The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1891-03-26
THE C0OSAW SITUATION,
THE LATEST IN REFERENCE TO THE
GREAT PHOSPHATE WAR.

The Company Makes a PropositIoo Loot-
Ing to IA Resumption of Work. which IL
Accepted Conditionaly by tho State
The Correspondence on tho Subject.
COLUMBIA, S. c., March 15.-The fol-
lowing letter WAS received by the phos-
phate Commission to-day. It explains
itself: '''''''
TO the Hon. B. II. Tilman, the Hon.
Y. j. Pope, the Hon. w. III. Ellcrbc. the
Hon. J. ID. Montgomery and the Hon.
Geo. II. Walter, Members of the Board
OF Phosphate COmmissioners-G Gentle
men: 1t IS a 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-
tion to the Courts, and that some ac-
commodation could not have been
reached 10y 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-
tlons and litigation. But no alterna-
tive was left to them, and in taking
this course they have only exercised
the privilege guaranteed to every citi-
zen OF having the rights which they
claim to possess passed upon by the
Courts of the country.
How long this litigation will con.
tlnue it is Of course impossible to say,
but the Cocsaw Company is dpsirous O.?
having 1T so conducted Us to avoid any
unnecessary delay and expense, anu
reach final conclusion on the merits
with all 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 it may
not be improper that | should address
you.
When the Act of the General Assem-
bly, of 1880 went into effect on the Ist
day of March, 1891, out Of respect to
the action Of the General Assembly
the Coosaw Company suspended opera
tlons for 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, a; 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 enti-
SiCu, llol w IllCS lOW (lSclll IL DIODpl
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 with
your honorable board that pending the
litigation they may continue their OBJ
eratlons in strict compliance with al!
the laws of the State, and under tho
supervision of the board.
They are advised that 10y mutual con-
sent, and without reference to any 0r-
der OF the Court already made, such an
arrangement can be entered into with
out prejudice to the existing rights of
any 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 lnjure or embarraSS the State, and,
OF course, do not want to iniure our
selves.
Any prolonged suspension Of opera
tlons will, OF course, cause serious dam
age both to the State and the company.
Such damage is not only loss of present
established business Of value both to
the company and the State, and which,
if interrupted for any length of time,
it will be difficult, if not impossible, to
regain.
The only persons to be benefited
would be our competitors in the busi-
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-
tlyes OF the company in SO doing will
not be miSconStrued. And with this
feeling l 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 liti-
CATION and without prejudice to the
rights of any party, they can continue
their operations under the proper Sill
pervision and direction Of the board of
phosphate commissioners.
lam, yours very truly,
(Signed) Robt. Ndgcr.
Chief Manager Of CoOSaw Mining Co.