothing worse than parade on a public highway.

In another column a correspondent draws the attention of the Government to the necessity which he claims exists for controlling the work in connection with blasting operations in mines or quarries. He is of opinion that proper apparatus should be insisted upon, and mentions a contrivance which would render accidents practically impossible of ocouirence. Instruction in the use of the electric machine and detonator mentioned by our correspondent might he given by the inspectors of telegraphs in the various districts, or an officer in connection with the Mines Department might be bidden to undertake the work. In the manipulation of these machines (dynamo exploders), when the key or ratchet is depressed, a current is sent through the wires and detonator to , the charge of dynamite or other high explosive. In the case Of powder, a fuse is used. Electricaldotonatorsandfuses have a short length of platinum wire surrounded with fleecy guncotton fixed to the two wires. When the current is passed through the circuit the platinum wire becomes red or white-hot and fires the detonating mixture in the detonators, ortho powder in the fuses. The working of the apparatus could be easily learned, and one of the results of its use would be the saving of many lives.

Thebe is another matter in this connection which should engage the attention of the Mines Department, and that is the almost criminal conduct of men who will persist in resorting to dangerous methods in the preparation of dynamite for use in blasting operations. It is well known that men run great risks from the poisonous fumes of this explosive by carrying a couple of cartridges tucked Under the armpit for the purpose of reducing them to the necessary condition for firing. Then, again, accidents from warming dynamite in pans and billies are of frequent occurrence. One of these accidents occurred only the other day. A cheap, effective and perfectly safe utensil has been on the market for years, by means of which the miner can prepare the dynamite for the work in hand ( but we know of ho regulation which compels the use of this very necessary safeguard. Wo would urge upon the Minister consideration of this matter, and invite him to issue a stringent regulation on the subject.

Thb new Commissioner of Police, Mr Tunbridge, has arrived, and We may expect that he will take charge ih the course of a few days. It is but fair that he should be given every opportunity to,, first, make himself thoroughly acquainted with the present working of the force and, second, to institute such changes and reforms as he may think necessary. To those who are pressing for the setting up of a Royal Commission to enquire into the alleged offences of individuals, we would suggest that it would be unfair to Mt Tunbridge and unjust to. the force as a whole. It may he that certain of the charges will he sheeted home. This can be just as effectually done by oommunioatingall the available evidence to the Commissioner, and he will be enabled to rid the'force of undesirables, while the majority of the police will be saved the humiliation of being branded with the disgrace which must necessarily attach to the whole of the men because of the acts of a disreputable few. But it is impossible for Commissioner Tunbridge or any other man living to do what is right if he is not Co have a free hand. There is also the question to be considered—and it is a vital question—of whether or not it would be advisable to disenfranchise the police and, where they are married men, their wives also.

Oun oWn opinion is that the members of the force> with but few exceptions, would welcome this change. At all events, the •question is one that should be fairly discussed and decided upon by Ministers. But, above all, some provision must b© made for those of the men who ought to be compulsorily retired because of their age. As things are at present, if the Commissioner wishes to retire a number of the elderly officers who are known as trustworthy men, but who are incapable of carrying out their duties to the satisfaction of their Inspectors, he will be compelled to act iu the most heartless manner and cast out into the world fellow-creatures who will have absolutely nothing to look forward to but the assistance of the charitable aid boards when their allowance of a year’s pay has disappeared. The fact is that we do not pay our policemen well enough, nor do we offer the best class of men any great inducement to enter the force. The wonder is, seeing the temptations to which the men have to submit, that they maintain as high a standard of excellence as that which the vast majority have contrived to live up to, and one of the first acts of the representatives of the people should be to institute a higher rate of pay together with a superannuation fund.