Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-01-23
The Warehouse Bill.

are reproducing the able and interest
ing speech that former Senator John
L. McLaurin delivered on the subject
of the Mcqueen warehouse bill before
the agricultural committee of the sem
ate and the ways and means committee
of the house in the senate chamber
last Thursday afternoon.
The speech, as explained, was at the
request of the South Carolina Farm
ers Union, and by invitation Of the
two committees, and it was heard by
a large number of people, who got lots
of new light on subject that Is both
important and interesting, but which
is not nearly so we'll understood among
the cotton producers of the south as
II should be.
Mr.. McLaurin, by the way, although
in times past prominently connected
with the politics of the state, is con-
Isiderably more Of a farmer than any
thing else nowadays. He owns some
1000 acres of Marlboro lands, raises
about 1000 bales of cotton, with plenty
of corn and meat to support all his ag-
ricultural operations, and in addition
owns more than a hundred head Of
cattle, including one Of the finest dairy
herds in the state. His other interests
include holdings in a cotton seed oil
mill and in a fertilizer factory which
mixes fertilizer, principally for him
self and neighbors, and although
by reason OF the concern he Is
showing in the welfare Of the cotton
industry there are people all over the
state who are asking, What is he af-
ter?" it would seem fair to assume
that he might be concerned just lit
tie on his own accountable, for in
stance, many other South Carolina
farmers who, though not necessarily
seeking office, are willing to do what
they can to promote the good of South
Carolina and the south.
The speech in the senate chamber
was listened to with close attention by
the members of the legislative COM
mittee, by the Farmers Union men
and the other auditors generally. and
it made a profound impression. Upon
the conclusion of Mr.. McLaurin's re-
marks, committeeman asked him a
number of questions bearing upon va
rious phases Of the subject under con"
sideration, and the clear and satisfac-
\ I. .t,
thorough. but hardly surprising grasp
he has of the whole question from
whatever viewpoint, whether business
practicability, economic and financial
effect and constitutional admissbility.
Many of his hearers, including some
of the committeeman. started into the
discussion purely on basis of court
esy, and wound up in enthusiastic con-
viction but there was no intimation,
of course, as to how the bill would be
reported.
That there is lot in the Mcqueen
bill almost anybody can see. Thou
sands of people have been thinking
along that line for several years past.
These thousands include many who
from considerations Of conservatism or
personal interest are reluctant to sane
ton any change; but there are other
thousands who are convinced that the
best interest Of the country demands
change along this very line, and the
sooner such change is made the bet
ter for all concerned.
Although we would be perfectly
willing to see trial Of this valuation
idea without unnecessary delay, frank
ly we have no idea that this Mcqueen
bill, or anything like it, is going
through the general assembly at this
time. 1t is too radical a measure and
means too much of a revolution. The
average legislator does not understand
the proposition we'll enough to begin
with and he would not have the nerve
to vote for it even if he did understand
and favor it, But the idea has been
born and is growing. Brazil has
proved the practicability Of the whole
thing in connection with the coffee in
dustry and Louisiana has already set
the pace in the application Of the prin-
ciple to trade in raw cotton. One OF
the first developments Of this valida-
ton plan after it gets in good working
order will be that all southern cotton
for abroad will necessarily have to be
shipped from southern ports, and one
effect from which there will and can
De no escape, will be to give to the
producer more nearly the actual value
of his cotton than is possible under
the existing cumbrous condition.