The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1894-09-07
Charlest0nS Commerce.

| ShAhbESloS, ", Scpt. c.-lhc yea
has been one of unprecedented trial, yet III
1'5wn-ft shows that Charleston has held its
1893, laid waste hundreds of lies OF tefrt ttSif
tory directly tributary to this market and
deprived Charleston of a rich and rcmuncra-
tive trade. Tne rice crops were almost 70.
tally destroycd: the Sea Island cotton crop
was nearly al lost and the turpentinc forests
were blown down for miles, and the river
phosphate mining companies so badly dam
aged that they could not operate for more
than half the year. The dispensary liuuor
law, drove n great deal of capital from the
city and destroyed hitherto lucrative busi-
ness. The storms in the State last year and
the general depression throughout the
country, also affected the trade Of the city.
but in spite of all these calamitcs and draw
backs, the trade of Charleston shows fall
ing Oft Of only about three and alfmillion
dollars as compared with the preceding year.
The aggregate value of the business of the CITY
Is more than seventy-one million dollars.
This, under the circumstances, is a splendid
showing. The prospects for the new year
are FIJI! os encouragement.
The completion Of the icttics makes
CharlcSton ole of the finest deep water
ports In the world, and insures to this CITY n
great Increase in Its foreign trade Ships
drawing twenty-three feet of water can now
cross the bar with safety, The govern
ment work on the jetties has been most
successful, and Capt. +. V. Abbott the en-
gncer In charge, says that there is every
reason to anticipate that the full depth of
twenty-six feet contemplated by the project
VII! be attained with less expenditure than
the amount of the estimate During The
year he says, l,O79,O0O cubic yards Of ma.
terial have disappeared from between the
Jetties and the areas about their landward |
and seward ends. This gain in waterway, |
or decrease of obstructing material, he adds |
equals the whole amount that was gained |
from 1884 to 1893
The completion Of the etries will lead
in the near future to the establishment of
direct steamship lines TO Europe and to the
Improvement OF the terminal facilities Of the
port already The finest on the South Allan
nc coast. New cotton and exporting firms
Will do business here this year and it is cx-
pec'ed that there will be large increase in
10" 10 G2tton receipts of th" port T,s. yfar
,..;ous VI. - Seceipts exceeded those Of the
bal, ~ ''0i' '''" o"' "unuici
tomorrow letters froEiier will also publish
all parts of the State scccotrrespondents in
tion of the agricultural and'g ,,,r,S' me Sohai-
terests. These letters with very fe. cxcep.
tions are plcasingly monotonous in I.cir |
statement of the better condition of the far |
mers AMI in a'iributing the case TO the
forced economy consequent upon the dis
asters OF the previous year and the in
creased attention to cereal products, iu-
duced by the low price of cotton. The same
resolutions have also led to more attention
being paid to the raising Of hogs and other
live stock If we are to accept the concur
rent testimony of so many persons in so
many varied localities, South Carolina was
never so we'll prepared to supply its own hog
and hominy as it is today. In some parts
of the State, people are raising their horses
and mules and cattle, aud supplying them
selves with beef butter and milk. In the
upper tier of counties wheat and oats, as
we'll as corn, are available as food crops,
Tobacco and truck farms and orchards have
also come iuto favor, and diversified farm
ing and intensive cultivation have appar-
snnitlnn, ,uio South Carolina to stay.