The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1874-02-19
PUBLIC wEIGHERS.

Slnce we nave alreauy given some prOml-
nence in our columns to the subject of public
weighers as affected by the provisions of Mr..
Simpsons bill, we cannot refrain noticing
what the Galveston Neaos has to say upon the
subject The Nelos knows that the Office of
weigher has existed by law since 1856; that
the charge or fec now paid for weighing at
Galveston, which is of course chargeable to
the producer, is fifteen cents bale on cotton,
and that the bill proposes tn reduce the num-
Der of officers and appointees in the ratio of
one to seven, besides putting the appointees
under greater and 'grayer responsibilities in
discharge of their duties. The Neaos also
knows that it is no uncommon thing, though
it may by custom be uncommon in Galveston,
for both parties interested in trade to
be present, by agent or otherwise, at the
weighing or measuring of produce bought
and sold. Galveston is the great market
for the cotton crop of Texas-and must
the producers of the State, because
privileged class know it is highly to their adj
vantage, and because the Ne1ts takes sides
with them, be continually subjected to wrongs
at place where they are compelled to send
their produce We simply ask the question;
replying, no! The Legislature, despite such
interested pressure, will pass bill to pro-
tect the planters. The provisions of the bill
are cminently just and proper, and all ac-
knowledge them as So The NeSos wants the
planters to let this little matter alone, and
leave it to business experts, while, if experts
were at discount and honesty at premium,
the planters would be much better off. 1t
wants the planter, after working hard and
producing his means by the sweat Of his
brow, to remain away from the weighing or
measuring of his crops when it is sold.
1t wants him to leave this little matter
to take care of itself in the hands of those in
Galveston who have assumed the extraordi-
nary powers they now possess through the To-
cal authorities. The Neaos is too tender of the
privileges of a class who grow fat and sleek
upon the tolls of the farming people. Their
rights must remain abridged for lining the
pockets of its particular friends the few
must be protected the buyers must have their
particular friends as weighers the farmers or
their agents cannot see to the weighing of cot
ton-and so, the Nelos claims, it should remain,
and that the dear people must not put them
selves to any trouble about such simple little
matter.
1t even goes great deal further in its un-
just defense of the Cotton Exchange of Gal
weston, and wants it, we presume, to continue
its expressions upon the producing public
This institution, not satisfied in restricting the
rights of the producer to supervise his own in
terests in seeing to the weighing of his own
cotton, defends it also in its infamous system
of inspection, for which again the producer
has to pay fifteen cents per bale. This one
little matter gives, as the Nescs would claim,
some two hundred thousand dollars to the ben |
eft of industry and commerce, and takes just |
that much more out of the pockets of produ- |
GERS. 1t is not satisfied with the stealage under
an irresponsible system Of public weighing go
ing to the benefit of all concerned, probably, ,ex-
cept the producer, but is perfectly willing to see
the abominable system above referred to con-
tiaued in its present unjust provisions. Surely |
its motives are of a most disinterested naturel |
The bill regarding public weighers, which the
<lCco NOnlClAlAAc, - q Wise OAc IL VIII DICtlk /
down corrupt combinations and give more |
substantial security to the producers. The
of officers win be taken out of the |
hands Of local authorities and intrustedt to those
who wiz use the power for the general good.
When the Cotton Exchange established rules
which have operated alone in favor of the
buyer, why did not the Nelcs come ut in Z
ponderous set Of articles in defense of the |
rights Of the producersg Why docs it wait
until the wealthy few arc about to have their
golden harvests cut short before it spealzss We
are curious to know whose interest the Neas
represents. Wecan say Il Is not the planters;
nor do we believe It's that Of the factors of Cal
weston. Then whose is its VIII the Ncrs please
rise and explain, and at the same time tell
the dear people something about short weights,
the tricks Of inspection, and all those things
which the Cotton Exchange Of Galveston have
engrafied into a system to operate against the
producery Let il give its blasts in the right
direction, and do a need Of justice to those
who are not present to prevent arguments in
favor Of wrong.