The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1891-03-25
THE C00SAW SITUATION.
THE LATEST IN REFERENCE TO THE
GREAT PHOSPHATE WAR.

THE LATEST IN REFERENCE TO THE
GREAT PHOSPHATE WAR.
The Company Makes a Proposition Look
ing to 3 Resumption Of Work, Which is
Accepted Conditionally by the State
The Correspondence on the Sub ect.
COLUMBIA, S. c., March 15.-The fol-
lowing letter was received by the Phos-
phate Commission to-day. 1t explains
itself:
To the Hon. 3. Il. Tillman. the Hon.
VI. Pope, the Hon. w. II. Ellerbe, the
Hon J. D. Montgomery and the Hon.
Geo. H. Walter, Members OF the Board
of Phosphate Commissioners-Gent!e-
men: 1t is matter of regret to the
Coosaw Mining Company that it has
been found necessary, in order to pro-
tect their rights, to make any applica-
ton to the Courts, and that some ac-
commodation could rot have been
reached by which litigation would have
been avoided They have always de-
sired to live as law abiding citizens,
conducting their affairs on business
PRINCIPLES and avoiding all complica-
lions and litigation. But no alterna-
tive was left to them, and IN taking
this course they have only exercised
the privilege guaranteed to every cltl-
zen Of having the rights which they
claim to possess passed upon by the
Courts of the country.
How long this litigation will con-
tinue it is of course impossible to say,
but the Coosaw Company is desirouS of
having it so conducted as to avoid any
unnecessary delay and expense, and
reach final conclusion on the merits
with ali due speed. And their counsel
stand ready to act IN this spirit and TO
facilitate such result.
While, however, the matter Is thus
pending there arises a practical and
business question upon which 1t may
not be improper that l should address
you.
When the Act of the General Assem-
bly, of 1890 went into effect on the lst
day of March, 1891, out Of respect TO
the action of the General Assembly,
the Coosaw Company suspended opera
tions fer the time being, although they
were advised that such legislation
could not effect them in the exercise Of
their previously acquired contract
rights. But they desired no conflict
with the authorities, which, as they
learn. would have been brought about
had they then continued mining.
They did not, however, waive in the
least by such stoppage any rights to
which they believed themselves entl-
tied. nor do they now deem it proper
here to discuss their right to resume
such operations under the order OF the
Court. ,,
But they beg to say that they still
earnestly desire so to arrange WIN
your honorable board that pending the
litigation they may continue their op-
erations in strict compliance with ali
the laws of the State. and under the
supervision of the board.
they are advised that by mutual con-
sent, and without reference to any Or
der Of the Court already made, such an
arranpement can be entered into with
out prejudice to the existing rights of
anv party, and by which the operations
of the company shall continue under
the supervision of the board. and thus
both the loss of royalty to the State and
damage to the company can be avoided.
The interests Of the State and the
Coosaw Company are so closely inter-
woven that it is impossible to affect one
without the other. We do not desire
to injure or embarrass the State, and,
of course, do not want to lnJure our
selves.
Any prolonged suspension of opera
tions win, of course, cause serious dam
age both to the State and the company.
Such damage is not only loss OF present
revenue, but the breaking up OF an
established business of value both to
She company.and the State, and which,
if interrupted for any length OF time,
it will be difficult, if not Impossible, to
-sgain.
The only persons to be benefited
would be our competitors IN the busl-
NESS of phosphate mining, to whom our
being out of the market means freedom
to that extent from competition.
feel that am addressing business
men and that my motives and the mo-
tives Of The company IN SO dong VIII
not be misconstrued. And with this
feeling I beg to call these matters to
your attention and to say that the Coo
saw Mining Company are ready and
will be glad to enter into such an ar
rangement by which, pending this It'll
cation and without prejudice to the
rights of any party, they can continue
their operations under the proper su.
perYision and direction of the board OF
phosphate commissioners.
lam, yours very truly,
(Signed) Root: Aoeer,
Chief Manager Of Coosaw Mining Co.