The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-02-06
Tho Phosphate Meeting.

! Tho Phosphate Meeting.
| In accordance with the published call for
& meeting of the farmers OF Anderson
County Mt Anderson Court House on last
Monday to take into consideration the nc
ton of the manufacturers Of commercial
phosphatcs, by which they had combined
to raise the cotton option price of fertilizers,
large crowd assembled in tile Masonic
Hall at twelve o'clock, and organized by
electing Col. Thomas II. Russell President
and Col. r. w. Simpson Secretary.
Hon. w. G.. Brown moved that COM
mittee of one from each township be ap-
pointed to consider and report upon oil res
olutions which should be brought before
| the meeting.
| Pending the consideration of the resolu-
ton Col. L. NJ. Ruckcr addressed the meet
ing and urged the Importance of conbina-
ton of the agricultural interests of tho
country to resist the encroachments of mo-
nopoiists, and secure for the farmer that
consideration and protection to which he
is entitled. During his speech Col. Rucler
was frequently cheered, and ut its conclu-
sion Maj. George w. Maret spoke in favor
OF the resolution, taking the ground til ut
the present prices of fertilizers would be
ruinous to those who use them, and that
the meeting should do something TO secure
unity of action among the farmers of this
and surrounding counties.
DR.. Browns resolution was then adopted
and the following committee was appointed
under it:
Brushy Creek, J. Jameson; Garyin, John
Newton; Pendleton, w. w. Russell; Fork,
G.. w. Maret; Williamson, DR.. John Will
son; Hopeweil, n. B. Williams; Centre
Vile, 7. neltcn Watson; Rock Mills, Insenh
Caldwell Bolton, DR.. w. C. Brown; Broad
awny, l.. e. Campbell; Anderson, e. NJ.
Rncker; Yarennes, Il. E. Stevenson ; Sa-
vannah, VIM. Jones; Honea Path, r. N.
Wright; Martin, James Drake; Hall. J. P.
McGcc; Corner, DR.. J. II. Reid.
Hon. r. w. Simpson and w. w. Russell.
ESQ.,, offered resolutions, which were read
and referred to the committee, and Colonel
Simpson spoke with earnestness upon the
subject, expressing himself in favor " re-
pealinS all of the phosphate rights .,.'antcd
away by the State, and entering upon and
vent the expectation Of this valuable mine
of State wealth, which, under the present
system, was being rapidly removed from
the State at mere song. He was in favor
of the State manufacturing commercial fer
tilizcrs and furnishing it to the planters of
the State at the cost OF manufacture. He
spoke OF the immense opposition which
would como from those now engaged in the
manufacture of phosphates to such pro-
position, and urged the plante to make
strong and vigorous fight for it, assuring
them that in the end they would succeed,
and Teap the great advantages to be derived
from such course. He told them that
ceasing to use these phosphates for the
present season might reduce the price some,
but that the companies now engaged in the
manufacture of these .phosphates have q
demand outside of tho State for more than
they can supply, and therefore the only
permanent remedy for the monopoly is
State interference.
at the conclusion of his remarks, which
wcro frequently applauded, Col. Simpson
was, by motion, added to the committee.
which then retired into one of the rooms to
prepare the report.
During this absence, Maj. E. B. Murray,
by invitation. addressed the meeting, and
spoke of the combination of manufacturers
showing disposition to control the price
OF fertilizers by other means than the rules
which regulate the common business OF life,
and the result OF this action in the Augusta
meeting was to fix an arbitrary value on
guano when paid in cotton, and to remove
that healthful competition which is regula-
ted by supply and demand. Ho thought
the combinations which are entered into by
capital in tho commercial centres was the
source Of much loss and hardship to pro-
ducers generally. The reduction of the
cash price OF fertilizers anu increasing the
cotton option price was of very little conse-
quence to the planter as nineteenth of
them buy on the cotton option plan. and
therefore could not avail themselves of
cash rates. He expressed himself ns op.
posed to the State engaging in manufacture
ing as general rule, but said that unless
the guano companies renefla from, thei- ~.
warranted exactions in this matter he wouid
favor the State entering into the manufac-
turc of commercial fertilizers, and by COM
petition forcing these companies to come
down.
The committee on resolutions then made
tho following report, which was nnani.
mously adopted after remarks from Capt.
w. D. Evins, who spoke in favor of it.
claiming that he had advocated these views
for long time past:
ResnLred. BY tho citizens of Anderson
County, in mass meeting assembled, that
the recent action of the companies n,ann-
featuring commercial mnnures, at a meet
ing in Augusta, December 18th, 1873. band
ing themselves together, and in the midst
of general suffering, and at time when ali
kinds of agricultural products are deprecial
ted In price, and when the great mass OF the
tilleIs of the soil find it hard to exist. thev
regard as q public wrong and blow aimed
at the best interest Of this Commonwealth.
Resolve5, That the ,nunopolists who con-
spired to commit this wrong are encInies to
the farming community, and as such should
be deprived Immediately of any and oil
privileges cithor 20 dig, mino or rDannfac-
tnre commercial fertilizers.
Hcsolped, That we appeal to farmers. and
all Others interested in the success of agri-
culture, wherever scattered over the State.
70 unite in opposition TO the phosphato
| Inonopoiists and all the influence tliey can
/ bring TO bear, md TO continue In their oppo-
lisition until eyeTsg vestige of n n,onopolv.
! which seeks self n2s-aDdlzenaent at the o..
lieIlSe ar tie rights or others, Il rooIaH ON
| e4istence. "a