The Anderson daily intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson, S.C.) 1914-1915, 1914-02-17
PEOPLES WRITES
ON WATER POWERS
Attorney General Says South
Carolina Has Been Too
Lenieht

Columbia, Feb. 16.-Clalming that
OF all states in the union, South Caro-
lima has been more lenient and less
observant of her rights with regard
to the natural resources which she
possesses and from which income
could be derived for the support of her
government, the attorney general, re-
viewing the history OF the water sheds
On this state, explains that South
Carolina has allowed private corpora
tlons TO take up not only her naviga-
bic streams, but those which are sus-
cecuble to navigation and are nayiga-
Die under the laws OF the state, and TO
appropriate to themselves the water
powers situated thereon, water DO.
ers which are worth to the state mil
ions OF dollars, which stand ready to
develop all Of the necessary power to
run all the cotton and other manu-
tactdring industries OF the state, that
stand ready TO supply transportation
over the railroads, some OF which are
IN course OF construction and will be
ouilt between the cities of the state.
MT. Peoples adds: but forgetful of
the vast amount Of money expended
with regard to these canals around
the shoals and that spent in deyeIop-
ing water power, the state has, with
IN the last thirty years, on every
stream within her borders, given away
absolutely or for mere pittance the
most magnificent water powers nos
sessed by any state east of the Missis-
ssippi and south OF the Potomac. The
water powers IN the middle and nm
country are being exploited not in he
Hai, OF fne state. and from which she
WIN receive an income but in behalf
OF private corporations and that. too.
without any regulation and wttfy6it
any power or the state to fix the price
OF It's use by her citizens and indus
tries, and without a dollars income
save from the taxes derived from the
structures that have been placed mon
me works, Just as any indfvidual pavs
VINO does not receive anything as = ,io-
nation from tho state.
+ 1t is also apparent that, in a few
snort years, the water powers which
nave not been sbuilt upon or called to
the attentionsof the public In tbe
southern Part of the state. viii come
into notice. 1t Is said by the OMEN
ing OF the Santee Canal a LARGO
amount cf power can be hydro-eIec-
tfieelly 1Felonad to As.,;.E =, = :, 3
,9f IS and citiesin fits ora
fsaiasz!lr liustries. "a u tss
All of these powers have been
transferred I red legally or illegally. with
elL Sey 9QHp satpn whateYes. yoE
seertas s. !, y .na1s acibht comt tens satioli,
70 private CORPORATIONS and ne cons
Snch owuershtn has lain Dormant sor
[ q while for the purpose NO doubt. of
% ittipg that Tins N t,,,I,a,,r,-.
ers who have quietly acquired tfcrn
combine and consaE Eib e Alfafa}f }fsfts
.geAer into one and this tfdi "a
sqgely OF such power aogsbS neiaIS-
DeiEng country, cities, tb%hs and viz
F7t IL surely must he apparent
from the ntdst asptf consideration
tliat it Is neces skaFT even IL sIlcj, an.
9uisitions wSreg&t Tie time lawful for
tine state to now prevent such a mo-
nopoiy and not have such q cnn,h;na.
ton with such monopolistic features
accomplished right In its face, thus al
lowing, with fun knowledge OF the
practical results, the interests and
rights OF eisse uitistns OF the state TO he
taken away and subject them to the
necessary monopolistie oppression
andsdiscrimination which rnuai orisa Z
But 1t Is not clear in face of fine
old and of the present constitution of
tise state. th.'t these transfers ihava
any iegai status or can as against fhe
frights ioE fthe citizens OF the state. IA
fconsid idefed, valid or bindinx. ,Tha
manner OF the holding, the iusieniTl- :
cant deration for which they vseFk
tar1sferred, all look to NUT one rsuip
.that the property rights Of the neoI
PIesot the state III 1.-THE DaviFabIS
etfeams OF the state and in the water
Powers created by such streams can
not thus. ne taken away ana DESTROYED
Noshing can be more important to
,sFysl s'eVPio .vI ltlu sIaye InRl InaI q
careful and exhaustive Investigation
pc made into these transactions which
nave resulted in deprivlng them of
these immense nttnrai powers, and
from receiving thafefor, under ,proper
regulations and proper agreement. "a
reasonable ineoTns far the ,fse de-
ricae1 thefefrom. This investjgation
should be maea in Bsaalf of tiis atate
and not By some prearranged pro.
ceedings in the original Jurisdiction
.of the Supreme Court, which proceeds
upon affidavits obtaiaed under cir
cunlstances unknown to the adyersa
side end without opportunits OF cross
examination OF the persoa making
such affldayit and all heard In q sin.
,shod manner. JndEfnentS rendered
under such circuIis salices cannot re-.
ceiye the sapprobatloU or the conf
dence Of the people. either as to liz
WiAsepm or as to its Justice and solid.