Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-10-04

Co., AND Coal DEALERs.-We hear on all
sides very Indignant complaints against tho extor-
,;o,a,o disposition manifested within the past two Or
thrse weeks by proprietors of certain coal pits; oom-
pluiuts which, if well-basel, rs they certainly ap-
mar to us to bu, should concentrate upon the parties
,ruiIty Of tho contemplate and outrageous iinposi-
lion, tho scorn and the rebukeof our entire commu-
nifty. As represented to us, by gentlemen whose
statements command tho highest eontiencO, tho coal
pit proprietors, specially referred 10, have taken
mean advantage Of the embarrassment of tho times,
to increase the price of tho coal one dollar aud II halt
per ton to tho CITY dualers in tho article, and thus he
eessitating, OF course, on tho part OF tho lattor, a pro-
PoEtionate increase IN the retail price OF coal: Tho
EXCUSES offered for this advance upon ono oil tile no
cessaries of lito, arc the enhanced value and scarcity
of labor, together with the limited means Of trans
p~ortStion to market; but to those familiar with the
true tacta Of the case, the insufbciency OF these ex-
ensss will be plainly apparent: It is T9!l known
that heretofore Immense quantities OF our bltulnlnous
soal-uoarly, if not fully, equal to tho entire homo
consumption of the same aruclo-lave boon periodi-
caliy shipped to the North, where it WINS extensively
used in tho manufacture Of gas, and Tor other pur-
poses. This drain having boon stopped by tho
blockade, it follows, IN II matter OF course, that the
| supply Gun DO increased to the extent OF our former
expectations, without any additional cost, othor than
that Slight ut best, the most OF our coal imlnes being
| worked by slaves which may arise from the increased
.lcuund for labor. The general opinion, IN far us We
arr capable Of gathering it, seems to no that there IS
no reul cause for the enormous increase in the price
of coal, and that tho imposition Of tho additional
cost is i most contesnptible attempt, Oh the part OF
wealthy proprietors OF GOAL mines, TO wiring lAncnse
profits from the necessities OF our people. II this
be 10, and We have yet heard no plausible denial OF
the popular assertion. then the guilty monopoiis's
should promptly be made TO feel that oven unoon-
.cionablc avariee must yield toothe corrective inhu-
oucrs of IN indignant public opinion.
But 1t is not only in the increased cost OF coal that
the temper Of the community, and the necessities Of
our poorer classes, are being most unteelingly prao-
t;ced upon trade avariee has yet R sleeper depth
of mennness, which is being now sounded BY certain
coal dealers. Tho supply OF coal has been actually
shortened to an extent which places it beyond the
reach Of a very largo portion of tho community, and
for no reason, that reflection can discover, other than
10 afford n seeming Justification for the augmented
cost OF tho article. We lourn, upon lilo pest autlofl-
". that, acting undcr the alleged apprehension OF u
Scarcity of coal, dealers will not sell, unless in COM
paralively large quantities, aud thut, whilo INC DC,
inanIS Of those purchasing by the hunureos Oh
bushels ue readily met, il is with extreme dlmeulty
only that tho needy customer can procure Their more
limited, but far more necessary supply Now, tnis
ia d condition of affairs which appeals equally 70 the
sympathy, and to the sense of justice, OF every con-
scientious citizun OF the Commonwealth for amend
mont. But the remedy must be speedily applied
Winter, with all its ~suitcrings 10 tho poor, 10"
trcbly ung,nuutul by the horrors OF civil war, IS NJ ouf
doors, and, unless We would loayc the helpless poor
10 tho grinding uvariec OF these SPECTATORS, III pa
triolic suiterings, the sooner II stop Is put 10 Ihls
imposition, the better it will DO, not only Tor our
selves, but the welfare OF the entire Conleae.aSy.-
Our much forhearing people, may bu goaacu ny
uncouseionablc Spectators in their necessary wants
to u point beyond which tho peace and safety
Of no community is secure. Will the propfietots VI
the Glover Hill Mining Company take tho TACT 'rte
consideration