Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1907-01-15
State Fertilizer Factory.

Wnlle we nave IO IcdSoi " uouD>
the motives of Senator Earle Of Oco-
nee in introducing a bill providing for
the establishment of a fertilizer fac
tory to be owned by the state and
operated with convict labor, we are
very doubtful as to the wisdom Of the
proposition.
Mr.. Earle has the idea no doubt that
the establishment of state operated
factory would result in the sale of fer
tilizers to the farmers Of the state at
actual cost, and that the farmers
would therefore be very greatly bene-
fted. If we believed that the result
would be anything like this. we would
have no objection to the proposition;
but Mr.. Earle's theory Is one which,
in our opinion will fail to work out in
practice.
South Carolina has already had
quite an experience in trying to con-
duct the liquor business. Among the
many promises to that held out
to the people in support Of the state
monopoly Of liquor business the two
most important were, that in the first
place the state would be in better
position to promote temperance and
that in the second place those who
would drink would be able to get moth
ing but absolutely pure liquor and at
actual cost.
ha
to fulfilling the promise most people in
the state are we'll aware. Nine people
out of ten understand that the whole
dispensary theory has been complete
and utter failure as to everything that
was claimed for II. Intemperance has
been encouraged rather than promot-
ed, liquors of all kinds have become
more adulterated than even under sa-
loon management and the price has
increased two, three and four-fold.
And this is not all. In spite of this Sit
uation the hold of the dispensary on
the state has grown stronger and
stronger and the sole source OF that
strength is traceable directly or indl-
rectly to the people who are getting
either honest or dishonest profit from
the monopoly.
Now, as we see it, If the state should
go into the manufacture of fertilizers,
IL would have first to organize
competent manufacturing force that
would call for high priced men to su-
pervise the convicts. Next there must
be a first class business force, headed
by men of large executive ability ano
these must provide an extended and
extensive sales and distribution force.
These men, If politicians only. would
not be able to produce and sell the
goods in competition with business
men. and if business men they would
demand and receive more pay than
they would expect from private indi-
vidual or corporation employers.
AS II developed that the quality OF
goods and service offered by the state
were inferior to those offered by pri-
vate corporations there would be a
tendency on the part Of the politicians
to restrict and hamper the private
corporations and the price paid for the
output of the state establishment
would increase Complaints against
the quality of goods or character OF
delivery, service, terms. ETC., would be
classed as political clap trap, and the
burdens of the farmers who would have
to pay the bills, would be increased
rather than lightened.
No, as we see 1t, South Carolina mas
had enough of state monopoly of pr1-
vate business. 1t looks as II the grip
and grasp of the horde Of parasites
who are sucking the physical and
moral life blood of our people through
the state dispensary will last forever
and if our people are wise they Will
not put themselves in a position to
become prey to still another horde
Of such parasites that will prove every
bit as bad