Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-02-05
LETTER FROM ANNAPOLIS.
Coal Tax aid New County Prospects.
ANNAPOLIS, FEBY Is! 1876.

Mr.. EDITOR -
1t may be interesting to your readers
to hear from this place at this time, when
several measures affecting the interests of
their section in a very material way are be-
ing generally discussed by members of the
Legislature and other persons to before ac
ton . Aken tlicrcupon by that body. First
in importance is tie measure to impose
license on the Coal Companies of $50 for
every thousand tons of coal mined. Opin-
ion here, as regards the policy and justice
of this measure, to say the least in favor
of our side, is divided, with the tendency, l
am pleased to say to become decidedly OPP
posed TO it, as more light is received Upon
the subject. AS was remarked by a prom
incnt and influential member from Baiti-
more City in conversation last night, the
Legislature needs light upon the subject, and
that it will pass no oppressive or dis
eliminating legislation if it knows it.
This gentleman, whose name | do cot feel
at liberty to mention, will be found to OPP
pose the Bill at the proper time. Other
gentlemen of both houses, from different
parts of the State other than Western Ma
ryand, are pronounced in their oppo-
sition to it feel justified in saying also
that it will have the opposition of the pres
cnt directory Of the Canal, who pcrcciv"
that in proportion as the development
Of the coal mines is repressed the tom
|
mage of the canal will be decreased. Whilst
the meetings being Ecld by the miners and
OF ers of our region will have coed influ-
cncc here it would also be wcll-.indced is
very lmportant-that the Companies them
selves should have knowing and RESPONSE
bic men her duty nccredited By them, to speak
i'll behalf of their interests. 1t is not only
important that this bill be defeated now
but that our people make out such case
as will prevent any similar measure being
proposed in the future. The bill will come
W for consideration on the Sth of this
laontll-it having been postponed to that
day, doubtless, to give lis originators OPP
ronunty to feel the public pulse. More
upon this subject at another time.
As regards tie New County, think the
prospects of the passage of tie bill provid
ing therefor, are encouraging. And fol
these reasons, namely: The representa-.
tivls Of the people here, as well as the pco
PIE themselves throughout the State ap
precinte the Importance of the construction
OF feeder to the Chesapeake and Obi,
Canal from the center of our coal basin
either by way of slack water navigation
or railroad, OF both, and Il confidence ex
press d here that appropriation for the for
mr. can be had from Congress to assist II
making the same. Other aid of course viii
he required and it is argued that Il New
County embracing the coal field of tho
State, .tieed froH the antagonistic interests i,
oar county that would necessarily Oppose
the extension, would in Ill probability lent
her credit, as a county, also in aid of thi.
work, in the same way that the counties O
Western Maryland aided in the construc
ton of the Western Maryland Railroad
The fruits to be derived therefrom being
more ample and cheaper means of trans
: portation for the Coal Companies and 4
large increase of tonnage for the Canal
Othcr considerations Of course enter into
the Kew County question in commentator
!; OF it, int are OF course subordinate to thos,
mentioned above
l could write you much on other sub
jects, but do not wish to further encumbel
your valuable columns CIyIs.