The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-03-15
A GOOD GOVERNOR.
Approves the Act of the General
Assembly Which Had For Its Pur.
nose the Relief of the People.

Despite any efforts that may have been
made to injure the good name and TO dis
parage the ability OF Governor Elleroe, he is
making as good and as fearless Governor as
South Carolina has ever had.
Notwithstanding the great influence OF the
Southeastern Tariff Association, supported
by the earnest efforts Of the cotton mills oi
south Carolina, he had the courage and the
manhood to approve the bill, which had for
its purpose the relief OF the people from the
unjust tariff which has been Imposed upon
them by the insurance association.
1t seems that In order 10 have the lnnnence
and support of the richest corporations In the
State, the Southeastern Tariff Association,
through their agents, insured cotton mill
property everywhere in this State at the very
reduced rate of one-hfth OF one per cent. while
private individuals pay anywhere from one
per cent. 10 four per cent, or from hve 70
twenty times as much as they charge cotton
mills for the insurance.
Cotton and cotton piills are generally
considered as combustible, or as hazardous
risks. II it be said that the Discrimination
In favor Of cotton and cotton mills and
against the citizen is based upon dlHerenl
conditions or q different environment, then
Of insuring the mill cottages Are they less
mbustible than the same grade of buildings
in town. II not, then why are they insured
for one-fifth OF one per cent.
Does any owner OF any cottage, get hls IN.
surance at any such ridlculously low rate
II so, let him speak?
Viewed from this standpoint, ts there any
wonder that the cotton mills OF this State
approval by the Governor OF law which
would affect the Southeastern Tariff .Associa.
tion which was 30 liberal to them, while II
was robbing the individual citizen.
been very liberal with those they may
have thought sufficiently powerful! to infu'
ence the Governor to withhold his signature
rom any act of the Genera. Assembly which
xr,tN hnt ~ ~
rageous Discrimination against the citizen.
The fact of the cheap insurance which mas
been given TO cotton mills and their appeal to
the Governor doesn't look we'll.
responsive act OF the cotton mills, may pe
suggestive to evil minds.
or course II the insurance companies could
get protection in their constantly increasipg G
give, free OF all cost, full insurance to the cot
ton mills OF South Carolina.
To show the discrimination, we may be par
doned for a personal alluslon;
Abbeyille put in separate systems OF water
works, about equally good, and during tne
same year. The price OF insurance on the cot
ton mill cottages subject to return OF about
one.fifth of one per cent. The Press and Ban
ner Office is on the corner Of the Public Square
and on the side Of Main Street. All the neces
sary hydrants were placed IN close pro1lm,
bucke cts OF one fire company, and the hose
reels and other paraphernalia of the other
Are company were placed on the other side
of the street, distant perhaps less than two
hundred feet from the printing office.
Now, it is fair TO suppose since this property
on the Public Square had fire protection
which was at least equal to that furnished 6y
the single fire department at the cotton mill
that some concession would be made 70 the
But. no: the insurance companies in their
wisdom, II not In their honesty, after the put
ting In OF the public water works and proVid
ing first-class means OF fighting fire, immedi
ately raised the insurance premium on the
property in town which had already been
liked at an outrageously high rate.
eastepn Tariff Association has acted in man
ner which can be neither justified nor excus
ed, Governor Ellerbe did his whole duty
despite the powerful influence which was
brought to bear
When an unscrupulous association seeks
legal right TO perpetuate such open and fla
grant wrongs against the individual citizen
and proposes to show such unwarranted and
suspicious favoritism to the great corpora
tions as will practically give them insurance
without charge. ts 1t wonder that the great
mass OF the people array themselves against
corporations? Is 1t any wonder that the peo
pie who are 80 numerically ground down by
make them honest and fair In their dealing
Why should cotton mills get the most hazard
GUS risks for next to no premium at all, wher
their next door neighbors are outrageouslJ
robbed9
viii any man, under the sun. claim tha
the insurance companies acted honestly II
raising the insurance on this office 1mmedi
ately after the establish ment OF the watel
works and the purchase OF fire apparatus?
Besides the public fire apparatus two fire
hose Of our own purchase were put In the
office, and yet in the face OF all this the price
OF Insurance was Immediately raised.
Do you believe the Increase OF premium
under the circumstances was right? We dc
not.
If 1t was right to increase our insurance tt
three and half per cent. because OF Watel
works and fire apparatus, where Is the decen,
pretext for insuring the cotton mill and the
cottages at one.fifth Of one per cent?
The fact that the great mill corporations are
offered insurance rates which are 30 low
while the citizen is charged 30 high is, to say
the least, suggestive.
The people should study about this matter
and II they see the equity OF paying from
five to twenty times as much insurance
as Is charged to the cotton mills, then they
must be easily satisfied.
In connection with this matter, we woulc
ask attention to the mutual fire association
OF which Mr.. J. R. Blake is general agent
1t takes county risks at very low rate ant
pays promptly. All citizens having isolatet
| houses in towns should consult Mr.. j. n
! Blake before re-insuring.
The people Of South Carolina owe The Legls
| lature and the Governor their thanks for hii
effort In their behalf, whether 1t avails or not