The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-29
WHAT THE PLANTERS 1--WE TO SA1
ON THE RICE TIERCE QUESTION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS

ON THE RICE TIERCE QUESTION.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.
have Just seen the card Of Messrs. T. Tup
per & Sons, and others, purchasers Of rice
addressed to the rice factors Of Charleston, il
which they have agreed or combined to discon.
tinue, after the first of May, the usual charge
for the tierces in which the rice is held fol
market. Your comment upon this suggestion
is an approval or endorsement as calculated to
commerce of the State" From the high char.
acter CT the gentlemen signing this agree.
ment, I take it for granted they are not only
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
OF the City Of Charleston. Their suggestion
is, however, grave innovation upon eonven-
tional usage much more aged and time-hon-
ored than either of the gentlemen who con-
jointly undertake to advise the factors as to
the INTEREST of their customers.
The planter will be the first to feel the effect
of this innovation or reputation OF an old and
well established custom, and the demonstra-
ton is BY no means clear that he will receive
the proposed additional compensation for his
grain in lieu of the price Of the tierce. E1pe-
rience will settle this point, but then it will be
too !ste for the planter to demur. 1t will not
be- considered impertinent, therefore, on behalf
OF the planters, if they should assume to in
struct their factors on this and other points
affecting themselves directly if not vitality,
rather than submit to the dictatio-I of third
party. Disclaiming any disposition to cavil
or criticise unfairly tho opinions OF those who
Justly claim to be "aliye to the interests of the
city, We simply ask, now that that the time has
arrived sfor 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 be is Justly entitled. Testimony is scarce.
" necessary to verify the losses to which tho rice
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.
Then comes the cooper, almost invariably pro-
yided 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
have witnessed the stealing with buyer and
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
aggregate it was too small to make a fuss
about; that custom sanctioned it, and no one
individually could oppose it without odium.
It 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 aggregate they actually do
support the tables of very many families.
But let US fellow up the programme. The
rice is sold, and the cooper ls again brought
into requisition to overhaul and tighten up the
necessary or not, charge is always made for
each tierce in every lot of rice put on the mar
ket. No allowance is made for those requiring
no cooperage, and yet I have known at least
three .fourths o: parcel to pass to the buyers
without nail being driven or hoop adjusted,
and the planter charged the full price Tor ordi-
nary cooperage. Is this right or wrong2
Should custom or usage justify it if wrong?
We come now to the most important character,
the welgh-master. He is, We believe, sworn
officer, and unimpeachable. BE finds tlercs
weighing $50 pounds, and openly registers it 746
-four pounds short. Each and every tierce re-
ceives the same deduction, and for this tret he
is sustained by the law OF usage. The merchant
claims it as his rightful perquisite, and his
claim is sanctioned by the Chamber Of Com
tI6Ied. Il Gr tr9 pe hfu
pounds of clean rice out OF every hundred
terces, and gives it to the, merchant, without
ing and the factor or planters agent, is coolly
pointed to the "liberal facilities OF railroads
and steamboats, for the extension of the trade
of the CITY," as an inducement to acquiesce in
the suggestion to abolish the payment
for the tierccs in which the rice is sold.
Be it 80. 'Let us have peace" But l
tell you, gentlemen, if you begin with inno-
vations, sweep clean. have intimated where
you may strike for planter as well as merchant
for large portion OF the State, as well us Tor
tho City Of Charleston. The planter makes
nothing on the sale of his barrels, for they arc
charged to the rice buyer at mill prices. The
miller alone makes profit, and he might just
as reasonably expect to be paid by the increas-
ed price for the grain, with the tierce thrown
in, as the planter. The practical result will be
against the planter, at the rate OF 81 so for
every tlerce he sends to market. II necessary
tor Charleston to conform to the usages OF
other large cities or business centres, by all
means do 30; but repudi ste at once, with ,ut
all 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 ~ he re-
ceves to work his lands, in advances ut twen-
ty five to thirty per cent. interest, with two
and-a-half per cent. added for purchasing
plantation supplies, &C., &C.; but just so soon as
these obligations are cancelled and agriculture
is recus Grated, will there be change in the
present system Of factorage. Tho expenses
Of the rice plsnter are more than the crop
will bear, even at present prices. The Northern
and Western markets will be open to the plant
er as well as the merchant, and the local taxes
and commercial regulations OF Charleston, ur-
less modified, may ultimately prove the clog 10
her prosperity. She is more dependent upon
tue State than the State upon her, whether
sho 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. IIDE-wATER.