The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-02-05
MONDAY EVENING, FEB. 5, 1872
TIE TARIFF RFDUCTION,

Both, financially and socially, Virginia
has vital interest at stake in the proposed
notifications of the present tariff, especial
ly in regard to Coal, Iron, Salt and Wool.
We are just recovering from the ruin of the
war and casting about for some source of
income for our awakening industries.
Our coal mines furnish us one Of the
most readily developed and most valuable
items Of our natural wealth. Our deposits
of this fuel are vast, excellent, of varied
quality, and well located. But they are
only partially opened and furnished with
mining appointments. The coal near Rich
mond, along the James, is capable, with
full development, of supplying at reasona-
BILE rates the local demand, and contribu-
ting largely to the Seaboard market.
A considerable supply Of gas coal is al
ready afforded by the mines Of Aspinwall
and others, and new company is just
breaking ground which is to be devoted
exclusively to the New York market.
Richmond and all Virginia is benefited
by every ton of coal taken out, in the en-
ployment of its labor, the circulation Of
money, and, especially, in the certainty
given for a local supply of fuel by an ex-
tended development of coal mining. 4
incidentally all our industries are depend
eut upon cheap coal, and whatever tends TO
prevent large development Of coal mining
is a blow struck at every industry. We
are suffering to-day, because of the limited
extent to which our mines are worked. -
To remove the duty on coal at this time
is TO strike fatal blow at our mines, now
Just opening with large promise. 1t is pro-
posed in Congress to reduce the tax on
imported coal from $l.25 to 80 cents pei
ton. This reduction is to be made in the
interest of wealthy New Workers, who own
coal lands in Nova Scotia, and in Difference
to public elamor, which, under the name OF
free-trade, strikes down every germ of in-
dustry because it does not come fuH fiuited
from the earth. ....... ..-... 2.
The seyenty-five cents removed from the
duty takes that amount from the profits Of
the Virginia miner and diminishes the mar
gin of profit on his production at a critical
juncture. The net profit on soft coal rare
ly reaches the amount of the proposed re-
d lction.
The iinmsnss expense and long time ie.
qlired to open mine and bring it's pro.
duction up to a thousand tons daily, die.
tates stable and friendly policy. Wher
our mines are opened upon this vast scale,
home competition will keep down prices.
The interest of the farmer and the miner
in Virginia are the same upon this question,
If the mines along the James were working
twenty thousand men, as they ought to be
the home market thus afforded woulc
double the value of every acre of land fol
twenty miles around us. Our Legislature
should take action Immediately upon
this subject, and call upon our Senator'S
and representatives in Congress to stand
by the interests of Virginia, by retaining
the duties upon Coal, Iron and Salt. We
shall have occasion to refer to this matter
again, and wait to see whether those who
profess so much love for Virginia, will
stand up like men, in defense of her threat
ened industries, without distinction of
party.