The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-20

| No PHOSPHATE MONoPoLY-TuE SENTIMENT
OF THE PUBLIC on THE PROPOSED BILL.-During
the last few days the principal topic OF converse
tion in Charleston business circles has been what
is called the Phosphate bill, now before the Leg
islature, which proposes tSEYc to certain priv
legged capitalists the eXclusiveoght to mine phos-
pilates in the beds of the navigable rivers and
streams of the State.
AS soon rs the bill became known, there was
buzz OF Indignation. The first question asked
was: How the thing had been kept so quiet? To
this the usual reply was that money was spent
freely in Columbia TO lobby the bill through; that
COrbin was promised fec OF $4,000, and that
bribes had been offered the correspondents OF the
city papers to induce them to keep their mouths
shut. or course the last part OF the plan worked
badly. Correspondents did make the bill public
I'm time, and In Charleston and Columbia the
press opened fire upon the would-be nonopolists.
As carly as Thursday II was evident that stren-
uous efforts would be made to defeat the bill, and
when, on Saturday, the statement was made III
THE NEWS that the bill would most probably pass,
the antl-monopolists set to work at once to make
their hostility tell. BY noon the walls were deco
rated with antmonopoly posters. BY the side or
the flaming announcements Of "l;oSedale," and
the fading glorics OF Pluto's balloon. were sharp
" written appeals to the colorcd people to rally
against "the phosphate-grabbing monopolisis.' y
The people were invited to assemble In mass
meeting at night, and q memorial OF which the
following is copy, was left for signature at varl'
Gus public places:
To the Honorable the Members or the Senate ana
House Of Representatives Qrhe State 0Y S0"t?
Carolina:
Thn undersigned citizens OF South Carolina
pray yOur honorable bodies that you Will not
pass the bil now pending before you. ITO grant
TO certain persons therein named the exclusive
right TO dig and mine in the beds OF the navga-
BILE streams and waters Ofthe State for phosphate
rocks and phosphate deposits" for the following
among other reasons:
First. Because it grants monopoly OF prlyi-
lege which may be worth millions Of dollars To
small number of rich capitalists; and monopollcs
are, and always have been, Odous.
Second. Because this bill will deprive very
large number OF poor men, (white and cOlOred,l
OF means OF honest livelihood, which they now
derive from digging these phospha!cs from the
rivers, as they are entitled BY law to 10. Ana
some Of those who are now asking for this mo-
nOpOy have been Ia the habit or buying these
ph0sphatc5 from these poor men.
Third Because this bill will injure those citizens
OF this State, and from other States, who have
for digging phosphates, and will transfer their
profits TO n small "ring" or capitalists, who do
not propose to give anything for it but 20 or 40
cents a ton.
In the State, white and black, are directly inter-
| ested that the immepse revenue which may be
derived from this unexpected source shall so
into the treasury OF the State, and thereby lessen
the taxes and pay the debt OF the State; anu not
60 TO enrich those who have done nothing TO en-
title them to Ii.
Fifth. Because the poor fishermen and owners
OF small boats also dig this phosphate, can anoru
ho ctot ia prlv n 1ipUiup
than the large capitalist can, and thus give
greater revenue 10 the State than can be derived
from the moDopolists, and yet earn an honest
living, Of which they will bc deprived 10y this
bill.
Sixth. Because the Legislature cannot take
away that which belongs alike to all citizens oil
the United States, and give 1t to q small company
And your petitioners will ever pray and SO
forth.
The call for the meeting was addressed to the
coiored people, and here Is one OF the peculiar
features Of the whole affair. White and black,
Radical and Democrat, alike condemn the Phos
phatc bill rs a job which must be exposed, and, in
lighting the bill, there is no distinction OF race,
color or party.
The brief notice given OF the proposed meeting
prevented q large assemb!age at the Military
Hall on Saturday night and after an interchange
OF views 1t was decided by those present to call
mass meeting tonight, when the phosphatc-dis-
giag monopoly could be discussed in oil its bear
ings.
The question has excited considerable interest
not only in this community, but among the resi-
dents OF the phosphate sections many OF whom
have supported themselves by the sale OF phos-
phate rock taken from the bed OF tho rivers. A
large order for nat boats has been given TO q
prominent builder OF this city TO be used for rive
phosphate digging, and Mr.. Angus Smith, prom.
inent diver of this city, has invented dredge TO
be used solely for this purpose. The meeting TO-
night will doubtless be largely attended, and the
opponents OF the phosphate monopoly viii bring
their heaviest batteries to bear upon the proposed
bll.