The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-02-20
SUMTER COTTON WE|GHERs.
TEXT OF THE BILL NOW BEFORE
LEGISIIATURE.
1t Provides for the Election Of Two
Cotton Weighers on July First Al
though Terms OF Weighers Now i'm
Office Do Not Expire Then.


and County of Sumter, prescribe
their duties. providing the manner
and means Of weighing cotton, and to
fix penalty.
Be 1t enacted by the general assem-
bly, of the State of South Carolina:
Sec. 1. That upon the petition of
twenty-five or more qualified electors.
who are growers of cotton and reside
within five miles of any place in
which there may be a cotton market
the county board of commissioners Of
Sumter County may elect cotton
weigher, whose term of office shall be
for two years and until the election
and qualification of his successor: no
one shall be elected weigher under
this act who is related by blood or
marriage to any member of the
county board of commissioners OF
said county: Provided, That for the
City OF Sumter the county board of
commissioners of Sumter County
shall, on July 1st, 1909, elect two cot
ton weighers for said city, whose
duties shall De as herein prescribed
one of which weighers Shall be elect
ed upon the recommendation of the
city council of the city of Sumter;
that the term of office Of the weigh
ers OF the City Of Sumter shall be for
term Of two and three years and
until his or their successor, or success. .
sors, be elected and qualified: that
the choice OF said terms shall be dc.
termined by lot by the two weighers
so elected.
Sec. 2. Before entering upon the
duties of his Office each cotton weigh
er shall be legally sworn to discharge
the duties of the position by some Of
fcer authorized to administer oaths.
and shall enter into bond in the sum
of three hundred dollars for the
faithful performance of his duties.
WEIGH bond shall be approved by the
county board Of commissioners in
which 1t is given, and filed with the
clerk of the court Of such County in
which such market may be located.
Each weigher or weighers jointly
shall receive az compensation for his
Services not more than. ten cents for
each bale weighed, to- be fixed by the
county board of commissioners, tho
same to be paid in equal proportion
by the seller and buyer: Provided,
Nothing herein contained shall ap-
ply to sales made on plantations or. at
cotton mills.
Sec. 8. 1t shall be the duty OF the
weigher or weighers at each mrket
having weigher or weighers with q
platform or platforms with sufficient
facilities. including a set Of scales for
each weigher. so that said cotton shall
lie expeditiously handled at a mini
mum cost, at which platform or plat
forms all cotton sold in said market
shall be weighed. 1t shall be the
duty of each weigher to weigh fair
ly and promptly all cotton sold in
said market or markets, issuing his
own ticket therefor, showing the
reight of each bale or package of
cotton weighed. 1t shall be the duty
of such weighers to adjust any differ
snce between sellers and buyers as to
moisture. mixed and false packing or
damage. In case of inability from
sickness or other cause, and from the
first day Of March to the first day of
september of each year, a wcigher
may appoint deputy, who shall take
before entering upon his duties, the
usual oath of the office in the manner
required OF the weigher. The elected
weigher shall be responsible on his
bond for the official acts Of his de-
putty. Each weigher or his deputy
shall , devote his exclusive attention
to the duties of his office during the
cotton marketing season. Each
weigher shall test his scales once a
month by the standards in the office
of the clerk Of the court as provided
by law: Provided, That the county
board of commissioners may for good
and sufficient cause shown. remove
any such public cotton weieher from
his office. after first giving such
Weigher at least ten days notice tn
show cause why he should not lie re-
moved; and shall have power to fill
any vacancy occurring I'm the Office of
public cotton weigher as soon there
after as practicable.
Sec. 4. That the county board OF
commissioners of any county may en-
ter into "A binding and valid contrac ct