The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-04-12
PERNICIOUS PRACTICE.
DISCLOSURES FOLLOWING KICKS ON
COTTON SEED WEIGHTS.
How Some of the Cotton Seed Mills
Have Enjoyed Their Own weishers
and Issued City Certificates Unknown
to Inspector Armour.

ton into the manner III which CotUon Seeu
has been handled in this city that may
lead TO salty developments. The following
letter will serve to introduce to the public
the nature Of this impending revelation:
MEMPHIS, Tenu., April Q, 1888.
r. b Armour Esq, City wcigher and Inspector,
Memphis.
Dear Sir-We are receiving bitter com
plants from some Of our customers con-
corning the heavy loss in weight ON their
shipments Of cotton seed. When, for our
own protection, we have required the seed
to be weighed by the city weigher, GER
tihcate has been furnished us from the
Office OF the buyeB-always one OF the
seed companies-bearingth the printed sigma
ture Of the city weigher and inspector, but
which we are satisfied was always made
out by clerk Of the buyers without any
direct knowledge or assistance Of the pub
lie weigher or any Of his regular deputies.
One such instance occurred under this
writer's eye. This method Of weighing
and issuing certificates looks very loose
and irregular 10 us, and must lead TO dis
satisfaction. IL puts IT into the power OF
these seed syndicates TO dock weights to
any extent that suits their pleasure. The
seller has no redress for any injustice
done, for when we complain OF ex-
cessive loss in weight, We are
promptly furnished with one Of the city's
regular printed certificates rs described
above. We believe the name and author
ity Of the city government is thus being
used to shield gross injustice II not actual
fraud The losses in weight often amount
10 10, 10 and even 20 per cent. This dis
satisfies our customers greatly, and OF
course tends seriously TO injure our bust
ness. The country shippers look TO their
merchants TO protect their weights, and
the merchant must look TO our city author
tiles. One indignant shipper and sufferer
writes us that ''it is hard TO think that the
city can't watch those thieving concerns, "
referring TO some seed companies.
Az YOU have been appointed recently TO
the responsible duties OF public weigher
and inspector, we beg that you will look
into these Irregularities, and that you will
establish in your Office such a system rs
shall protect us and our shippers In fair
weights for the cotton seed they send "a
this market The good name OF our city
and It's reputation for honest dealing is in
volved. We can give you some names
dates and facts 10 bear out the foregoing
statements II you desire to act on them
Yours very truly,
When Inspector III Weights and Meas
ures Armour read the foregoing letter tC
an APPEAL reporter yesterday he re
marked that he would not disclose the
name Of the writer at present, because hi
investigations are not complete and III
wished TO bring the complaint and the dis
closures before the Legislative Council
next Thursday. lie stated further that HI
had only one deputy, Mr.. Joseph Theirs
who had been regularly sworn in and con
firmed by the council, and he had no au
ihoriiy or desire TO appoint another
Neither he nor his deputy had No Ia
weighed any cotton seed since their cleo
ton aud appointment 10 the Office, febru
cry Is last, and naturally he was surprised
ut the disclosures contained in the letter
Sections 20 and 81 OF the Taxing Distric
ordinances were enacted 10 prevent tn
irregularities complained OF. They arc n
follows. referring 10 the inspector
"He shall not deal or trade in any art
clcs subject TO inspection, weight or meas
uremcni by tho ordinances OF the district
never solicit nor interfere In any trade, sal
or purchase between otehrs, and any In
spector who shall bo guilty OF violatin
this section shall be fined 500 and sue
act shall lie Just cause OF removal fToI
Office"
"He NAV, II he choose, appoint a dept
ty 10 be confirmed by The Legislatiy
Council, who shall be sworn 10 pcriorI
n f.ts lf.1l Lac aa nm
ii any person, not the inspector or Ia
deputy, shall presume TO discharge III
duties OF inspector, or use or make bran
or mark purporting 10 be that OF the IL
tpcctor, he shall be deemed guilty Of
niisdemeanor and fined, on conviction i
tie president OF the board OF fire and ~
lice commissioners, not less than $40 M
more than $50 for each ofense."
Mr.. Armour aud Mr.. Theirs stated tn
two mills had been located where employ
were or had until recently been ofIiciatir
ms deputy city weighcrs, and issuing reg
lar civ certificates. One Of them was u
Ilananer oil-mills, and the wcigher NJ
waauon. With the latter Young man u
following interview was heldi
Arc you deputy city weigher7'
Eyes, sir"
"Were YOU required 10 take the on
when appointed, and II 80, who admin
tered the oatb2'
~ was sworn In by Mr.. Tom MoKcon
"what was the form OF the oath3'
~, WIS simply verbal"
when were YOU appointed2'
II don't remember, but about scptcl
her or October last. think"
"Do you keep separate record Of CT
wcights7"
''No. sir: ! consider everything | ha
weighed since my appointment ns
weights =,
faro you regular employe Of the mill
81 am"
"Do you perform any oth, services
the mill Other than weighing
~ certainly do. II | did not / wo'
have picnic"
"IIow and nj whose request were
appointed3'
vi have no idea. was appointed I
sworn, and that IA all know about u.
GLOW did 700 sign the city certihc'
for seed weighed by you over the
scalcs?"
-. g. Mhoon, w W"
"Do Won receive any compensation
your services ~ city weigher1'
"NOt q cent"
"In what manner did the mill sc
with the Inspector for seed weighed
~ don't know anything about d
only know that never got a cent.
"Whai wcio your relations with the
tpeclor A. his deputy
II don't know Mr.. Mhoon may !
been introduced 10 him once, hut