The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-01-08

rn5lr E'OrcS.
COLUMBIA. December 3l.-From the
report Of Phosphate Inspector Jones
it appears that the phosphate industry
is in very much demoralized con-
ditioa. Indeed, Mr. Jones concludes
that "the outlook of the business is
gloomy in the extreme" The re-
port goes on to show as far as possible
the reasons for the depression, and
how the condition should be met
Mr. Jones recommends reduction
in the royalty to twenty-five cents
per ton.
The report will not only be of
great importance to the lower tier of
counties, engaged in phosphate min
ing, but to the people of the State at
large, for the special reason that the
revenue from the phosphate royalty
goes to the sinking fund for the
liquidation of the State bonds. The
report reads:
have the honor to present here.
with my annual report of the opera
tions and conditions of the States
phosphate industry for the year COM
mencing September |, 1894, and
ending August 81, 1895 During
the year the mining operations have
been carried on by the following
companies
Coosaw Mining Comparative
dredges and wash boats, sixteen
lighters, forty longing fats and five
tug boats.
Farmers Mining Compapy-Three
dredges, sixteen lighters, forty tong
ing fats aud one tug boat.
Beaufort Phosphate Company
One dredge, thirteen lighters, seventy
tonging flats and one tug boat.
Carolina Mining Company-Onc
dredge. twenty two lighters and two
tug boats
". Y. Fripp-Eight longing flats
James O'Hear-Suspended.
John C. Nelson-Suspended.
James Reid-Included in Farmers
Mining Company.
At the beginning of the year. Sep
tember /, 1894, the above companies
had fully recovered and rehsbilitated
their mining plants wrecked by the
cyclone of August 26, 1898, and
have added saving devices so as to
reduce the cost of mining to a mini
mum, and are to-day in better condi.
tion to mine and handle phosphate
than ever before.
The total number of tons of rock
shipped for tie year commencing
September l, 1894. and ending
August 81, 1895, was ia, 4,400.25-
100 tons.
Royalty paid the State on ship.
ments, $97 ,200l3; royalty addi-
tional for excess of value, ,S457.07
Total royalties for the year, $87.657.-
20.
Statement of number of tons mined
during the year is estimated at 2Ol.-
400 tons. The number of tons on
hand September /, 1895, is estimated
at 35, 1857 tons.
The outlook Of the business is
gloomy in the extreme. Prices have
sunk to a figure never before reached,
and the greatest encouragement pre-.
walls both in South Carolina and
Florida. 1t is impossible to get in
Europe now even as high as Sd a
unit the price varying from Sd to
sgd. At these prices, after paying
royalty. and with the most favorable
rates of freight, the mining compa-
nies are unable to net more than 50
per ton for their rock, This does
not enable them to live. The strict
est economy is being practiced,
wages are being reduced, saving de-
vices are being adopted, and the cost
of mining has been reduced to
minimum. But even with this, unless
there is an Improvement in the
market the phosphate companies
must stop.
Carolina Mining Company, repre-
senting large amount Of English
capital, has suspended operations in-
defnity. All hands have been dis
charged. It's efficient president, Mr.