Daily Democrat and news. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1859-1864, 1862-01-28
DAVENPORT. IOWA TUESDAY MORNING. JANUARY %. 1862.
For the Democrat and Nswsl
Coal in Davenport..Its Qualify and Fu.
tuSe prospects.

tuse Prospects.
1t often happen. that querulou. and unrea-
sonsb'e complaints are made. By set Of sys.
tsmatic growlers, 10 reference TO the mansgs.
ment Of matters IN which the public generally
is interested; but when such complaints are
general ard pervade ulike all classes. it is .
proof that there is good reason for euch com.
plants. Such may be said to be the case in
reference to the quality Of coal supplied 10
consumers iI this vicinity. for the past year or
.vo-there seems to be but one opinion, (aside
from that Of the cosl-dealers themselves, that
the supply Of this article 10 not ouly mi-erably
indifferent, but is actually deteriora.ing from
mouth to month.
To attain to clear view OF this unfortunate
fact, two conspiring causes may be alleged.
sutficie1t. "a the writer believes, to give the
true explanation Of this state Of things, and
also to suggest proper remedy. The first II
these has reference 10 the peculiar nature Of our
coal deposits; the second mu.t be referred to
the dealers in this article.
10 regard to the natural supply Of coal for
thia vicinity. it may be laid down as an esiab.
shed fact that the only reliable sour from
whence this article can be derived is from the
Rock river bssin. The coal met with in the
vicinity Of Buffalo, In this county. is not worth
taking into the account, owing to the thinnes-
and irregulsrty Of the seams. and its ind,ff-r.
EFT and variable quality. During the past six
years. the great stimuli. given TO coal inter
es,s by . rapidly increasing demand, has
started into activity this important branch Of
mining. and, in place Of few selftaught min.
ers driving their entries into the bluffs Of Coal.
town End furnishing employment for few
struggling teams. We now have three compa
MES actively engaged in disemboweliD the
earth OF its dark treasures, and transporting
their supplies to market on two distinct Rail
roads. From these sources we derive an ample
supply of material, such as it is. v hich compe.
'ition has kept down to tolerahly reasonable
rates.
Bat the startling fact Of q dcisr ioY ating
quality. is one that is Of special interest TO
every consumer, and the question comes up, Il
this because the coal supply is giving out :.
workable veins Of coal which line tho Rock
river baain. may be rsckoned iu square miles.
aud the great bulk Of this 10 yet untouched 10y
the pick of the miner. Tnfor tunately, how
ever. the locations heretofore made and at
present worked. are con6eed to the outer rim
of the coal basin. which being most accessible
is generally the first work ed, but with neces
sary result OF liability to run out entirely, Cr
what is nearly as bad, furnishing dete eriora
ted quality. The remedy for this state OF
things ia plain. Either the p. estni companies
must relocate their works nearer the centre OF
the coal basin. employing chatting. if neces-
sasy. to reach the underlying coal strata, or
new companies will he organized to take their
places. To the majority Of consumers, it l..
probably a matter OF indifference which Of
these courses is adopted.
But second, another reason Of The had qua !.
ity Of the coal, at present marketed, is owing
to an inexcusable neglect OF the coal dealer.
to separate ard throw cut the sulphur band
which is met with more or lsss in all west
ern coal veins. and which can be only prop.
srly effected in the process Of mining.
A few years ago the general complaint " as
that one half of the coal delivered to con-
sinners was III the Objectionable form OF
duet. Now it would be safe to say that one.
tenth is in the shape Of sulphur. Ii as 3
proper Judgment for our sins, it should he
decreed that we must snuT at our fre-sides
the fumes OF the Internal regions. suppose
We must submit, but no doubt there would
be strenuous objections to have our present
class Of coal dealers eetve as the execution
era OF euch decree. l presume TO the greet
mass Of consumers much more agreeable
use Of this commodity would he TO brcsk
into good sized d,rnick, TO pelt those who
coal and taking pay for the sAme,, Now
it not only pollu,es our frs-sides. dete-io-
rates our gas affects our morals. By suggest
ing profAne epithets. but also. no doubt, Ia.
iures the public health A,ray uith il, or th e
above suggested use will be put into speedy
execution.
Too much. probably, cann't be said in
reference TO the iml ortanee Of the coal inter.
ests of this vicinity to it, future prosperity
and commercial progress; therefore may
be excused for slading thus freely to h e
important question Of the gsai,y Of our pres.
ent supplies of coal. p.