Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1863-02-06
SALT.

We call attention to the sketch of the debate
in the House of Commons, Saturday last, on
the proposition to authorize the contract for
lOO,O 900 bushels of salt at eight dollars Der
buonei. An attempt to suspend the rules AMI
pass 1t without debate, as was done in the Sen.
ate. was met by Messrs Costuer and Person
and promptly defeated. NJ. Person made
startling exposure of the attempt to replete the
public treasury upon very d"u btful pretext.
Soon after the legislature mad passed a resolu-
ton au. horizng the Governor 50 remove the
salt o,ed at Wilmington, we are ntor med
that the Governor vent to Wilmington and
offered he salt makers eight doliels per bushel
for the salt and it was refused. Now, when
the curing season is nearly over and the mon
opoIy is endangered by the approach Of the
my, these contractors patrioticalty offer to
the State their stock at price at least three
dollars above the market rates at Wilmington
and in addl.on require the State to insure their
works from the enemy ! We are informed
salt cao be, or at least has been. purchased
aeely tor five dollars per bu>he on the coast
end yields an enormous profit at that price.
The vigilance Of Mr.. Person has given time for
enquiry, and trust the House will make a
searching inqusiton into the facts "f the trans
action. Eight hundred thousand dollars first
cost to which is to be added transport ation.
storage, and the salaries of officers To super.
intend its sale and distribution, these Charges
with the accustomed waste Of several pounds
| in each tu.hh by 'drippirg." will Increase the
cost to one million, . vast sum for the State to
risk in mere speculation. If peace should
come, the salt would rot sell for twenty thous-
and dollars, and even in case the war should
continue there will be an ample supply from
the State works in Virginia. where the salt
can be had tor cne dollar and fifty cents per
bushel and, with cost Of transportation. eau be
delivered in the interior OF the State at four
/ dollars per bushel.
/ We hope the members OF the House will
refer to Mr.. Wuodfns report which is in their
hand printed by order of the House. They will
/ find that, if halt the energy that is display ed
on bshaIt Of the Wilmington monopolists, was
directed to our State Salt works in Virginia, an
ample supply of salt of superior quality,
could be had for half the price demanded by
the terms OF this contract. At least 100000
bushels are now in possession Of Mr.. Woodfn
aud are only awating transportation. II the
Governor would bring his atter tion to the
matter of transportation between this and the
SaHville works. there will be DO occasion to
r,skfa million of money for the benefit of men
who main tanned an ex'ortionate price A. loEg a.
possible and only reduce their charges when the
monopoly IS slipping from their hands. ga
Salt IS coming down in every market. The
city of Petersburg is. supplying her citizens
| at 8 cents ID or 8 dollars bashe!. Way
cannote our State foliuw suit 81 t
| The joint select committee on salt, seems to
have examined the resolution with their eyes
shut, but, from the spirit which animates the
House We have no fear Of the result. II the
will be beneficial to the public interests let il
be authorized. il not the House will do ias duty
and eject il - Stats Journal
4 49, -. = s.-- ------>nr- - -
i Rather a spicy sthing occurred at Weldon
/ N. c., few days ago, in the way of trial.
/ private OF one Of the companies was srraignec
for hog Stealing. W hen called on for his de-
/ fence he denied the charge stoutly, averrins
THAT mule bad kicked the hog, and out OF com
passion he went to bleed him, and that the hoe
Adisd during the oppsrstions . -