Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1876-12-16
THE MINING JOURNAL.
rROSTBURG, Md, DEC. 16, 1876.
HAVING reached the deplorable

HAVING reached the deplorable
conclusion of reducing the miners
wages about 58a per cent, We have
it from the Alleganian that
The representative men of the anti-Con-
solidation companies are now in New York
city consulting together upon plans and
purposes with regard to the proposed new
railroad to the coal region.
So that, with wages reduced and
the new railroad, We will likely have
another combination with thirgs all its
own way. However, competition is
theli of trade" but the trouble is, the
competition, the "lifs" and trade,
will all be in New York.
REDUCTION OF WAGEs.-The AUe-
.0anian learns that
1t has been determined by all the coal
companies other than the Consolidation to
reduce the wages Of miners on the LIST of
January to 40 cents a ton. We knew of
this some time since from confidential
sources, but the affair seems to have leaked
out through some "broken cistern" with q
pretty large aperture in it, and publicity of
the fact may not now be amiss AS to the
fact itself there is no doubt whatever about
that.
II this be true, it is to be greatly
regretted. 1t is believed by a great
many people that there are other and
better means of indsmnifying the
losses by slack trade, and that they
ought to be fully tested before re-
course is had to reducing the miners
wages. This plan should be the in
dispsnsable precedent-the last
resort.
We will have more to say in oppo-
sition to reduction when the Allegaa-
ian's statement is verified officially.
THERE is every reason to believe
that much of the bitterness engendered
by the campaign and its indecisive is
su. has passed away. People have
dismounted from the high horse" and
ere once moro back on the ground of
sense. The heat of political passion
and ostracism has cooled, and the in
tslligsnt American sees that he came
near making fool of himself.
This return to the normal condition
was brought about by the time given
for refrigeration. Americans excite
more rapidly than they cool !; the
slower process is sure, however, to
make the erswhile impetuous mon the
wisest in the world-for two or four
years to come.
After ell, what are we mad about :?
Differences Of opinion? Why every
question has two sides, and, as the old
proverb has it, "face which way we
will, we turn our back on half the
world" This applies to the situation
in the United States to-day. Shall
one-half psrjure their convictions at
the behsst of the other, and shall the
othsr wage war to make them do it :?
Has either party right to monopo
ly Of popular opinion? If not, is
there question to be solved by the
sword which cannot be solved without
it? Is there enough common sense,
honesty and patriotism left to devise
bloodless solution' Or is self-govern-
nent failure, and the glory of those
who projected it fable?
Let people answer as they like, the
majority are more apt to be honest
whom opposing than when favoring
war Bluster very rarely rises to the
dignity Of a public sentiment, and it is
worthless when it does Hence, it is
believed the smbarra 3sments which
environ us will not result in war.
The peace loving element Of the coun-
try is strong and strongly backed
moreover, it represents the most solid
moral and material interests, such as
will assent to no suicide upon the
stage Of revolution.
<s@s-s--s.>~.I.--.----.