Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1857-07-17

RWe copy thsfollowing article from
the Parkersburg News. All that is ne,
cessary to reduce the price Of our coal to
suchsa price that iscan defy competition
on the Ohio river, is the reduction of the
price of transporta.ionlasl low as is ehargs
ed upon the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Those acquainted with the facts know
tina. the company can afford to carry;
freight west cheaper than to carry iteast.
yet larger sum per ton per mile is
charged for carrying our coal TO Parkers>
burg. than for carrying the Cumberland
coal to Baltimore. We hope this distinc-
ton will be corrected.
"Our Coal Interests.
Before the completion of the Northwest
ern Virginia Railroad we heard much
about the immense coal banks lying along
and near the line, which were destined
according to the promises then made. to
furnish the material for a heavy coal
trade over the Railroad to this place.
where boats could be easily loaded at all
times, and shipments be made during
most of the year, thus doing much to-
wards supplying the southern country With
fuel, and bring back into our own neigh
borhood an immense return of wealth.
Just after the completion of the road a
few car loads were brought over it to Sc.
veral OF our citizens to supply tempo
rary need. Nothing like general ship
ment was attempted. and the small
amount brought cost more than the ordi-
nary price paid for coal received by the
river. The trade has since apparently
dropped. and unless the price is in some
way reduced. it will hardly be again re-
sumed except to supply o pressing need
in inclement seasons. @i ~
1t is sincerely to be hoped, for the
good of this section of the State. that
such steps will be'taken to bring about q
change in the action of the Railroad COM
pany in reference to coal transported on
this end of the route. =" Itiis subject Of
vital interest to the people, not only to
those in the vic; nifty Of the coal region,
but to our own citizens The benefit to
be derived from alarge coal trade is too
we'll known to need proof to any one. and
we know no reason why Harrison and
Taylor counties may not rival CumDef-
land and Lehigh in their profits in mi
ing the "BIack Diamond" AS to our own
corporation. it is admitted by all that be-
fore it can flourish, manufactures must be
built up. This cannot be done unless
coal can be furnished here at prices which
will allow it to be shipped down the river.
secure this and we stand some chance Of
persuading manufacturers to locate among
US. lit can not be done, then We must
remain mere way-station on the great
commercial track Of the nation, with un-
told wealth continually passing. but none
Of it sticking to us.
1t needs concerted action on the part
of those interested, TO accomplish any.
thing. If the counties along the line, and
those on the main stem who are interest
ed. will move together, their united re.
monstrances and requests might accom>
plish the desired end. But il the compa-
ny still refuses to accommodate US at as
low rates as it does any others. then there
is yet way left us, dernier resort. by
which we can force them to be just. OF
this, we will have more to say in future