The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-02-19

Against Seibcls.
Columbia. Feb. 16.-One Of the
most dramatic scenes that has oc-
CURED In q long time in the South
Carolisaa legislature was the clash be-
tween Senator McLaurin and the
agents OK the Southeastern Tariff AS
sociation. at q hearing before the ag-
ricultural committee of the house on
Monday afternoon. The hearing was
on the bill which had already passed
the senate to drive the Southeastern
Tariff Association out Of the State.
When this bill reached the house. it
took Its regular course and was re-
ferred to the banking and insurance
committee. Later on motion Of Mr..
Odom. chairman Of the agricultural
committee. who is a staunch friend of
the State Warehouse system. the bill
was recalled from the insurance COM
mitteo and referred to the agricul-
turai committee. Of which Mr.. Odom
In chairman.
Senator McLaurin denounced in un-
measured terms the fight which had
been made upon the system and up
on him. He charged that the .icial
organ Of the insurance combine. The
Insurarce Field. had published an ar
ticls inspired from Columbia and sent
TO the hanks in New York with which
the Staee receipts had been placed, for
the purpose OF shaking the confidence
Of the banks In the State receipts and
breaking down the State system. He
said that the insurance situation In
South Carolina was absolutely con-
trollsd through Mr.. seibeis' once,
ana that Mr.. Harrington. OF the Ger
mania. who was present and who hai
said that his company was not u mem
bcr Of the association. was really as
much q member az anybody else, and
that when Mr.. seibels demanded that
Mr.. Harrington come up and tight
with this Southeastern he came. and
that he would not insure state cotton
except through Mr. seibeis' reprsser,-
tatives. That 90 far as the claim or
Mr.. Harrington that his company was
losing money was concerned, that the
omcial record shewsd that last year
this company declared . dividend OF
two hundred thousand dollars On D
caDital f,f one inillion dollars, and ac.,
cording e the ststemsnt OF the Insur.,
ancs commissioner this was other
peoples money they made this twenty
per cent. on. Mr.. Harrington was a
pretty good man. said Senator Nc
Laurin. and no would like to do busi-
ness witt, him. and some Of the insur-
ance he had in his once was in the
Germania. represented by Mr.. Har-
rington. and Mr.. Harrington knew II.
That he was trying to help Mr.. Har-
rinston and those similarly situated,
and that II this association was dis
solved ho would take Mr.. seibels' foot
or their necks.
Mr.. SeAbels interrupted Senator Nc
IAurin and said that he respected his
ability ard believed in his sincerity,
but that Senator McIAurin was wrong
In the animosity which he expressed
towards the Southeastern; that neith-
or he nor the Southeastern had ever
done anything to embarrass or pre-
vent the development of the State
Warehouse System. Senator McIAur-
in and Mr.. seibels were standing close
together. Senator McLaurin turned
upon him like a flash and said, II will
tell you what you have done, and why
1t is that I am opposed to your A.
ization. When this warehouse sys.
tenn was trexnh1ing in the balance.
and had few friends, and I was fight
ing for its life. I came home from
Batesburg ono Saturday night-a
night so had that had to leave my
car In Batesburg and come on tho
train-and after dark. while was
eating supper, a notice was sent
around to my apartments from Mr..
Seibels' agency that all my insure. nee
In sumter county was cancelled.
How could ! place insurance after
had to carry that cot
ton over until Monday without any
insurance. suppose Mr.. Seibcls
thought that I would call him up
ana want to make some kind Of terms
with him. but will never. as a State
omciai. prostitute the dignity Of the
state OF South Carolina by begging
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