The watchman and southron. (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, February 17, 1897, Image 7
he Sugar Trust Revela
tions.
Many interesting but DD new facts
have beeo been elucidated bj the legis
r lative inquiry into tbe so-called Sugar
- Trust It has loos b?en known, for
example, that the profit of the Amer
icau Sugar Refiniog Company general?
ly exceed $20.000.000 annually; that
its dividends average 12 per cent ; that
its capital stock is mostly "water," and
^ that it absolutely controls the sugar
trade of the United States. Some
faots no less interesting, but not more
novel, hav8 not been brought out, such
as that the Trust debauched the Senate
and obtaioed insertion of w^at it wanted
io the Wilson bill ; that it has domi?
nated the charts whenever that was
f necessary ; that ir. ha3 roioed many
thousand* of people, and that tbe
Havemeyers, Searles and Parsons have
.^^jugg+?c! the stock on tbe Exchange to
their enormous enrichment.
Only one fact having an appearance
of novelty has been elicited by the io
? Testigatioo. That is, as the Trust's
7~ advocates pot it, that before the forma?
tion of the Trust the entire sogar busi?
ness of the country was io the haods
of fewer than one hundred men, where
aa to day more tbau 9,000 persons are
interested as owoers. The deduction
tbe Trust's friends maka from this isthat
this Trust, at any rater has not concen?
trated io the bands of a few the neces?
sities "of life and made onjost profits
from the people.
Bot that this deduction is dishonest
and misleading may be seen upon con?
sideration. Though it may he true
?that 9,000 persons own shares in the
American Sugar Refining Company,
only a half dozen of them have any
voice tn its management. The Trust is
managed by these half dozen meo, who
are, to ali intents aod purposes, one
man-Harry O R?Ve'roeyer As the
representative of the 9,000 stockhold?
ers, be exercises a monopo!) of the sop
ply and distribution of sugar in this
cou.atry Oo the other hand, the 100
persons who formerly controlled tbe
sugar trade were stockholders io fifteen
distinct corporations, aod these corpora?
tions were competitors with one aootber
It ts the number of competitors that is
important, oot tbe Dumber of persons ;
aod while formerly there were fifteen
competitor?, there is now oo com pe j
tion -at all worth mentioning. 7 e
sugar consumed by 65.000,000 person
every day-is furnished by ooe corpora
tun, which exacts so high a price for
itb product that it makes more than
$20,000,000 a year on ao actual invest?
ed capital less than that sum -N. JT.
Journal.
"> PRESlbENT?AL ELECT0F??. "
The statesmen who made the consti?
tution of the United States had to pro?
vide for a country of vast extent To
carry news frcm New Hampshire to
Georgia was then a matter of weeks.
The dispatch which announced the
opening of the war at Lexington was
carried by -expresses, who thought to
show tne?r patriotism by tho swiftness
with which they rode. And this dis?
patch was 21 days old when it reached
the patriots in Savannah.
. But the inventions of the railway and
the telegraph have changed ail this. A
man may now easily travel from Port?
land to San Francisco in less timo than
Sam Adams needed to ride to thc con?
tinental congress from Boston to Phila?
delphia. And when the traveler from
Maine arrives in San Fraucisco now he
finds the news he brings with him is al?
ready six days old. The telegraph had
told San Francisco that be bad started
before he was well out of the Portland
station.
It is all- the more curious, therefcre,
that the prudent arrangement made for
an electoral board by the constitution
should be really better adapted to the
present condition of affairs than it was
to the times of Franklin, Sherman and
Gerry, who made it The system which
places electors between tho people and
the president whom it chooses and
which makes them the deaf and dumb"'
slaves of the people has long been re?
garded as the most serious defect in the
working machinery of the constitution.
It is so. And yet it is easy to imagino
conditions now in which it would work
much more happily than it -did in the
conditions in which and for which it
was made.
The real electors of today are tho
delegates to tho rival conventions. On
the persons appointed to attend those
conventions depends tho choice of the
next president. They know this, and
the people who choose them know it.
Unfortunately they are elected with
hardly any supervision of Jaw or any
provision for the count of votes which
elect them. But, all the same, the dele?
gates wield in the conventions the moral
power of the states which they represent.
It is one of the infelicities cf such a
system that a state which has no power
in the national election appears in the
convention as the equal in rights of an?
other state sure to give its veto for tho
successful candidate. Thus in the Repub?
lican convention, Alabama will bo rated
as having as good a right to vote as
Vermont, though Vermont will certain?
ly give a Republican vote and Alabama
will not, and though every one knows
this. In the Democratic convention will
be observed the same deference to tho
court?sy which makes one state the equal
cf another.
To thc makers of tho constitution any
such convention, even, was a flat im?
possibility. For half a century after
1789 the choice of candidates was prac?
tically left to congressional caucuses cf
the one party cr the other. Until Monroe
went out this was of the less imper- I
tanc<\ because Virginia was so good as
to tage .tbe whole contract of governing I
?be country. Since f?i?T*" system "was
abandoned the convention system has
gained more and more precision " cf
movement, with more and more power.
