The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-02-20
WAREHOUSE SYSTEM ATTACKED
DARLINGTON URGES AMEND
MENT TO PUT SYSTEM In
CHARGE OF COMMISSION
ER OF AGRICUL-
TURE.
Warehouse Commissioner McLaurin
Severely Criticised I'm Debate and
Defended by senator Appclt-Ac-
tion Postponed.

warehouse commissioners, John l.. Nc
Iarrin. came I'm for a round OF heat
ed debate In the senate last night,
when adjourned debate on the Lee
amendment to- a bill enlarging the
powers OF the warehouse commission
or was ordered at $50 o'clock. The
discussion continued for more than
two hours. without resulting i'm a
vote. as further consideration was
postponed until this morning when
the senate meets at 1880 o'clock. The
ee amendment would devolve the
duties OF the warehouse commission
or upon the commlssioner>of agricul-
ture without compensation or addit-
inoai appropriation.
Mr.. McIaurin became an issue In
the debate when Senator Lee said that
he was not only opposed to the
warehouse system but TO the man
agement OF the system" He said that
he did not consider that Mr.. Nc
Laurin had behind him the senti-
ment OF the people, as he was elect
ed by a legislature which could
boast OF only 20 members i'm the
present lower house." Senator Evans
also scored Mr.. McLaurin. saying that
ne would vote for resolution to
impeach Mr.. McLaurin-for nothing"
but that ne was going to lay aside his
personal dislike and vote for a con-
tinuation of the warehouse system
Mr.. McLaurin was defended by Sem
stor Appelt. after which the debate
resumed its normal course.
Senator Banks. picking up the ad-
1ourned debate from Friday. recount
ed the history and Importance OF cot
ton. saying that the advance in the
marketing OF that crop should be
cared for In some way.
Senator Lee said that In the last
few days he had talked with many
men and was convinced that his
amendment was good one. 81 am
opposed to the system and to the
management OF the system" said the
Darlington senator. who went into the
difference between the personnel of
the extra session and the present ses-
sion OF the legislature. He said that
the warehouse system logically be-
longed to the department OF agricul-
ture and commerce. which is just as
competent to handle the system as
the warehouse commissioner"
He said that according to the eiec-
lions last September the people evil
IDENTIFY did not think that the last
legislature was representative: the
people elected US instead and we have
aires iy repealed the cotton acreage
reduction law"
Senator Evans said that however
much II have no love In my heart
for the former senator from Marl-
moro" no would not allow that to
prevent him from speaking In favor
OF the warehouse system. I'VE must
forget that John l.. McLaurin Is
warehouse commissioner" said the
Marlboro senator. who expressed the
opinion that Mr.. McLaurin could not
come back In South Carolina pol
ties. He appealed that personal dis
like be laid aside. ,He said that he
would vote for a resolution TO inn
peach Mr.. McIaurin-for nothing"
but that good system should not
he destroyed on account of having
Mr.. McLaurin as warehouse commits
soner." On reply to Senator Lee
the Marlboro senator said that he was
not In a position TO say that the
warehouse system had been of use to
farmers OF his county. Senator Evans
drew an analogy between cotton and
tobacco. purchased through ware
houses.
1T Is unfortunate for politics to
be injected into such a project as
this" said Senator Appel, who spoke
I'm behalf OF his friend. Senator Nc
Laurin." He said that the system
had not been given n fair trial.
Senator Nicholson said that he had
always opposed the warehouse sys-
tenn and believed that he represented
the sentiment OF farmers of Edge
Held county. He favored an inspec-
ton of warehouses; by the commits
sioner OF agriculture.
Senator Black said that no "is alb
solutely opposed to the warehouse
system" He said that as far as ne
knew no cotton had been warehoused
by the State system in his county.
where farmers are against the sys-
tenn. 81 belive in nipping II in the
bud" said the Bamberg senator.