Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-01-14
the appointment of all the prospective

the appointment or all the prospective
weighers who applied.
Study of the general law on the cot
ton weighing subject shows that 1t is
of but little value as statute. 1t Is
merely an emasculated make shift, the
outcome of compromising legislation,
which has the appearance Of doing
that which 1t does not do. 1t owes its
existence, no doubt to just such agita-
ton as Is now going on In York. Cot
ton sellers wanted law on the subject,
and cotton buyers did not want any
law. Legislators wanted to please both
sides and finally arrived at jargon Of
words to which they could refer the
cotton sellers as evidence Of faithful
performance, and at the same time
they could show the cotton buyers that
1t did not amount to anything, and
thus keep both sides easy.
Because of the action of the county
commissioners, in the summer Of 1911,
in appointing more than one weigher
for Yorkville where the cotton produc-
ers believed that the law and reason,
and certainly the object they had In
view, warranted the appointment OF
only one, the matter figured quite ex-
tensively in the primary campaign Of
last summer. Supervisor Boyd had
voted for the appointment of only one
weigher in the first instance and to
those who were interested, he unhesi-
tatingly declared his adherence to the
same platform. Messrs. Jos. w. Smith
and White w. jackson also declared
that they were In favor Of the appoint
ment Of but single weigher for each
market that desired a weigher, and all
three got the full support of the pub
lie platform and public weigher advo-
Gates.
Senator Beamguard did not hesitate
to tell the public platform and weigher
advocates, that he would do all in his
power to secure for them such legisla-
ton on the subject as might be de-
sired; but at the same time he assured
them that he would be foolish to
promise definite results. There will
be no trouble" he said, "in getting
through q special law; but a special
law Is of no value unless the people
concerned are willing to abi'e by 1t.
The Constitution prohibits the enact
ment Of special law where a general
law will apply, and although there are
numerous special laws on the subject,
and towns are working under them
successfully, as matter Of fact the
only reason is because the sentiment
Of sellers and buyers at those places
uphold the system. AS a matter Of
fact all the law that any of these
towns have, q law that will stand the
test-is the same general law that
now applies In York county. And one
of the great troubles about the passage
of an adequate general law Is this. You
encounter the opposition not only Of
the people who do not want any public
platforms and weighers; but of repre-
sentatives from counties where the
public weighing system Is in smooth
operation and giving perfect satisfac-
ton. These representatives oppose,
not because Of objection to an ade-
quate general law; but because Of
fear of disturbing local conditions that
are already giving perfect satisfaction.
So under the circumstances you see
that the problem is by no means an
easy one. However, I am in sympathy
with you and at your service to do the
best I can"
There has been a public platform
and public weigher at Gaffney ever
since Gaffney has been a town. Ches-
ter got through q special bill about
FIVE years ago through the efforts of
Representative A. G. Brice, and al
though the local buyers offered a good
deal of opposition at first, the friction
finally wore away and everybody Is
now satisfied. Lancaster has been
passing through the same experience
and in spite of much opposition, the
understanding is that the public plat
form and weigher system Is now
operating in the town Of Lancaster
with perfect satisfaction to the sellers,
and that buyers are no longer giving
any trouble. They are operating un-
der the general law.
Mr.. John ]. McCarter, Of Fflbert,
who is representative Of many farmers
throughout the northern part of the
township on this subject, as he has
been at times in various other matters,
was in Yorkville last Saturday confer
ring with different people as to the
best steps to secure a public platform
and weigher for this market From
what he said, he appeared to be fully
cognizant of many Of the difficulties In
the way; but was Of opinion that If
the general assembly does not at Its
present session pass satisfactory and
efficient general law, there will be
nothing better for the cotton produc-
ers who live within five miles Of the
Yorkville market than to make anoth-
er effort under the present general law.
in the hope that the desired result may
be finally attained through the prom
ised backing Of the present county
board Of commissioners.