The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1916-01-12
MESSAGE.
CONTINUED from page 81

they have a larger attendance than
at any time in their history.
Referring to the teaching of agri-
culture in the schools of Darlington
county, he states that he does not
hesitate to commend the matter to
the favorable consideration of the
General Assembly.
The Governor calls attention fur
Their to the fact that the boil weevil
is now in LAG miles of the South Caro-
lima, line; and disaster from its ap-
pearance will soon be upon US. Ow-
ing to the fact that farmers must
change from cotton to other money
crops with its appearance, he urges
that they be educated in raising
these other crops, S o that we may be
ready for the evil when it comes.
Coming to the State Warehouse
system, the Governor says:
81 invite your attention to the con-
sidcration of the State Warehouse
system. The inauguration of this
system has marked a radical depart
ure in democratic government. 1t
has given emphasis to the protection
of property rights. By the ware
housing of agricultural products and
providing a plan whereby they may
be gradually marketed, it aims to pro-
tect the owner of these products
against conditions which deprive him
of legitimate profit and which endan-
ger the continuance of agricultural
pursuit on a basis that gives adequate
returns for labor, and makes agri-
cultural rural life profitable and at
tractive. 1t is an attempt on the part
of the State to help the citizen to
help himself. This is in accord with
justice and humanity, and character
istic of the progressive spirit of this
age.
It is inevitable, however, that a
system that aims at revolutionizing
the marketing of u great money
crop, should not be perfected in its
initial stage. Operation of this sys-
tenn has demonstrated that it can be
of great and valuable service. 1t
should be our aim to perfect the sys-
TEN, to operate it on sound business
principles, to protect it against pos
sible abuses, and to throw around it
every possible safeguard. Make the
State warehouse receipt a collateral
that will be recognized as safe, so
that it will be sought after as collat-
eral to loans in any of the money
centers and money markets of this
country. =,
The liability of the State should
be clearly defined. 1t is not neces-
sary for me to suggest specific
amendments to the act. 1t is well to
bear in mind that our chief source of
borrowed money is to be had through
the Federal Reserve Bank. The re-
ouirements of that institution should
be met, both because they are sound
and reasonable and because these re-
ouirements and these safeguards will
the sooner attract attention in mon
ey markets, to these receipts as col
lateral, and thus will be sought after
by investors. This will eventually
lead to the lowest obtainable rates of
interest. I refer you to the question
of ownership and management-the
manager of the warehouse issuing ne
gotiable receipts should be a disin-
terested party and not the owner OF
the cotton stored, on which it is pro-
posed to issue negotiable receipts:
Accurate and reliable grading and
weighing by licensed graders and
weighers is of great Importance. 1t
may be tina these matters might best
be regulated by rules and regulations
of the commissioner and the board
of commissioners, to which Will re-
fer later, or by legislative enactment.
/ regard it as essential that this sys-
tenn shall not be dependent upon the
personality of any one man. The I'M
certainty of life and the certainty OF
death make this all the more impor-
tant. The act should be amended
so as to provide for the appointment
by the Governor, by and with the ad-
vice and consent of the Senate, OF a
board of three commissioners, with
the State Commissioner, as ex offlclo
chairman, whose terms should be for
six years, except the first appointees,
whose terms should be for two, four
and six years. respectively, so that a
majority of the board could not be
displaced during any particular ad-
m%inistration, except for neglect of
duty, or ~malfeasance in office. The
commissioner, with the approval of
the board shall be authorized to make
sales: but no sale should be permitted
by him or them, individually or as
agent without the grading and weigh
ing by licensed graders and weighers.
It is generally believed that there
has been, and continues to be, serious
loss to the producers from inaccurate
and undergrading. 1t may be advis-
able for the State to adpot the stand
ard grading of the United States Gov
eminent.
The State commissioner has sue
ceeding in securing low rates of in
surance, which is IN important item
in the charges Of storing and car
rying cotton; and he should be given
full credit for the activity and effec-
five ,vorL, he has done to secure this