The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-29

", NUN LA \ MOKNlT
WHAT THE PLANTERS HAZE no SAP
ON THE RICE TIERCE QUESTION:
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS
Ihave just seen the card OF Messrs. T. Tup-
per & Sons, and others, purchasers Of rice,
addressed to the rice factors Of Charleston, in
which they have agreed or combined to discon-
tnue, after the first OF May, the usual charge
for the tierces in which the rice is held for
market. Your comment upon this suggestion
is an approval or endorsement, as calculated to
remove 'another clog from the wheels of the
commerce Of the State" From the high char
acter Of the gentlemen signing this agree
earnest but honest in their convictions, and
that they sincerely desire the prosperity Of the
planters OF the State, as we'll as the merchants
is. however, q grave innovation upon . conven-
tional usage much more aged and time-hon-
ored than either Of the gentlemen who con-
Jointly undertake "a e to advise the factors as to
The planter will be the first to feel the effect
OF this innovation or repudiat ton Of an old and
we'll established custom, and the ;demonstra-
the proposed additional compensation for his
grain in lieu Of the price Of the tierce. Expe-
rience will settle this point, hut then it will be
too late for the planter to demur. 1t will not
o. the planters, If they should assume to in
struct their factors on this and other points
affecting themselves directly il not vitality,
rather than submit to the dictaeio- of third
party. Dsclaiming any disposition to cavil
or criticise unfairly the opinions of thpse who
justly claim to be ''alive to the interests Of the
city, we simply ask, now that that the time has
arrived "for the removal Of clogs," that all the
points OF difference between buyer and seller be
fully and fairly ventilated, and that the interest
OF the planter receive that Consideration to
which he is justly entitled. Testimony is scarce
planter is subject. First, in the way of samp-
ling. The seller takes his pounds, quarts, or
more, to his Office for inspection. Second, the
buyers or proposed purchasers each do ditto.
vided with bag or bucket; he takes enough to
make an easy fit Of the heading, which has to
be replaced after sampling. How. much, no
one seems to see or care to see, for myself
seller within ten feet) Of at least eight to ten
pounds, and upon bringing the matter to his
notice the factor quietly informed me that it
could not be prevented, and that really in the
about; that custom sanctioned it, and no one
individually could oppose it without odium.
Il might justly be considered picayunish to
collect all of the samples thus taken and stored
away for comparison, to be restored to their
owners. Yet in the aggregatethey actually do
support the tables Of very many families.
But let US fellow up the programme. The
rice is s0 and the y brought
tierces for reshipment. Whether it be FUND
necessary or not, charge is always made for
each tjerce in every lot OF rice put on the mar
ket. No allowance is made for those requiring
no cooperage, and yet I havo known at least
hree-fourths Of parcel to pass to the buyers
without q nail being driven or hoop adjusted,
and the planter charged the full price for ordi-
nary cooperage. Is this right or wrong !?
Should custom or usage justify 1t if wrong 2
We come now to the most important character
the weigh-master. He is, we believe, sworn
officer, and unimpeachable. Hes finds tlercey
weighing 750 pounds. and openly registers it 746
-four pounds short. Each and every tierce res
ceives the same deduction, ands sr this tret hA,
is sustained by the law Of usage The nerchaHf
claim ls sanctioned by the. chamber Of Com.
meroe cnatnn too venerable to be- auos-
toned. 1t takes from the planter four hundred
pounds pounds Of clean !: rice out Of every hundred
other consideration than the grace Of purchas-
ing; and the factor. or planters agent, is cooly
pointed to the "Hberal facilities OF railroads
OFT Of the city as an mi inducement to acuuiesce I in
the suggestion to abolish the payment
for the tierces in which the rice is sold
Be 1t 30. Let us have peace" But I
s a i SoV Gsg xh
you may strike for planter as well as merchant
for 2 large portion OF the State, as well as for
Charged to the rice buyer at mili prices. M '' The
miller alone makes profit, and he might just
ls reasonably expect to be paid by the increas-
ed price for the grain, with the tierce, thrown
against the planter. at the rate Of 81 so for
every tlerce he sends to market. IF necessary
tor Charleston to conform to the usages of
other large cities or business centres, by all
means do 80; but repudi ate at once, with out
discrimination. ali customs which are unjust.
The poor planter will again be rich. For the
present he may be obliged to pay tribute to
Charleston for the accommodation (2) he re-
ceiyes to work his lands, in advances at twen-
ty-hve to thirty per cent. interest, with two
and-a-half per cent. added for purchasing
plantation supplies, &c., &o: but just so soon as
these obligations are cancelled and agriculture
ls recuperated. will there be change in the
present system of factorage. The expenses
OF the rice planter are more than the crop
will bear, even at present prices. The Northern
or as we'll as the merchant, and the local taxes
and commercial regulations Of Charleston, un-
less modified, may ultimately prove the clog tc
her prosperity. She is more dependent upon
the State than the State npon her, whether
she realizes the fact or not; but as common
wealth their obligations are mutual and recip
rocal, and the success of agriculture will insure
commercial prosperity. All we ask is fair play
for both country and city. TIDE-wATER.
THE RADICAL REBELLION.
What the South Caroline De1eg ation
in Congress Think OF the Imaigna tion
Doings at Columl,ia-One OF the ssIns'
Reads q Lecture to the Disconsolats
"Outs.'' F ~
The editor OF the South Carolina Republican
having taken care to provide himself in good
season with q comfortable berth in the Office
Of the Secretary Of the Senate at Washington
is righteously wroth at the howl Of rage
and disappointment recently set up (somewha'
prematureiy. as he says,) by the hungry crev
of his Republican brethren at the State Capital