The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-03-13
evening State 9oarmal
COAL INTEREST OF VIRGINIA.

The attempt now being made to repeal
the duty on bituminous coal naturally turns
our attention to the deep interest that our
own State has in the settlement of this
question. The coal deposits of Virginia
are com paritively undeveloped, but enough
is known to justify the statement that they
are equal in richness and etxent to those
Of any other State in the Union. Lack of
internal communication, the system of sla-
very, and, perhaps, Discrimination on the
part of the people to embark in mining,
has prevented the growth of this valuable
industry. The attention of capitalists is
Just being turned to Virginia coal lands,
and the new lines of transit to the seaboard
furnish opportunities and inducements not
before existing.
The margin of profit now given to the
miner will allow US to open the coal seam,
build and equip roads and canals, and
carry our coal to the seaboard markets
with remunerative returns. But, repeal
this duty and leave the other taxes as they
now are, and all young, weak mines will
be destroyed projected enterprises will
be given up, and the development OF our
coal and iron fields put back twenty years.
For we are to consider that mining on
scale to be profitable, requires vast origi-
nal outlay, and years of time to make
fair beginning. To open mine capable
of yielding / 900 tons daily would require
all the force that could be employed Tor
three years under the most favorable cir
cumstances. To found a great mining
interest the capital and labor must be as
sembled from all quarters, and lines OF
transit organized and equipped with the
most convenient instruments for handling
so bulky material. This can only be
done where there is a reasonable probabili-
ty of stable national policy. The levy
ing of a new internal tax, or the repeal OF
an old import duty, may ruin extensive
industries before they can recover from
the shock
The duty now sought to bo repealed has
stood for nearly forty years, with occa-
sional notifications. The present rate is
$1.25 per ton, and was established in
1866, having been raised fifteen cents at
| that time. This rate is considerably be-
| low the average from 1924, when the tax
was first levied, and under which the present
degree of development in Maryland and
Pennsylvania has been reached. But for
the war driving capital into destructive
channels, vastly greater develop
ment would, no doubt, have been at
taired. But now comes desperate onset
to remove the slight barrier between our
weak industries and the overgrown mo-
nopoles abroad.
Let us see where it comes from, and
whittier it tends: Some thirty years since
extensive coal seams were discovered in
Nova Scotia, and since that time extensive
mines have been opened, and considerable
of their products shipped to our markets
on the seaboard. Within the last ten years
very large investments have been made il
these lands by parties residing in New
York city. They have organized immens'
com panies, issued millions Of stock, ant
now come to Congress, and on the plea o
cheapening fuel to the consumer, ask t.
bring in their coal duty free.
They expect in this manner to increas
the market value of their stock many mil
lions of dollars. They have takel
their capital away from the Unite
States to escape its taxes, invested in pro
perty which pays taxes to foreign gov
ernment, and now ask this gratuity. The
; have chosen fortunate moment to intro
duce the measure BY an unfortunat
series Of strikes, and changes of freigh
; against the coal interest by the railroads
the home supply is short and the price
coal unusually high. Pointing to th
fact they promise vast reduction OF prie
if the tariff is repealed. 1t is good cry ft
demagogues, and the Democratic member
of New York with their historical hate {
whatever favors varied internal industrie
. brought all their forces into the fielt
They were aided by some revenue reform
ers among the Republicans. The deba
!. was very warm, though the Ave minute
t rule precuded long speeches.
The sentiment of this State should fin
some expression at once upon qnestio
of such vital importance to her interest
!, We are astonished that any member
Congress from Virginia should favor Il
suicidal policy. The Legislature should
y once instruct the senators and give
I the silent or hostile Democratic membe
: gentle hint of what the Old Dominic
expects of its representatives.
I THE Committee on Roads assemble
again this morning. They were engage
: in the examination Of General Malone
: to the management Of his road-wheth
= he made any discrimination between loo