The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-01-13

1898. 1894. 1895. 1896.
Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons.
1881, ,4ls AL, s1s 425, 51o*s5o, 900
si... s,15O 1929 1876, 50S*15o,ooo
South Carolina
year ending
Aug. 31....
Totals. 512, 800 57s, 5ss 7,4ss 5ss,5s7
ESTIMATED.
From this it will be seen that in.
stead of furnishing the bulk of the
phosphate rock imported to European
manufacturers of fertilizers, as was
the case a few years ago, the mines OF
Algeria and Florida alone supply
more than that furnished by the South
Carolina mines, to say nothing OF
that furnished by other mines in the
world. If the question be asked why
this falling off in the European de-
mand for the South Carolina river
rock, I would say that for long time
South Carolina river rock enjoyed
comparatively a monopoly for export.
but since the discovery of phosphate
deposits in Florida, Tennessee, Alge-
ria and other countries, she no longer
enjoys such a monopoly, and besides
the deposits of most of the above men
toned mines. while of much higher
grade than ours, can be mined and
prepared for market at cost approx
imating ours.
NET PRICES REALIZED BY THE MINING
COMPANIES.
From the certified statement made
by the Farmers Mining company for
adjustment of royalty on shipments
made from June 1, 1896, to Sept. 1,
1896; also of the Carolina Mining Go.
from May 13 to Nov. 13, 1895, which
is made a part of this report,
| it will be seen that the net
price realized by the companies per ton
for rock, after paying the royalty,
was in the case of the Farmers Min
ing company from $1.40 to $2.72 per
ton, +. o. b. and in the case of the
Carolina Mining company from $1.62
| to 50. 90 per ton, +. O. b. Out of this
| is to be paid the cost of keeping plant
in repair, cost of mining, washing,
towing, drying, ETC., and placing
alongside of the vessel ready for ship
ment.
In my last report called attention
to the fact of the suspension of work
on the part of the Carolina Mining
company, one Of the most extensive
works enga yed in the phosphate bust
ness in this State. This suspension, as
then stated, was caused by the fact
that with the utmost economy the
company could not mine because of
the low prices.
It was with the hope of inducing
this company to resume operations, as
well as to prevent others from stop.
ping work, that led me to recommend
temporary reduction of the States
royalty to 25 cents per ton until such
time as the market should improve
and higher royalty could be paid.
This recommendation not being acted
upon and prices getting no better this
company has permanently gone out
of business, the works have been
stripped of all machinery and sold,
as we'll as the dredge, and the site is
now offered for sale. In order that
| it may be seen what a loss the phos-
phate industry in this State has sus'
tanned by reason of the discontinuance
of operations by this company, SUBJ
NIT the following account of the Or
ganization and operations OF said COM
pany:
CAROLINA MINING COMPANY.
This company was organized in 1885
by f. Brotherhood, a man of fine
business qualifications and peculiar.
| ly fitted for managing such an enter
prise, who induced number of En-
glish capitalists to invest their money
in the business. They had built the
largest phosphate dredge in the world,
at cost of $150,000 and their entire
investment in the business amounted
| to at least $35O,00O. Their works
ranking the famous Coosaw company
in completeness.
Statement showing royalty paid the
State on shipments made by the Caro-
lima Mining company, from Aug. l,
1895, to May 1, 1896:
From Aug. 1, 1895, to April
1, 1896, as Rose & Pitch
er.....,...........,....$ 1871 30
May 1 to Dec, 81, 1SS6..... 28, 95
Jan. 1 to Dec. 81, 1884,. 27,054 20
Tan 1 tn Dec. 81. 1884,, 80. GIG 35
Jan. 1 to Aug. 81, 1884,. 35,517 90
Sept. 1, 1889, to Aug. 81 go 36,615 90
Sept. l, 1890, to Aug. 81 '91 81, 992 25
Sept. 1, 1891 to Aug. 81, '92 4O,54S 80
Sept. 1, 1892, TO Aug. 81, '93 63,521 80
Sept. 1 -, 1893, to Aug. 81, '94 2,502 30
Sept. /, 1894, to Aug. 81, '95 1918 OO
Sept. L, 1895, to May 1, '96 3,46S 90
1888, 756 IS
All of which has been paid into the
State treasury. :,
Having in my last annual report
recommended a reduction of the
States royalty to IS cents per ton,
temporarily, for the reason that ! be-
lieye it was for the best interest OF the
State to do so and as subsequent
events have fully sustained the cor,
rectness of that opinion, l again feel
| it my duty to report to your honora-
BILE board the actual condition OF this
industry, as viewed from my stand
point, in order that having all the facts
before YOU, you may make such rec.
o,nmendation 10 the legislature as in