The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-09-27
Cotton wsights---Our Merchants.

Sottou Weights---Uur Merchants.
Ne were Informed few. days ago that false
and malicious report is being circulated through
the County that Cotton weighed upon the Union
scales sometimes loses Ii or 1G pounds. We an
hesi'atingly vtate that the Union Cotton scales
are us, tS 'apd fair as any scales that ever
Fairbanks allowed to leave his Factory, and that
MIR. james FAINT, our Cotton Weigher, not only
knows his duty, but is as honest and conscen-
tious man in its performance as walks in any
part OF the State. If he has any preference it
is for 'hc farmers who bring their Cotton to him
to weigh but he has no preference. Knowing
his duy he dares to do il faithfully. Besides,
we kntw the merchants of this towo too we'll to
belicvethcre is one among them who would for
momelt countcnance so gross fraud upon
the farmers They would oust the weigher the
moment hey suspected him of such dishonor-
able act
Last yea an Intelligent farmer made some
what slinllG complain, jr u, and we asked him
when he weighed his cotton at the gin and when
he sold it. lis reply satisfied us-and we soon
satisfied himt- how the discrepancy arose. lie
weighed at ~ gin just after four days of rain,
doors as welfT IS out of doors, was filled with
moisture, ant ailcr the cotton had been exposed
fer five daysio 70 awann dry atmosphere he brought
it to markegand found it did not weigh as much
as ut tho gn by 10 or II lbs. on the bale
Being fair man, he readily accepted our cx
planation ,nd went away satisfied.
Again, 10 open are our Cotton buyers and
merchants, that, instead of setting the scales"
to allow for the usual "break'' of Abs, the
scales are balanced the same us those used in the
stores, and the Abs ''brcakage" is openly taken
off after the cotton is weighed, SO that the far
mer can see tho transaction.
AS we hpyc often sail before, the Merchants
Of the town of Union arc as high-toncd honor
able men as can be found anywhere, and some
business transactions we have known in other
towns would not be tolerated by them When
person buys of or sells to them he can rest as
sured OF receiving r1scrfy What he b1rass4lss-
for. There's no short weights, short measure,
Or inferior article substituted, to make up for
boasted low prices.
We know this is not the popular opinion in
the country, but we know it is the truth, and
Te further know VIC are only actuated by sense
Idf justice in telling what we believe to be the
tath. Ihat they charged high prices fer their
.tieir goods, in lien times we do not deny but
tlrnjt was a MUTUAL understanding between
Ayer and seller and u most astonishing fea-
tl}r' ,of most of those transactions was, that
many\uyers appeared more eager to buy, if on
credit, at those high prices, than they arc now
at low prices, for cash ; and then many thought
it was no eime to attempt to evade paying for
what'thcy pGrcisascd-in which large number
10y" S"""ossE sE1-. vLIo r,",,. f,ilu-o &c ,,n,.
a"u olher unforeseen occurrences, large num-
Der were unable to pay at all so that the losses
materially reduced the profits.
We don't think our Merchants are rs ent,r-
prslng as some we hear Of, who buy cotton 4,
more than thsy can get for it, and sell goods be-
10" cost We, however, have reason to believe
that even in this they are actuated by the hon.
oraelc desire to keep up their reputation and
credit by paying their debts and avoid di,os.
trouS failures.