The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-18
THE PHOSPHATE TROUBLE.
Robert Adger Chief OF the COosaw
Company Proposes an Honorable
Settlement.
Charleston World.

Overtures have been made and the pipe Of
peace extended by the Coosaw to the state
The first step has been taken 10 solve the le'
gal deadlock, with the details Of which the
World and the Budget have so exhaustively
familiariZed the public mind.
The direction taken by the proffer Is that
which has been 30 clearly pointed out oy
and for which the public is subsequently
prepared.
on the heels OF yesterdays editorial on
"The Coosaw Case, in which the 81. Mathews
Herald was used as an excuse for giving
clear exposition OF this matter, II was learn.
ed that formal offer OF compromise had
been mailed by Mr.. Robert Adger, chief man
ager OF the phosphate commission: .,o
document, II II was to be COTTON. Mr.. a.. 7.
Smytbe readily furnished copy Of 1t when
applied to by the reporter last night
untary offer to compromise on the part of the
COosaw company, and is made signihcant oy
reason OF the strong position which the Coo.
saw company has occupied in the course OF
similar predcament, in that both are bound
to suffer equally as long as the deadlock is
mainiained. But whether the phosphate
commission Will prolong the present status
seen. The letter Of Mr.. Adger is as follows:
THE CoosAw MINING COMPANY,
CHARLESTON, s. C., March Is, 1871.
Hon B. r. Tillman, Hon. Y. J. Pope. Hon
w. H Ellerbe. Hon j. D. Montgomery, Hon.
Geo. II. Walter, members OF the board of
phosphate commissioners.
Gentlem en-1t is a matter of regret to the
Coosaw Mining company, that IL has been
found necessary, In order to protect their
rights. to make any application TO the courts,
and that some accom- mediation could not
have been reached by which litigation would
nave been avoided. They have always de.
sired to live as law abiding citizens, conduct
inc hair a husinags a m
avoiding all complications and litigation.
But no alternative was left to them. and in
taking this course they have only exercised
the privilege guaranteed to every citizen, of
having the rights which they claim tO pos
sess passed upon by the courts OF the coun-
try.
How long this litigation will continue. 1t
Is, Of course, impossible to say. But the Coo.
saw company Is deSirious of having IL so con-
Quoted, as TO avoid any unnecessary delay
and expense, and reach final conclusion on
the:merlts with all due speed and their coun.
sci stand ready to act In this spirit and TO IA.
ciIitate such result.
While. however, matter is thus pending,
there arises practical and bushes qucstion.
upon which 1t may not be improper that I
When the act Of the general assembly OF
1891 went into effect on march l, 1884, out OF
respect to the action OF the general assembly.
for the time being, although they were ad-
vised that such legislation could not affect
them in the exercise OF their previously ac-
quired contract rights. But they desired no
conflict with the authorities. which. as they
learn, would have been brought about had
they they then continued mining.
They did not however waive in the least.
by such stoppage, any rights TO which they
believed themselves entitled, nor do they
now deem 1t proper here TO discuss the right
to resume such operations under the order OF
the court.
" desire 80 to arrange with yonr honorable
board, that pending the litigation, they may
continne their operations in strict compliance
with all the laws OF the state, and under the
supervision Of the board.
they are advised by mutual consent, and
without reference to any order OF the court
already made, such an arrangement can be
entered into. without prejudice to the exist
ing rights of any party. and by which the
operations of the company shall continue un-
der the supervision OF the board, and thus
both the loss OF royalty to the state and dam
age TO the company can be avoided.
The interests to the state and Coosaw COM
pany are 80 closely interviewer, that 1t is i'm
possible TO affect one without the other. We
do not desire TO injure or embarrass the state
and OF course do not want to injure our
selves.
ANY prolonged suspension OF operations
will OF course cause serious damage, 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 10 the company and the state.
and which II interrupted for any length Of
time 1t will be difficult, II not impossible, to
regain.
our competitors IN the business OF phosphate
mining, TO whom our being out of the mar.
ket. means freedom to that extent from COM
petition.
and that my motives and the motives Of the
company In so doing will not be misconstrued.
And with this feeling, l beg to call these mat
ters to your attention, and to say that the
be glad to enter In to such an arrangement by
which pending this litigation, and without
prejudice TO the rights Of any party, they can
continue their operations under the proper
supervision and direction Of the board OF
phosphate commissioners.
[Signedl
lam yours very truly.
ROBERT ADGER,
Chief of the Coosaw Mining Company.