The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1879-02-18
columbus Democrat, 12th inst.)
THE TOBACCO WAREHOUSE.
What Ex-Inspector Watson Has to
SAY

THE TOBACCO WAREHOUSH.
What Ek-Inspector Watson Has t<
SAY
Mr. W. C. Watson, the late State In
spector of Tobacco, II In the city, set
tling bis accounts with the State Treasu
rer. He has paid In the Treasury the
Immense amount OF 81 30, A reporter
OF the Democrat encountered him and
Mr.. Watson began an interview by say
ing: .,ri'@
~ read the article In the Democrat on
the tobacco warehouse"
"Well, how did you Ike IT." said The
man With pencil.
II agree With some portions OF 1t
There we're several errors in II. The
Commissioners names are Isaac Morton
c n. Hare and Isaac Weisner. The at
torney's name who took the big fee is
Wilson Kennon, not Kinner. Another
thing. The tobacco is FIRE cured, not
fine cured as you had it."
"Do you think the warehouse ought
to be sold ?"
II do; but the sale should be subject
to the approval Of the Legislature. The
property is valuable, and worth at least
SIS, 600"
"Can't II be made success ?"
81 do not think 1t can"
+ "why2" y.
"Well, the tobacco business Of that
section is transacted on borrowed capi
tal-money borrowed in Baltimore -
This money is loaned to the middlemen
on the stock they have bought from the
producers, and the loaners can order the
tobacco delivered when they please for
inspection. There is no money. Nc
surplus capital in Bellaire to lend to buy
ers." g 'ity
"Then the point you make is, that this
is State interference with the laws oi
trade The tobacco goes where the
money is,and there Is not money enough
in these counties to handle the business
and that II the State Inspector Of To
tbacco is such good thing in Ohio, pri
vste enterprise would have found it out
land solved this question without the aid
OF the State"
"That is my position exactly"
The ex Inspector was not the man FOL
the place. He utterly failed to innuence
single dealer in his own town, Barnes
vile, to send q. hogshead Of tobacco to
the warehouse, although one OF the heav
lest dealers in Eastern Ohio packs hi;
Tobacco there.
Can't be made success Now, be
cause Mr.. WATSON failed Is no reason d
at oil. It 10 we'll known. here that tn,
"borrowed capital" part Of the above i
the shesrest humbuggery. Two years
since Baltimore men adopted rule
which has been strictly adhered to, ,ha
they would not advance money on to
bacco until a portion Of each dealers
crop had been received BY them, ant
then only certain per cent on the valu'
OF each hogsbead.
When the crop OF this section com
mences to move to the warehouse q
Bsllaire, which II Is certain to do, "Nt
surplus capital in Bellaire" will cause nc
trouble, Is there win be contest be
tween capitalists to be the frst on th'
ground TO establish commission houses
State Interference with the laws OF I'D
dlesticks. defines Mr.. WArsox's position
about as clearly as "interference with tn,
,aws OF trade"' does. There is money
In these counties to handle the business
that money does handle 1t, and the ide'
that Ohio dealers cannot, and ought no
to be allowed to manage their own bust
ness, IL 1t interieres With the hypotheca
tors and broken down houses in Balti
more, is the coolest piece of impudenc'
we have seen 10 print for many year.
The Legislature will not, we feel as
sured, direct the sale Of the warehouse
Tor, by so doing, it would deprive deal
ers in Ohio tobacco Of the only means o
protection now within their reach.
Mr. WATSON failed as Inspector, hu
that Is not good resson why the ware
house should be sold, neither does 4
justify the ill-will he exhibits against the
institution aud the tobacco interests
Keep out Of print. Mr. WATSON, and th'
public will never know what miserable
fst you did make Of your weak efforts
to direct the Ohio crop to the Bellair'
Warehouse.
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