Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1886-01-23
MR.. DAVIS, DISTINGUISHED VIEWS.

DCI Cllt1tloulo ~ ~ sA I
opinions, and as such, ilke
all things human, are liable to mlslead
and err. 1885,.
This observation is prompted by. a
careful reading OF the several editorial
and local matters contained in the
Intelligencer of the 10th inst, relative
to the Missouri Pacific Railway and
the Lexington Coal Mining Company.
These structures, whilst percnance
so intended by the wrlter-yei
they are unwise, and unfair, ana Wen
to ipiure the coal business
in Lexington, and create preJudlces n
animosities where naught but good
feeling and harmony should prevail.
1 am not authorized to speak Tor the
Mo. Pacific Railway, but having, as II
were, a two-fo fold interest in the Lex
ington Coal Mining Company, as a
small stakeholder therein and the same
interest, in common with every other
property holder of Lexington. l there
fore ask the privilege, respectfully, TO
reply to said matters. -.
The paper disclaims, "unfriendli-
ness" in the premises, or champion
ing any mans cause yet, will a close
reading of the several matters bearing
upon the subject, lead others to like
conclusions ?
In considering the different matters
editorial and local-in the paper, Tx
the construction of q statute, the true
rule is to construe all together TO
arrive at the animus, purpose ana
meaning. Under this rule, your artl-
cles will be considered.
1t is reiterated in several ways Ill
your paper. that sit only advocates the
interests of the people," yet it is res
pectfully submitted that IN no way
have YOU shown how the people are
being wronged or injured by these
companies
Much of the anlmadversions laid be.
fore the people, as their aus OF
grievance, relate solely to what the
paper is pleased t denominate "quar-
reis with an individual;" ''monopo-
Iistic attempts to freeze out; "attacks
upon Missouri coal mines IN favor OF
other coal ields;' ~ ''the monopoly in
the purchase of coal lands, ETC." Now
Mr.. Editor, in view OF the naked, cold
facts of the case, all this attempt to
arouse public indignation is the very
thinnest kind of bosh.
In the first place, neither the MO.
Pacific Railway, nor the Lexington
Coal Mining Company have ''any quar-
REP with can Individual" and it any
individual sees fit and proper to have
a quarrel with the companies, it is his
or her unquestionabe privilege so to
do, but why should the Iutelligencer
endeavor to enlist the public In a pri-
vate quarrelI
Then again it is said that there Is
"freezing OUT 1t is here denied that
any such attempt exists on ths part OF
said company.
Under the former management OF
the Lexington Coal Mining Company
when the various corporate and indi-
vidual~ interests in coal along the line
of the railway, about Lexington, Wen'
down or out, nothing was heard In the
Intelligencer about DETERMINATIONS
. and ssfreezing out, 'and why now, wher
there are but two parties in the neic
has this question been raisedT Al echo
, answers, whyl Again, it's said tina
l this "monopoly' is a Enforcement II
favor of other coal fields and aGains
, the interests of Lexington" Thi
would be r~eprahensible if true but, SCI
how a plain statement Of facts Will Pu
! this assertion down.
The Lexington Coal Mining Compan,
| has miled within the past six months
i. one third more coal than it ever mine
= before. The miners are better pal
). and better satisfied than ever before
f The mines are safer and in better con
4 dition than yer before,
- The company not having adequat
{ territory for such development OF COZ
as desired, has but recently purchase
e other lands, to meet its requirement
p but it seems that this too, has give
. offense, and the I~ntelligencer gent
D., dubs it a monopoly" Now, Nj
q Editor, the plain, open facts about th'
d purchase are these
d. In September last it became evidel
,, that the lands OF the Coal COmpal
y were not adequate to the proposed bu
mess sought l. be done. Various ms
if tiers were discussed; some of the pal
J. ties here suggested to purchase add
If tional grounds above town. III
writer called the attention of the pa
~ ties here, to the lands recently pu
n chased below town, aud urged t
Mt purchase of the same; and after a tr
10 they were examined and purchased, II
-, for the purpose Of s'freezing any O
III else out" or thwarting any 9th
m scheme, but simply because the &C
~ is thicker and can be placed on the ca
thirty cents per ton cheaper than fro
any other mines in Lafayette count
ne The Coal Company recogn ized
e. superior advantages, needed the 10
ke tor its business and bought it, and he
or can the public be iniured5
r.. am free to admit that / IA see hi
Il" %"individual interests" are to SUIT
ne where coal can be produced from IT,
er lands for thirty cents per ton less th
10 any ''private operator" can produce
If the Lexington Coal Mining Co
" pany sees proper to so increase its b
lte %iness, as to mine one thousand tons
,er coal per day, instead of two hundl
ed as now, and pay out on al everage
two thousand dollars per day inste
of five hundred as now, should
Dc public become enraged because 30
gh 'privale operator" is not making b.
rht ends meet2
Then again, the Intelligencer sa
"Tbe owners of coal properties W
Ion to know it the Coal Company Is to
come the owners of their propert
as' and tor the Information of such as Il
. a desire to sell, l feel that am warra
ed in saying that the Lexington {
u.s. Mining Company has all the &c
properties" It wants.
o And now about the rates of treie
'rm The IntelIigencer says: at sits ~
nd. cislly'' upon that question. And l
18th as the Intelligencer sits as the JUG
let it give its opinion upon this q
Jug ton. Has or has not the Missouri
uid cific rail way the right to fix as its r.
re- aud charges, what the law, thro
ion the railroad commissioners author
and prescribes? The law passed, l
lieve, during the session Of the gen
ing assembly, wherein the editor of
.ege Intelligencer was a member, t
and the rates, or authorizes the rail-
d. commissioners so to do; and as
" Missouri Pacific is only charging
'ose rates, then is it wrong for it to Con
the with the law?
hat But to use in part the words OF
o Intelligencer, 1.-The animus" OF t
:. appeals for the "public good" are
lsht seen when we contemplate the fact
coal is nov selling in Kansas City
9 cents that formerly sold for 10 &c
the and the Lexington Coal Company
>, ia it down. This most certainly ougl
49, be gIorious news to the people OF /
'ho sas City, and why should the peop
Lexington feel wronged, or the |
ligencer call for Legislative interJe,
to stop such conduct.
Does not loo priced coal in Ia
City increase the demand from lie,
ton, and if so who is injured?