The Peril of the Newcastle Coal Mine

Governor Squire recently received a communication from John Sullivan, a coal miner, setting forth that for a year or more past one portion of the mine at Newcastle has been on fire, and that inasmuch as the proper precautions have not been taken by the mine owners, the miners there employed were in danger of losing their lives; in fact, that a terrible destruction of life is liable to occur at any time, in consequence of this fire and the failure to properly control it. He further stated in the letter that he had written of this matter to the press of the Territory, but his communications had repeatedly found their way into wastebaskets, instead of into the printers' hands. Governor Squire, immediately on receipt of this letter, which was signed 'John Sullivan, on behalf of the Newcastle coal miners,' sent for Thomas Heacock, Mining Inspector for the Territory, and laid the matter before him. Mr. Heacock stated that to order to prevent accident he had ordered seven rooms in the burning district opened to the surface, so that the smoke and gases might escape, and that after that was done he considered the mine perfectly safe. He further stated that if the Governor would appoint a commission of experienced men to examine the mine he would pay the expenses, and if they reported it unsafe he would shut the mine down at once. The Governor appointed Mr. T. Wingate, of Tacoma, and Mr. Heacock, and requested them to agree upon a third man. On consulting Mr. Wingate, he expressed a preference for Mr. B. B. Jones, of Black Diamond, to act with them. Mr. Jones was consulted in regard to the matter, and telegraphed to Mr. Wingate yesterday as follows: 'If Governor Squire desires me to serve as a commissioner for the purpose named, and will request me to do, I will act.' Here the matter stands. Governor Squire will surely request Mr. Jones to act, and the report of the commission will be looked for with interest.