Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1882-04-28
A Letter from the Coal Fields.
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE SENTINEL.
FRosTBURG, MARYLAND,

FRosTBURG, MARYLAND.
Since his last communication your cor
respondent has had the pleasure of spend
ing several days Immediately in the mineral
regions of Allegany, meeting with his many
former friends and acquaintance and in
viewing the many changes and improve
ments that have taken place in this section
within the past twenty years.
| The mineral regions of this section of the
State in which lie imbedded Unreasonable
wealth for this and coming generations, is
ever productive of vast interest and specu-
lation. The development and enterprise
which has been pushed forward here within
the past thirty years has been of gigantic
magnitude. 1t would appear to the visitor
that science and art have exhibited their
progress to an extent equalled only by the
grandeur and beauty of the picturesque
scenery which everywhere opens up piano.
rama of varied splendor and buoyancy.
Populous and enterprising towns and viii
lagos, palatial private residences of the most
improved and artistic style of architecture
have sprung like Minerva from the brain
of Jupiter, imparting vigor and confidence
to the enormous amount of capital which
| annually seeks investment in the coal fields,
and which though often subjected to serious
distractions, is regarded as safe and remu-
nerative This whole region of country APP
pears to be traversed with vast network of
railroads, which have been constructed by
huge and wealthy corporations. The scream
of the steam whistle rings along every val
ley, and the iron horse can be seen vending
his way over the cliffs of the mountains
higher than where the eagle builds her nest.
Catching as it were the spirit and impetus
nf of min M
homesteads, smiling under the care OF an
industrious yeomanry, lend additional at
traction and importance to the surrounding
country, and leave a healthy and indelible
impression upon the mind of the traveller.
Indeed this whole section of country is
dotted all over with farms in the very high
est state of cultivation, and 1t requires but a
casual observation to realize that the agri-
cultural pursuits here are profitable and
| pleasant The farms are laid off with great
regularity and taste, and whilst the private
residences tell of comfort-and in many cases
OF what appear TO be eXtravagance-in not
single case do the outbuildings, consist
ing OF barns, stables, &C., seem TO have been
overlooked all are nicely arranged and APP.
pear amply commodious. So whilst this is
mainly a mining and manufacturing dis
trlct, agriculture is not neglected, but enjoys
a high state of prosperity and the tillers of
the soil find ready and profitable market
at their own doors. Your correspondent
only regrets that pending his stay in this
| section, the weather was so inclement as 10
preclude him from witnessing and enjoying
some of those gorgeous pictures which are
so characteristic of the mountain regions,
SO charming and lovely when the clouds
have been lifted, and the rays Of the sun
lights up the canvas
But with all of this apparent enterprise
and activity, and with all the natural favor
able surroundings Of this section of country
your correspondent did not fail to recognize
that the business operations, running through
all the avenues of trade, affecting all classes
and avocations, have been and still are suf-
fering If not entirely Frustrated by reason
of The clash Of capital and labor. The strike
with the miners still continues and there
seems to be little indication Of an early and
satisfactory adjustment 1t Is a mistaken
TACT that the miners are supported by as
slstance from any Union OF labor" or labor
association. They are generally of char
acter of men, who are sober and industri-
Gus, and by rigid economy they have been
able to secure homes of their own, and have
also laid aside little means for "rainy days"
This being the case, it is thought that most
OF them will be able TO keep up the strike
for six months. They assert in the most
positive manner that they have no fear of
the asserted introduction of foreign labor
upon the part of the companies, as the
veins Of the coal are fourteen feet veins,
and can only be worked by skilled labor
without entailing great loss of life and
thereby attended with serious delay, and
which, as necessary consequence, in the end
attended with heavy expense. Upon inquiry,
your correspondent learned that whist it
was admitted that the miners would not
suffer upon 30 cents per ton, they thought
II was unfair and unjust upon the part of
the companies TO insist upon their taking
% cents, whilst even paying 65 cents per
ton the companies were reaping a hand
some revenue upon their coal-that they
were nearer tide water, and had superior
coal, always demanding a much higher
price than the Clearfeld regions of Penn
sylyania, where the miners were receiving
but 80 cents, and which the companies here
are governed by as precedent and incen-
tive TO their present action.
Whilst your correspondent is deeply i'm
pressed with the belief that the contem-