New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-01-23


by extensive denudation every strata IN the basin,
so that notwithstanding the great depth OF the
lower series by this most fortunate contguration
OF the surface Of the ground, all the beds OF coal
are readily accessible. Inc veins are exposed 10
view on the sides Of the hills, occasioned by the
deep ravines, at which points they are workable
bv means of drifts The valuable characteristics
Of this coal field, independent OF the quality OF
the mineral are the singular advantages possesses
for being mined ventilated, and drained with but
little expepse The inclination OF the strata rising
each way from the centre Of the basin affords
natural drainage by means OF the drifts These
mining facilities can be appreciated by those who
are familiar with the difficulties attending mining
operations in Eng land. There the mining IS
usually done by means OF vertical shafts to the
depth in some cases Of two thousand feet, requir-
ing an outlay of from $4,000 to 100000 before
the vein can be reached Superadded to this IS
a perpetual expense for machinery to pump the
water out and to raise the coal, and to afford ar
tifcial means of ventilation. The dangers expe-
rienced by the miners from fire damp, choke damp
and the inconvenience, in the lowest workings OF
an uniform heat of so are also serious disadvan
tages The Cumberland coal field is exempt from
these difficulties From SEQ TO $500 would be
the outside expense for opening any vein IN the
basin, the ventilation and drainage being &C
complished by natural means. The only advan-
tage possessed by any of the English coal mines
is a nearer proximity to the sea board. The cost
of mining and delivering ton Of coal into the
cars, from the principal vein IN the basin tabout
eight feet of mineable coal may be stated an ioi
lows;
Tjmber for mine props and railroad ..............
Hauling inside and outside and dumpage..
We iO blacksmith and driving heading ......
Superintendent repairs of road and cars scRntng IRON,
and other incidental expenses.
Cost per 81
At % cents per tun the miners make wages OF
: m
for mining the large vein, the only coal which has
thus far been sent TO the Eastern market, for the
reason that none of the Coal Companies engaged
in shipping coal, have any OF the smaller veins &C
cessible upon their lands. The latter VEINS those
from 2I to feet thick, cost to mine from So to 4O
cts per tun. In former times, before the con-
struCton of the railroads connecting the Coal pa
sin with this town, some of the smaller VEINS
which were then brought to market IN wagons
were regarded TO be greatly superior IN purity aud
strength to the large veins. Some OF these veins
will ultimately be extensively worked Forgen-
rating steam and for cleanliness as parlor iuel
when they become known in the New ork mar
ket must command decided premium over any
of the Coal which has yet been sent there from
the Cumberland region
The rate of toll on the canal, to Alexandra,
during the short season of navigation since its
completion, was 70 cents toll, and 81 25 transpor
tation The Canal Directors have recently pro
posed to reduce the tolls, upon the principle OF
sliding scale if the Coal Companies Will guaran-
tee a fixed quantity per annum-say Tor 5OoOOo
TINS the tolls will be reduced to "a cents per tun
and for 6OOOO00 tuns to 371 cents per tun. The
Coal Companies have agreed to give guarantee
for the first year, of the minimum quantity Inc
b. and O Railroad Co. in anticipation OF this re-
duction, have reduced their rates from 46'lOO
per tun to 100 per tun to take effect ISL une
next. 1t is expected that about that same time
| the B and O. Co. will be extended to w estern.
port. the southwest limit Of the Cumberland
| Canal basin. A and much tho most lnnPVI-
tant portion Of this coal field, will then be brought
into competition with the coal from the trostOur8
region The only thing that can retard the rapid
growth of the coal trade from this town, is the de-
fciency in the number OF boats on the Canal
Boating on the Canal must be prOhtaole Ousl-
ness for some time to come. l am told that trans
portation to Alexandria, the prevailing rate being
81 25 per tun, would pay handsome rem9nera'
ton in ordinary seasons at 50 cents per tun mere
are several boat builders from the New York "a
nal. now here, engaged in boat building. More
are wanted The largest interest IN the mines oil
this region, is owned by Northern capitalists,
principally in your city. The names OF the prln'
cipal Companies are as follows ,,-.c
New York Mining Co Maryland mln,ng 20 20
Allegheny Mining Co. Wasnlngt on HT IN OS 70
Froslburg Coal Co. 6ount SaVase i r ""
Georges Creek Coal IRON p pS ks i,is co
Cumberland Goals Iron Co. Whers Mining Co.
AsoT Mining Co.
There are Others not yet fully organized, and
also others which having served the speculative
purposes of their originators and had their lanhs
| cold out under foreclosure, are now detunct
This region has not been Exemption the opera
tons of schemers who make it business to prey
upon that class of capitalists who possess an unior
tunate prediction to speculate in mines OF al all
! kinds Specuations commenced here about NJ
teen wears ago. and ragged for year or two
There were some fearful swindles about those
days We have been amazed to see parties who
had invested to the extent of $4,000 to S2O,OOO,
in coal lands, organizing Company OF halt mil
lion dollars capital, then declaring dividend
almost before the Company commenced opera
tons and on the strength of that dividend, selling
out the stock at the East at near its par value.
Within few weeks speculations In coal lands
have commenced again, and the prices paid are
far greater than ever before. The early specula
tions in the Anthracite Coal mines OF Pennsylya'
MIA caused more bankruptcy and distress in the
City of Phadelphia than did the failure OF the T.
S. Bank Such operations are much to be dePrecc
Gated in tits region. They are destructive OF
morals as well as fortune, and would seriously
retard the legitimate development of the Coal
business. n