Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-05-08
LOCAL d w
WEDNESDAY EVENING, MAY 8.

~
The Coal TRADE.-A visit to the American
Coal Company depot, on the City's property
north OF and adjoining Fishtown, the appear,
anee of affairs there, and the operations In
progress, to one whose daily walks lead HIM
through only the usually quiet streets, WILL
prove beneficial, as it's influence will tend to
arouse him from the apathy into which ne
may have fallen, in consequence OF the partial
stagnation prevailing elsewhere in the city, and
throughout the entire South, by the unsettled
| condition of political affairs.
The immense heaps Of coal piled there, and
which are being constantly increased and di-
minished by gangs Of sooty laborers, who are
engaged in unloading boats from Cumberland,
and loading vessels destined for other ports'
the groups of canal boatmen, with their teams
resting from their long journey over Tue ~"
path the array Of yessels-steam and sailihg
lying at the wharyes, varying IN capacity
from n thousand TO three hundred tons, ahd
hound 10 San Francisco, Philadelphia, New
York, Boston, and other cities the swinging
of the derricks the horses working at the
falls, and the labors of the stevedores' aitogeth-
er constitute a scene Of real business activity
that must be truly gratifying to every one at
all interested in Alexandria's material pros
perity.
More than thirteen thousand tons OF the
product of the Cumberland mines have been
received at the depot to which reference is here
made, since the resumption, but a short time
since, of navigation on the Alexandria Canal,
and fleets of boats are now on their way, and
will, without the occurrence OF untoward and
unexpected accidents, continue TO arrive here,
during the remainder Of the now but just
commenced season.
The benefits ultimately to accrue to this city
from the coal trade that is destined to centre
here, are beginning to be experienced already,
and the Saturday evening 81 expenditures 1.-THE
coal wharves are perceptibly increasing the
weekly receipts of the retail merchants.
For the revival Of the coal trade in Alexan.
dria, and the prosperous condition OF things
It is the harbinger of, the full need Of praise is
to be awarded Capt. VIM. j. Boothe, the Cen
eral Superintendent of the American Coal
Compauy's interests. For more than a year,
with untiriu. energy, at pecunlary loss and
personal Inconvenience, but having the real in
terest of his company at heart, and its necessa-
~ sequence, the improvement OF this city, ne
has successfully combatted his numerous, pow
erful and .dexterous adversaries, and enemies OF
Alexandria welfare, at Cumberland, George
town, Washington and New York, until now,
at last, he is gladdened, and with him the en-
tire community, by the commencement OF the
fruition Of his plans and hopes.
Captain Boothe has severed his connection
with Georgetown, by the entire transfer to this
city of his business operations, formerly con-
Quoted there, and the future promises to lndl-
cate his wisdom.
The Baltimore and Hampshire Coal Compa-
nv, following close in the wake of the American,
has also established a depot In this city, near
the Foundry, and the activity now apparent in
that locality is another cheering sign OF present
anu future IMPROVEMENTS
The Cumberland Coal and Iron, the Borden,
the Consolidation, and the Central Coal Com
ranies. standing in their own light, have re-
fused as yet to open depots in this city, and, IN
connection with some few property holders IN
Georgetown, have entered into an arrange
ment with the proprietors of the steam tugs on
the river, by which the latter are made their
snh-agents and drummers, and are paid to tow
vessels from any point between this city and
Fort Washington TO Georgetown and back, Tree
of cxpense, provided the vessels shal'load with
coal at that place.
This line Of policy may succeed Tor q time,
and may, temporarily, hinder the development
of trade at this city; but the idea that it can
be continued for any length of time is not en-
t%ertained by those at all familiar with the oper-
atoms of the coal trade.
The excessive and glarng discrimination IN
imical to the interests of this city, made by the
tug boats in the rates Of tonnage for coal yes
GELS. has produced it's necessary effect, and the
result is that measures have been instituted
for the Immediate purchase Of steam tugs tor
the use of the trade here.
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