Reports of the Inspectors of Mines of the anthracite coal regions of ...

M ANNUAL REPORT OF THE
be so low that only such collieries as possess superior physical advantages
will be able to work at a profit, the others will stop, and thus reduce the
production, the tide of emigration of labor, that has been flowing so steadily
lor a number of years to the coal fields, will be diverted in another direction,
where there is still ample room and need for it, and where, instead of
producing, it will add to the consumption of coal, the trade will gradually
arise from this depression, and mankind will be taught another lesson from
the book of nature. That all combinations for the purpose of fixing an artificial
price upon the value of any commodity are wrong in principle, such
values being governed by a law of nature, which is as infallible as any
mathematical law, and a thousand times more unalterable than those of the
Medes and Persians—namely, the law of supply and demand.
I have the honor to be
Your Exccllencv's obedient servant,
SAMPSON PARTON.