The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-01-29
The GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
House Votes for a Commission of
Investigation TO Establish a
Fertilizer Plant.

Columbia, Jan. s26.-The house O
representatives was IN session ouG o
minutes today, and then on motion Q:
Mr.. John McMaster adjourned untl
Monday at noon. The house accepted
the invitation to visit the Charleston
exposition. The invitation stateo
that the legislature could select it:
own time, but the 7th was recommend
cd as very good day on which to see
the gala sights at the exposition.
Mr.. Webb yesterday introduced 9
bill to authorize and require the dl-
rectors of the State penitentiary tc
erect and equip fertilizer plants anc
warehouses for the manufacture ano
sale of commercial fertilizers.
The first matter debated was Mr.
Tatum's resolution to provide Tor
commission to consider the adVls-
ability OF the State establishing a
plant for the manufacture OF fertilizers.
Mr. Beamguard moved to strike out
the enacting words.
Mr.. Tatum explained that If the
times were not so hard he would nave
iatroduced bill to establish the plant
this year. He attacked the trust and
showed what would be the good results
of the State having its own plant.
Mr.. McGoyern stated that it would
be as Institutional as the method
Of operating the State dispensary.
The State has the convicts and the
State owns the phosphate beds, He
opposed the cruel way in which con-
vscts have been leased out to. farmers
and railroad contractors. But the
great end to be accomplished is to
thwart the object of the fertilizer
trust; every farmer must use CONNER
cial fertilizers to some extent.
Mr.. Lide of Orangeburg favored the
resolution. The matter can be dis
cussed in the several counties next
summer.
Mr.. Beamguard withdrew his hos
tile motion, the matter having been
explained toshis satisfaction.
Mr.. W. II. Parker offered an amend
ment to change the amount proposed
for expenses. The original resolution
provided 1.-TWO dollars per diem for
the time actually employed in the in
yestigaton and actual expenses. He
wanted to change the amount to four
dollars per diem not exceeding ten
days.
Inadequate. He himself had made
three trips to Charleston to get in
formation on this matter and had not
gathered much information IL that
time. He thought there are patriotic
men who would work for two dollars
per diem and expenses. He does not
believe in paternalism, but the State
should take some steps to protect the
consumers. The Virginia Carolina
Chemical company owns practically
all Of the mills in the State and COLI
trolls the prices. The. farmers are pay
ing about twice as much for fertilizers
as they should. :.
Mr.. Weston thought it safe to limit
the number of days and to have the
nay stated more explicitly.
Mr.. Moses thought it should be
limited to at least 80 days. He did
not think the investigation would
amount to much, but he would not
oppose the resolution if the prospec-
tive expenditures be limited.
It was then argued to limit the num-
ber of days to Is at 81 per day Per
member. It was also agreed, on Mr..
Parker's motion, to cut out and
actual expenses and to insert instead
and mileage at the rate Of four cents
r,o MI lo