The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-11
IN THE CORRIDORS.
Interesting Chat Heard at the
Different Hotels.

Thomas Wrenn, of Pottsville, Pa, an
old and experienced mine-owner, was at
the Ponce de Leon yesterday. In course
of conversation, Mr.. Wrenn said: 81
am now returning from long trip
| through the mining regions of Virginia.
Before l inspected this section of coun-
try had 70 idea OF what it contained.
| Why, sir, it is one of tho richest mining
countries in the world. In many places
the drift veins are from nine to ten
feet thick. with length that is yet to
be detern ined. The coal is bituminous,
soft and easily mined, while with us in
| Pennsylvania it is anthracite and is eX-
ceedingly hard, requiring drills to mine
it. This Virginia coal is the finest for
| coking purposes that is on tho market.
and you would be surprised to know of
| the vast number of coke ovens that are
now in operation in these coal folds.
"In this same section are inexhausti-
bic quantities Of rich iron ore, and tho
day is not far off when this will be as dis.
tinctively mining region as is any
part Of my State. Indeed, when you
consider the fact that from this coke is
manufactured softer, stronger and bet
ter grade Of iron than we can make, it
looks as though the time is not far dis
tant when Pennsylvania will be com-
PEELED 20 assume a secondary position in
manufacturing it. The future of this
country, could it be seen, would, in my
opinion, fair. y dazzle the understanding.
l am now nearly seventy years old; 1
have been in this business all my life,
and speak as one who knows some
thing about the value of mines"
Questioned about the political situa-
lican. In my opinion Harrison has
been perfectly consistent in his admin
istration, which has been thoroughly
honest, economical, and an era of pros
perity to the country. 1t is true that
there has been somewhat Of a financial
stripgency during the past two years,
but for that the Republican party is in
no way responsible. During Mr.. Har-
rison's administration the navy of the
United States has been strengthened
and improved, commercial relations
with foreign countries extended, better
international postal facilities added,
and internal improvements carried on
that compare most favorably with any
of the administrations of his 'prede-
cessers.
why the Republican party or any
part thereof should fail to support his
has carried out. or attempted to do so,
all of the issues upon which he was
elected. and 1 firmly believe that the
people of the country will demonstrate
the fact that they endorse his policy by
electing him to the Presidency in No
vember."
W. II. Searles. of Little Rock, Ark,
was in The city yesterday for few hours
and In reply to question as to the
politics Of his State he said "Of course,
we are Democratic. The Farmers
Alliance, which at one time had as
sumed threatening proportions, is now
in state Of subsistence. However we
may fight among ourselves over there,
we always in national elections return
to our first love. With US the negro is
q considerable factor, md the mere fact
that the Republican party has again
foisted upon the country the force bill
as an issue is sufficient to make all good
citizens, whatever party they may be-
long to. vote against the Republican
ticket. We know by costly experience
what 1t means to have negro rule, which,
force bill or no force bill, we will never
permit again.
Eyes, we are accused of denying the
negro his privilege to vote and in other
ways taking from MIN those God. given
prerogatives of which we hear so much
from his so called Northern friends.
Now l want to make to you statement
and from it draw your own inferences
In some localities IN Arkansas it is true
that there is negro majority but TAX
ing the State over the white population
mostly preponderate. Even in the dis
tricts there is majority of whites.
Because we do not decorate our capitol
with this colored brio "a brac, elect
negro governors and send negroes to
Congress. the broad minded philanthro.
pic politicians of the North. who are
always ready to shed copious tears over
the poor down-trodden Africans oppres-
sion, lift up their voices and weep out
bitter maledictions against the bloody,
biarsted, murderous South and like
Rachel of old, refuse to be com forted,
because it would leave them without
job.
But in Arkansas. so long as this gov
eminent rests upon the right of the
majority to govern, we will not turn
over our State to be run by lot of
Ignorant, irresponsible negroes and
Yankee tramps, and as this can only be
prevented through TIE Democratic party
you may expect in November, as at ali
times until conditions change, a hand
some majority for the old party of law,
order and economy"
Package Party.
The girls OF tho Calvary Rant;st