American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-14
For the American Republican,
ANTHRACITE COAL.

.heSSTS. EditorS:-,I am DESTROYS, through the
medium of your paper, of calling public atten-
ton to the manner in which tie article of an
thracte coal is sold in this market. AS at pre-
sent conducted, the business of supplying our
citizens with anthracite is entirely in the hands
of those persons keeping the article for sale.
When citizen wants ton, or less than ton,
he applies at the Office of the seller, who fur
nishes him with bill of the same, and then
tells him he will be supplied as soon as posi-
BILE. The purchaser taen goes away and awaits
the arrival of his coal, which, not unfreguent-
ly, is two days in reaching him. By this man.
ner Of conducting the business, it will be seen
that it is entirely in the hands of one party,
and that the seller. Now the vender of coal
may be fair and very honest dealer, and may
have in his employment as upright and consci-
entious men as himself And it may also be,
that, like some traders and dealers of whom
we sometimes read and hear talk of, their hon
esty may be of very questionable character
in which latter event the public run the risk of
being "cleverly' chiselled. In order, however
that nothing may be left to the honesty of this
or that individual, inspectors should be appoint
ed, by an act of the legislature or city council
whose duty it should be to see that Justice be
done the purchaser, SO that every load of coal
which leaves the yard may certainly be of the
required weight. The great and increasing
consumption of coal in this city, renders it ne
cessary, in my opinion, that something should
be done to prevent the possibility of fraud
In New York, as | am informed, and it may
be in other places also, inspectors or weighers
of anthracite coal are appointed by law, who
receive compensation of IL l-2 cents per ton
for all coal sold from the yards and by them
inspected. Whether this fee is paid by the
seller or purchaser, am unable to say-but
that is matter of little consequence, when
we consider the security the purchaser will
have against frauds, even should he himself
have to pay the trlhing tax imposed.
BY these remarks, do not mean to insinu-
ate that any of the present dealers act dsho-
nestly, in sending away from their yards less
than 2240 lbs. to the ton. No, no; disclaim
any thing of the kind-but the time may come
when we may not have such honest gentlemen
to deal with as those now engaged in the bust
ness; in which event, if not by law guarded
against, they may take it into their heads to
practice upon the motto that ''some things can
be done as well as, others!"
by giving these suggestions place in your
paper, public attention may be called to mat
ter which conceive to be important to
MANY HoUsEKEEpERs.
WELLERIsM. "Most people like to be soap
ed as the chap said when he pelted his neigh
Dor with soapstones.
"You're queer chicken" as the hen said
when she hatched out duck.
SPIN gaining ground" as the sand bar said
to the river.
"No, THANK You" "Will you take
pinch of snuff, Mr.. Spriggug'''
"No, thank you; if my nose had been in
tended for dust hole, It would have been
turned the other side up"
81 DON'T CARE IF Do" Will you take
something" said tee-totaller to his friend,
when standing near tavern.
81 don't care i'll do" was the reply.