Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-02-01

very distinguished chemists, and all these
analyses were made, I believe, mszy years
(seven or eight ago, just at that time,
when the James River Valley was being
doomed SO extensively. ask this qnes-
ton, and would like to have it answered !:
How many tons of ore could be furnished to
correspond in quality with the analyses
quoted by your "Bessemer" correspondent
He gives twenty-four analyses. In my
estimate leave out one, No. 10. in which
the metallic iron is given at 80S8 per cent.
Taking the twenty-three remaining and 40
ding al together and dividing by twenty
three, we hsve for the average of all: Me
tallic iron, 65 81 per cent average phoe-
phorus, 036 per cent, and knowing, as l
do, most of the ore deposits from whence
came these samples, will venture to as
sert that not car load of ore has ever oeeo
mined and shipped of the quality above
shown. And I will 60 further and make
this proposition to your esteemed cores
pondent viz: will undertake contract
with him to buy, backed by the names OF
some of the largest capitalists In the coun-
try, and further backed up with cash de-
post of $5. 600 of their money in Lynch
burg bank, to take, F. o. B. cars, at any
station within thirty-hve or forty miles OF
Lynohburg, 10000 tons of ore of the quality
shown in the above general average, at the
price of 1895 per ton-he to give salts
factory guarantee that he will deliver not
less than 900 tons, and ar the rate OF not
less than 500 tons per month, the ore not to
contain any titanium and not over one
quarter of one per cent. of sulphur. the ore
to be paid for in cash, as fast as delivered.
Now, Mr.. Editor, if this high grade Bes
40 Sfa in ho and
your correspondent claim, is not this fair
proposition? So trot him out, and let us
have boom in the James River Valley" tt
he extent of at least 10, 900 tons of ore and
it's value, $4,000.
l do not wish to be understood as dis
crediting in the least the accuracy of analyt-
zeal reports of the distinguished chemists
mentioned in the communication under
consideration, but l must insist upon seeing
the ''corn and not the tally s5ick."
hope you will, as far as you can, aid me
10 fluding reliable guide to show me these
immense deposits Of 65 per cent. Bessemer
ores, provided your esteemed correspondent
does not feel inclined to accept my pIopo-
sition. 1t is open to all, and no entrance
fee required"
The Virginian fairly and handsomely
H." and after referring to his tariff views,
from which no dissent is expressed, con.
cludes in q metter.of- fact manner as fol.
lows
s'But the question OF whether there are
Bessemer ores in Virginia can be and ought
to be determined for the benefit of the hold.
ers of mineral properties, if for NO othel
reason, and we think sc. 8. H." has gone
about it in the right way. His offer is Q
| challenge to those who hold that Bessemel
ores do exist in paying quantities in Vir.
ginis, to produce them, and unless they d.
produce them, candid public opinion will
admit that he has established the truth OF
his statement. He has thrown down the
gauntlet fairly and squarely, and they must
| take it up, or back down.
So now to the issue. Let the ore be pro-
duced, according to the terms of "E. 8.
H's' spot cash proposition, and an end put
| to all doubts on the subject. Then, and
not till then, will be the time to debate the
expediency or non-expediency of free
foreign ores. II we have the Bessemer ores
here at home we don't want the foreign
ores. If we haven't them here at home,
the dictates of a sound business policy
should prompt US to get them where we
can get them cheapest.
That is all of it,
That is the right way to put it. If we
have the ores, let 1t be known for the bene-
fit of those who own the property no matter
where located. If we have not, then stop
the delusion and vain boast, and work out
good results On the substantial resources
We are known to have in other profitable
ores and let the Bessemer interests be
worked for the best, and of that &c. s. H."
has expressed some very clear views.