Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1899-08-26
\ Vulnerable PubliCiSt.

August ). Indeed, the Cumberland
daiIies have 50 much advantage in the
way Of space for the ventilation of
their prejudices against their best
friends the people Of Georges Creek,
that it is quite impossible to meet them
opportunely.
1t is enough to say now in eXplana-
tiOn of this preface that faction of
Cumberland people, through the
author of Good Government-What
is 1t ?' continues to hold that Cumber-
lands rgh. to river water for domestic
purposes sapersedes that ofupper Poto-
mac people for. manufacturing pur-
poses.
1t required over three columns to
develop that issue, but that is the long
and short of it.
The volunteer editor quotes judicial
opinion at length-opinion to which
the JOURNAL has neither the ability nor
disposition to dissent.
For if Judge Blacks decision and
that of the new Jersey jurist hold
good against the pulp mills they also
hold good against the mines and other
sources of pollution along Georges
Creek.
SO with the States attorneys oath.
If he swears to execute his office
"wlthout partlality or prejudice" it
is impossible to see how he can ac-
cordingly proceed against the acids Of
the pulp mill and not against the green
vitriol of the mines.
The temporary occupant of the
Mdependents editorial chair then asks
this practical question
Suppose some individual or corporation
should locate ob3rc the Luke pulp mill
manufacturing establishment and proceed to
pour into the waters of the Potomac an eff
fluent as noxious and polluting as the Lukes
do, what would the Lukes do?
The JOURNAL very frankly answers
that the Lukes must take the chances.
They must not only do so, but they have
done it, so far at IL cost of so, 900!
The sawmills and tanneries above
them have made the water wholly uu
fit for use in at least one important
department of their mills. More saw
mills, tanneries, etc, are locating on
the river and its tributaries to the
augmenting deterioration Of the qual-
lty of the water, against which they
are absolutely defenseleSs-M other
peoples expense.
The editor pro tenn makes, finally, an
appeal to all the great people Of the
county to take part against the hum
bier folk who want to make permanent
their homes on Georges Creek.
But if the Cumberland brotherhood
of powers will look at the matter in its
true aspect they will see that the Big
Vein is rapidly disappearing that,
sooner or later, the miners will have
to go down to the lower and more diff
ticult seams. This means harder and
more perllous work for many Of their
number and such of their children as
cannot find at home other means of
living.
To reimburse themselves in part for
the loss Of the Big Vein, they had
hoped to make the region centre of
gravity for manufacturing enterprises.
There are one thousand young women
in Frostburg alone-daughters and
sisters of miners-who would gladly
welcome employment such as the
factory atfords-young people, too,
who want to stay in ''the land Of their
birth and home of their youth''-young
people who do not even want to be
driven for Il living from pollution of
the river at home to pollution at Cum
berland.
The editor dd interim aflirms that
The JOURNAL frequently descants learnedly
upon the blessings of good government. but
in all controversies between the masses and
corporate power and monopoly the JOURNAL
always appears IN opposition to the masses.
Without going to the pains of deny
ing this, we will ask-what is the Jour.
NAL to do when mass is pitted against
mass
And when this patron of ''the
masses Is standing for the Cumber-
land contingent, what other than the
interests Of the Georges Creek masses
is he opposing?
By the way, who is this interloper
into the Indtpendent'S columns anyway?
The JOURNAL inquiries because 1t
entertains seriously Il doubt whether
he has any moral or economical right
to appeal to judge Black for an en-
dOrsemcut of any one-sided, One-eyed
position he will take upon any issue
wherein either equity or justice, as
these qualities are understood in this
age. is involved
If he is as radically orthodox as he
pretends to be, he would hold to
reasonable account the Cumberland
lawyers who are defending the Lukes
against the Cumberland "masses ?"
In conclusion, the JOURNAL is con-
I II Al Al