Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1888-03-31

statement as to weights.
Senator McKaig said if the com
panles had let this bill alone it might
have been vetoed. He exhibited what
ne esteemed the good points of the
olll. Delird the corporatinns to show
hat he had not extended them due
tuurtcsieS
MIR. Mayer disputed this, and in re-
ply to statement of McKaig's that
one of the charges was made at the
Instance of Mr.. Loveridge, expressed
his sincere regret that Mr.. Loveridye
was not here. He felt sure that if the
latter had made the suggestion it was
done without opportunity to investi-
gate the matter thoroughly.
Continuing, Mr.. McKaig said that
Mr.. Benson had stated that 900 feet
between mine and scales would be suf-
hclent. In answe, to chairman said
he "had done AL he could to have the
bill perfected" Present law required
no qualifications for inspector. Vndl-
Gated himself from aSpersions east om
his career In the Senate. He was noi
il miner; did not know whether bin
was just or unjust; if the former ii
ought toraSs if the latter it ought not.
Replying to Il question by chairman, II,
did not feel sure about advising the
committee what to do with the amend
ents. Chairman pressed him CLOSELY
until he gave the opinion that ''if the
bill ever goes back to the Senate it will
not become law"
During his remarks Mr.. McKaic
STATED that in 1873 the bill then pro-
posed was denounced by the companies
AS rulnous to the region that if passed
it would close the mines, etc. One OF
the strongest speeches he ever heard
was delivered against the present law
by Mr.. Loveridge. but the mines were
not closed yet. He appealed to the
memory of the JOURNAL to verify this
The JOURNAL replied modestly, as is it,
wont, because it did not wish to be
understood as present save in the spir.
ltual senSe-as a paper, that the bill
which Mr.. Loveridge antagonized 50
forclbly never became II law that one
Of the happy results Of his great speech
was the enactment of the magnificent
mining law under which we live, move
and prosper; that the original bill,
the one opposed by Mr.. Loveridge.
survived the House but persisted in the
Senate.
The chairman turned from McKaig
to Cunningham with the same inquiry.
The latter replied that rather than see
the proposed amendments embodied il
the bill he would have the whole buSi-
ness chucked in the FIRE. The chair
man reminded him that the commitle,
did not desire to dispose of the bill il,
that way; they wanted to return it T."
the House with recommendations i
possible. which would injure no one
Mr.. Mayer, among other unanswer-
able declarations, said the companies
wanted the hest man for Inspector
Thought all the inspectors We're capa-
bic men, certainly the three last.
Mr.. Cunningham partially differed
with Mr.. Mayer by remarking-"Mr.
Hamll is the poorest we ever had !"
Mr.. Wilkinson, of the committee,
inquired about the epoch in this region
known AS the Age of Indignation"
Cunningham's indiscriminate use of
the term, ''indignatlon meetings" had
impressed Wilkinson. Every open-air
crowd in Il bOlted, barred assembly hall.
Sentineled by guard with Il combina-
ton open sesame, took shape in Gun
nlngham's fiery Oratory as IAN indig-
nation meeting" Wilkinson referred
TO the governor Lloyd indignationistS,
Mr.. Mayer replied that an apology for
these demonstrations was afterwards
made by men prominent as projectors
and participants.
Mr.. Cunningham characterized this
statement as ''false.'
The chairman vainly endeavored to
have the proceedings move smoothly,
but the debate degenerated into dis
pute over incidentals. The advocates
of the bill were stunned by the presence
Of the miners. and they fought as men
whose ambush had been discovered.
Mr.. Mckaig made more of an apology
than an argument for the bill, and Mr..
Cunningham gave louder voice to the
caploded assumptions Of corporate OPP
preston of labor in this region. His
reflection upon the character of the
four men who chose to oppose the bill
was that of Legislative desperate, and
it is a lasting pity that each of the four
enjoyed no opportunity to resent 1t in
manner that would sting and swell.
Each is his peer, measured by any
standard he may erect, and each should
make it his business to permit Mr.. Gun
ningham to understand that fact when
and wherever the latter chooses to re-
peat the impeachment.
IL. 4 Il