The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-06-21

duction at all. Whether the fact is that capital
lists have combined with the millers against the
Sellers or there is but little capital invested in
this branch Of trade and 30 there is established
monopoly, we are unable to ascertain, but SO it is
lumber men are driven to abandon the trade, or
find better market. We are aware that the con-
fict between labor and capital continues as it
always has, and that capital still maintains its ad-
vantage, but in this age Of revolutions it would
be surprising, if by con ,entration and combina-
tions OF labor well directed capital shall not be
forced 10 yield equal justice and fair remuneration
to labor.
There is no reason why timber at another port,
as easily reached, with but trihing additional ex-
penses, should always command price nearly
100 per cent. above Charleston market. I am
aware that various reasons have been assigned
why this is 30. It has been said that as large
ships cannot be loaded in Charleston as at savan-
nah but am told that is not 80, the entrance at
Charleston being equally acceptable with her sister
city. We are told, also, Of differences in measure
ment and inspection, which accounts for the diff
ference in price. There may be, and probably is,
something in these but if our system Of inspec-
ton and measurement is faulty, why not correct
them, and establish standard equal to our neigh
bors, not encourage the cutting and bringing to
MARKET Of inferior timber, and then to take
advantage Of the fault, to reduce the price to a
point 80 low as to bankrupt every man who is dar-
ing enough to embark in the business. The truth
is that measuring timber in Charleston is mere
humbuggery, but the charges are feeling reality;
and as for inspection, there is literally none.
presume the measurer and inspector is elected by
your City Council, and that being elected or ap-
pointed there is no further responsibility. It
strikes me that these matters should come within
the supervision Of the Board Of Trade at all events
there is in all this timber trade subject to which
desire to call its particular attention. under
stand that body to have been created for the purpose
Of giving character and tone to all commercial trans
actions, and so far as it's peculiar province may
tend, to enquire into and correct all such evils as
may continue to prevail, either as the result Of
following out some oldfashoned course Of trade or
by trammelling particular branch Of business,
such as this, with petty expenses and i'll
performed duties, thus destroying the
value of honest industry. II capital persists in
combinations against labor; if trade is encum-
bered with host Of triAing expenses; if mar
ket has only nominal standard Of requirement as
| to quality, and then takes advantage Of its own
wrong-doing; il honest industry cannot find its
reward in Charleston market, then labor must
direct its products into another channel where il
is sure and certain to meet its reward.
The City Of Charleston is now setting out in q
new race for commercial power and influence. It
will not do, think, to follow up the old narrow,
irregular, digested plan Of building railroads in
distant states to the damage Of hone trade and
home industry however that may be, the timber
cutters will, most assuredly, seek their interests
wherever it may be found. The best market, tax.
ing all things into consideration, will command
the trade, even though we are obliged to go out Of
the State to find it. More Of this hereefter.
TIMBER CUTTER.