The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-01-06
PRICE OF FUEL IN RICHMOND.

We were informed by one Of the coal
dealers, yesterday, that the price of load Of
bituminous coal Is now $5.25; the Golfers he
stated, having risen one cent per bushel since
Christmas. With wood s. per cord, coal
1926 per load, and other necessaries oflife IL
proportion, it is q mystery to us now poor
men are to live in this city, without inyol-
wing themselves over head and ears in debt
We heard poor man express the opinion
that poor men have no right to live at all
Those of US who may be disposed to dispute
that assertion, viii at any rate find the right
to live one which is not easily exercised III
these times.
1t appears farther that no bituminous coal
at all is to be had at this time, even for the
price of 1925, or any other price. Wen,
here is another mystery, beyond the compre-
hension of plain men. In the neighborhood
of inexhaustible coal fields, the supply stops
short in mid winter, and neither for love nor
money, can a lump of it be had Is it posi-
BILE that no preparations can be made to avert
such state of things! We impute blame to
nobody, and, of course, nobody is to blame.
We never heard of a public evil or misfor-
tune of any kind, the bursting of steamboat
boiler, the collision of two tremendous loco
motives, the killing of men, women and
children, by fire, steam or freezing, IN which
any body on the face of the earth was blame
able in the slightest degree. Hence, we arm
ourselves in advance against all after claps,
by averring NEST distinctly that we impute
the blame of the present scarcity and high
prices of fuel in this city to no mortal man.
Weionly exercise the Anglo-Saxon's inalien-
able privilege of grumbling. Whilst we have
the natural repugnance Of all mankind to
dying, either by starving orfreezing to death
we claim the privilege allowed even undef
the bowstring of the Turk, to groan and pro
test, without being reprimanded forit. But
whilst we do not pretend to say who Is to
blame, we do say that the present scarcity
and high prices of fuel in Richmond, are q
shame and a scandal to an enterprising com
munity. If such prices are kept up, the la
boring classes, the mechanics and the poor
men generally, viii find it impossible to live
here, and viii be driven to some region, where
industry and economy can keep the wolf OF
want and suffering from the door. And, let
it be remembered, that it is precisely these
classes upon whom the prosperity of every
city depends. If you wish to ascertain the
stamina, vitality, and the prospects of ad-
vancement of any city, the standard is spot
the stately palaces of the wealthy, buff he
busy hives of humble industry,-the unpre-
tending dwellings of the artizans and me-
chanics. When these are deserted, or, ex-
hibit no evidences Of thrift attention and
taste; no proof that the affections of the in
mates are clinging about the spot, and strik-
ing their roots into the soil, then depend upon
it that the destiny of that community is set
tied for evil, and that the corner-stones of its
prosperity are crumbling away.
The people of Richmond must look to this
matter in time. There is no reason why the
neeessaries of life should command prices in
this town which would be unrea sonable in
the largest cities on the continent.