The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1879-03-14
For the Times.
~ e. =.s For the Times.
The Phosphate Companies and their Rights.

ing facts and figures with reference to the phos-
phat, Companies to which the Union Times adds
little piquant sauce. There is in the Editorial
dcliverances Of this Brood Street Magnate rath-
er too strong flavor Of dogmatism on subjects
in general--a sort Of "you know nothing about
it, style--which it is quite proper that news
paper like the Union Times, which does know 'a
thing two" should politely decline to tolerate.
Now and then, indeed, we find in that organ
of the Neps and Courier's opinion true word.
Here is one: To quote from memory,-'It is
absurd to talk about laying an embargo upon
the expectation Of phosphates." 1t seems that
the Spartanburg County farmers advocated this
measure, and that the Spartan cried Amen!
1t certainly is not by any such unjusti6able
and impracticable proceedings that the question
now disturbing the peace of the agricultural
mind can be satisfactorily settled.
The proprietors of the phosphate wealth of the
:S.ats h.~. s~a..eissefe ehI do what they
will with their own, and the only question for
the farmer to consider is that which immediate
1y concerns themselves. Can any legitimate ac-
tion be taken by them without infringing on
the rights of others, by which such reduction
in the price of Commercial fertilizers may be
secured as, according to their view of the matter
the agricultural interests of the State impera,
lively dcmnndsf
There arc certain questions we have plain
right to ask. For example: At what price per
ton is phosphate rock placed OH shipboard to
Europe? 81? Placed in the European
markets, what price does this phosphate rock
command? SO? Using this phosphate rock
rs q basis, what price is asked by the European
Manufacturers of n high grade fertilizer?-
S22? These questions ore very suggestive.
The conviction in the minds of the farmers
that n Commercial fertilizer of high grade could
be furnished them ut q price certainly not ex-
ceeding $25 a ton, is very profound, and no
contemp,uous fiags at the farmers ignorance
and inability to judge correctly on this fertili-
ger question, by such newspapers the Ne,Os
and Conrier succeed in Une iota in weakening this
cnoviction.
Again, if Charters, purchased from IN utterly
unprincpled Radical Legislature aud endorsed
by blind Democratic Legislature, have en-
trenched themselves beyond possibility of over
throw the farmers want to know it, and propose
to institute very careful search into the matter.
Why not? If q Government Of fraud and foul
play committed n glariag crime against justice
and equity, and an honest Government weakly
blind to it's obligations, confirmed that criminal
action, is it not now and alway permissible un-
careful survey Of the situation There should
he, and possibly may be, way out of this for
midable dilemma.
a friend Of the writer's, ON eminent physician
and Chemist and q gentleman, also, of extended
practical experience in mining operations, is
of opinion, and prepared at any moment to sub
stantiate it, that the pure phosphate rock pre-
pared by pulverization for agricultural purposes
could be put on the market at price considcra-
bly, less than half that now demanded for
the Commercial Acid Phosphatc-say $40 ton
and that it would be greatly more to the
farmersinterest, were lie to leave tho highly
perfumed and watered article at $50 and $50 a
ton severely alone, purchasing only the unatlul-
terated phosphates and supplying himself the
necessary Ammoniacal element.
Such considerations IS these and many others
of similar character have been forced to the
front by the late attempt on the part of the
Phosphate Companies to place the last straw
on the camel backs.
There Is also q rumor afoat-not the writer
trust to be justified by facts-that in the appoint
ment Of Commissioners to examine into this
whole phosphate question, due care has not been
manifested to secure men thoroughly competent
for the work and in no manner likely to bo BIZ
ased, consciously or unconscously, in favor of
the Chartered Companies.
However this may be, it is evident that the
time has come when the relations between the
agricultural interests of the State and the phos-
phate wealth of the State demand serious con-
sideraton.
A. the old established price of Commercial
fertilizers the intelligent farmer well knows
that his dividends from investment in them have
been mcroscopienlly ANAL Ha knews. tnn--
thanks to the News and Courier-that the divi-
dends from the mining and manipulation Of
Phosphates are every encouraging to the Stock
= holders.'
He is only modestly asking why is this so p
He thinks he has right to q straight forward
and categorical answer, and, Mr.. Editor of the
Union Times, he is Of the very decided opinion
that you perfectly agree with him. HE.