Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-26

Inc laIln COMMISSION dSSemOleQ YeSl6f-
day morning about 10 O'Clock, in the spa
cious parlors of the screven House, which
we're placed at their disposal by the proprie-
tors. There were present Col. John Sore
ven, Col. George s. Owens, Capt. P. Has
kell, W. Neyle Habersham, Esq, sud Mr..
7. F. johnson, Collector, and few minutes
were spent in social conversation.
Subsequently. Messrs. 81. N. Conner,
Marmaduke Hamilton, H. Fraser Grant,
Capt. James II. Johnston, Col. J. L. War
rem, delegates from the Cotton Exchange,
and others, entered the room and were il
vited to seats.
IN SESSION.
The commission was called to order at
1920 o'clock by President Hayes, and 90
invitation was extended Col. John Screven,
Spokesman for the delegation Of rice plant
ers, to present HE views.
Colonel Screveu stated that he did not
wish to trespass upon the time Of the con-
mission. but would present for their consid
Grafton & report made up with particular
reference to the rice culture in this country
and the duty on foreign rice. The
reDort was as complete as 1t was possible to
January. Since then some information In
reference 10 the importation Of foreign
rice had been obtained, but the pamphlet
was laid before them as carrying the burthen
of their argument. TIE delegation present
consisted OF merchants and planters who
were appointed TO represent the rice interest
OF Georgia and South Carolina, an Interest
that covers the whole coast, comprising 100
miles in Georgia and pant In South Carolina.
~, Ire h1a r1ro1uoffoD 0f the
rice culture IN this country, consisting Of
the rich and extensive deltas on the Sa7an
nah. Altamaha, Ogeechee and Satill2 rivers.
To the best Of his impression, the number
Of persons interested IN the rice culture IS
between 10000 and 5000, and includes
under cultivation 10000 to 10000 acres.
These preliminary remarks were made TO
show the commission the importance Of the
interest the delegation represented.
Colonel ScreVen then resd from the
pamphlet and commented upon various
portions. He stated that the rice product
Of Georgia was about one half Of the total
product OF rice on the Atlantic coast, and
about one-Jhird Of the product OF the whole
country.
The report from which Colonel screven
read was made by q special committee, OF
which ne was Chairman, on the condition OF
the American rice industry. From this re-
Dort it appears that In the decade from 1871
to 1881 the domestic production of rice had
risen from ~ 900, 600 10 12l 100000 pounds.
The domestic consumption OF rice IN 1881
was 175, 00O, 600 pounds. The report declares
that the average profits on American rice
are dependent on the maintenance Of the
import duty, aud that # the duty were re-
moved or materially reduced its cultivation
must be abandoned. And II concludes Win
the assertion that the facts in relation to
that industry for the past sixteen years
prove that the taxation OF foreign poicy.
Daring the reading Of this report Colonel
Screven was asked pertinent questions by
members Of the commission, 10 which he
promptly replied, giving satisfactory infor-
nation.
He presented the arguments IN favor OF
protection for the domestic production OF
rice in the most forclble manner, and dis
cussed The Hawaiian rice question, show
irg that the present treaty brought that
rice IN deadly col flict with the American
article, and produced facts which he as
serted proved that the present duty on for
eipn rice generally was not sufficient to
protect American rice, in consequence OF
The expense of its cultivation Incident to
disasters from freshets and storms, and the
unreliabllity of labor.
He then read q memorandum he had 1us5
received from prominent merchant OF this
CITY (whom he had hoped would have been
J,
The importation OF RsngoOn rice.
Mr.. Boteler-ColOnel Screyen, does the
present duty Of 215 per cent. afford, In your
opinion, the necessary protection TO the
American rice production?
Colonel ScreVen-I think not, sir; the in
formation l have just read as having been
received from a merchant dealing 10 the
imported article would show to the con-
trarY.
MI. Boteler-What would you recommend
as the proper duty to secure protection?
Colonel Screven replied he would prefer,
before answering that question, to consult
with hts associates. He intimated, how
ever, that It shOuld be at least three cents
per pound. Il answer to another question,
he stated his conviction that this country
can supply all the rice needed Tor domestic
use.
Some questions were here pTCpouoded by
the President and Mr.. Garland in reference
to the system OF rice cultivation, and the
character and expense Of the present free
labc- as compared with slave labor, which
wero answered at length by Colonel Screven,
who referred to the expense OF harvesting
the crop, the average being about three DOL
Col, Screven was succeeded by Captain
James II. Johnston, Chairman OF the Com
mittea from the Savannah Cotton Ez-
change, who stated that they had been
appointed to address the commission on the
subject of tariff on rice and on cotton ties.
1t was his duty to present the views OF the
Exchange on the subject OF the rice tariff,
and Col. Warren would represent those in
reference to the tariff on cotton ties. Capt.
Johnston then read lengthy statement,
setting forth the expense OF cuitivatiDg rice,
and demonstrating that the importation or
foreign rice, free of duty, would be de-
struct.ve to the rice interests in this section.
Facts and statistics were presented In de-
tail, and were commented upon in an eX-
planatory way by Capt. Johnston.
Mr.. Gsrland-What recommends tions do
you make IN reference to the tariff?
CAPTAIN JOhnstOn-I cannot make any
definite recommendation. With the present
rate a good deal Of rice is sold below the
cost of production. II rice could be kept
st about six or six and half cents pound
q reasonable profit could be made; as 1t Is,
much is sold below the cost OF production.
President Hayes-WOuld not the assurance
of a moderate duty as at present be more
effective ia encouraging the rice INDUSTRY
than higher rate, where there would be no
assurance Of its continuance?
Captain Johnston-We would rather have
an assurance Of the present rate than have
q higher rate with the ques ion open.
Mr.. Ohver-You represent the Cotton
Exchange aud are necessarily brought in
nity In your Judgment, IS there any de-
mand from the business men aud people OF
this section for radical change in the pres
ent tariff Law?
Capt Johnston-I do not think there Is.
Before the war Georgia was antt-tarlf, but
a great change has come over the people.
Next to the New England States, Georgia Is
the greatest producer of cotton goods, and is
also becoming q large coal and iron produc-
ing State.
timent OF your people is that, while there
are wrongs in the tariff which should be
changed or righted, they are satisfied with
the existing rates?
Captain JOhnst0n-Yes.
Colonel ScreVen desiIed to make some re-
marks, and stated that anterior 10 the war
there was large free trade element in the
South. The latest declaration, however,
made on that subject by any OF our dis
tinguished men has been made by Mr.. Alex
snder a. Stephens, candidate for Governor,
in favor Of q tariff for protection, but with
an equalization OF the impOsitiOns OF the
tariff. Mr. Stephens was not very explicit
in his statements, but still It is sn indication
Of the views OF the people, as Mr.. Stephens
would probably "steer with the wind"
Mr. OliVeU-We are trying to get the
sentiment OF the business people of the
country and OF all other classes IN regard to
radical changes in the present tariff.
The President stated that II there were
any differences Of opinions on the subject
the commission would be pleased to hear
from them.
There was no response to this invitation,
and Col. J. L. Warren then read statement |
in hahaF IF his committee I'm reference to |