But suppose, today, a deadlock in one
of the conventions, or, better still, in
both. Suppose that we owed it to the
good offices of silver or gold, of protec?
tion or tarif?, or all these together, tha?
each convention adjourned without a
nomination. In that case each of the
great parties would be forced back on
the plan of the constitution. And it
would work exceedingly well.
Each party would name, in each state,
the strongest possible electoral ticket it
could name, of men commanding the
public confidence, fer on such men ev?
erything would depend. In Maine Reed
men wculd be chosen by the Republic?
ans, in Ohio McKinley men. In New
York the Democrats wculd voto for
Whitney m?n, in Tennessee and Ken?
tucky for Carlisle men. Forty-eight
hours after the November vote would
tell the country whether a Republican
or a Democratic majority had been
gained in the 45 state boards of electors, j
No one would care much for whom
the minority party gave its votes. But
the electors of the successful party would
meet at Washington or at some other
central-point and determine in conven?
tion who should be their candidate.
Here we should have a convention rep?
resenting majority states, and those
states only. The members would have
been chosen by all the people, not as
now by a few eager partisans. The con?
vention could sit for one, two or even
three weeks before the members need
return to their state capitals to give the
formal vote which is required under the
constitution.
This condition of things will not come
about this year, nor, perhaps, at any
election within the next decade. But it
is more and moire probable with every
election, and when it does come about
people.will be extolling, as they shoulr1,
the wisdom of the fathers who made a
preparation so elastic and so admirable
in any contingency. We are led to con?
sider th^^j^sipiJlty of suph conti rj?rency
by tue curious'Closeness Of some or "the
presidential elections. The celebrated
election of 1800, which really changed
the policy, not to say the constitution,
of the national government, seemed to
waver for months. It v> as decided at
last in Jefferson's favor in a house of !
representatives in which the Federalists j
had a large majority. }
There were then really four modes of
choosing electors. They were chosen by j
the legislature, and some legislatures
voted by concurrent vote and some by
joint ballot, or they were chosen popu?
larly, by general ticket or by districts.
Massachusetts and Virginia had aban?
doned the district system. In Virginia
the people voted by general ticket In
Maryland, Pennsylvania and North Car?
olina the Federalists controlled the sen?
ates and the Democrats the other houses
of assembly. Different arrangements
grew out of this complication, resulting
in a division of the votes of these states.
Pennsylvania chose seven Federalist
electors and eight in opposition. North
Carolina had eight in opposition to four
Federalists, and Maryland was equally
divided.
The great decision waa made by what
may be called, roughly and with excep?
tions, the general rule of the politics of
the first 60 years of the century-name?
ly,, the union of the southern states with
New York against the rest of the north?
ern- states. At the very last the doubtful
point was South Carolina. The election j
was in the legislature. So doubtful was '
it that the opposition members even of
fered to compromise by agreeing to vote
for Jefferson and Pinckney, giving the
vote of the state to one Democrat and one
Federalist. The Federal ticket through
the country was Adams and Pinckney.
Had the South Carolina Federalists
agreed to this proposal, Jefferson and
Pinckney would have had an equal
number of votes for th*e highest office.
As Pinckney was a South Carolina man
there was naturally a local temptation
to the South Carolina Federalists to ac?
cept this offer. Had it been accepted,
Charles Coteswcrth Pinckney would
have been the third president of the
rjnited States and Themas Jefferson
would have been the vice president.
Very much to the credit of the South
Carolina Federalists, they declined the
proposal. Jefferson was chosen president
,by the house of representatives, and by
that election the course of American
history was changed.
EDWARD E. HALE.
The Plausible Lie.
We resent calumny, hypocrisy and
treachery because they harm us, not be?
cause they are untrue. Take the detrac?
tion and the mischief from the untruth,
and we are little offended by it. Turn
it into praise, and we may be pleased
with it. And yet it is not calumny and
treachery th?t do the largest sum of
mischief in the world. They are contin?
ually crushed and are felt only in being
conquered. But it is the glistening and
softly spoken lie, the amiable fallacy,
the patriotic lie of the historian, the
provident lie of the politician, the zeal?
ous lie of the partisan, the merciful lie
of the friend and the careless lie of each
man to himself that cast that black
mystery over humanity through which
we thank any man who pierces, as we
would thank one who dug a well in a
desert. Happy that the thirst for truth
remains with us, even when we have
willfully left the fountains of it.-Jehu
Ruskin.
The Measure of tho Man.
When a man says he is satisfied with
his lot, you may bo sure of one of two
things-either he is a very enterprising
and cunning specimen of humanity or
he is a liar.-Up to Date.
Another Dolt.
.'What was thc trouble between Jibs
ley and his wife?"
''Oh, the common story-they
couldn't agree on tho money question.*'
"Say! lt is too Lad that politics"
"Who said anything about politics?
The row began becau.su Jibsley insist :d
that he ought to have at least a third cf
his salary to spend on himself."-In?
dianapolis Journal.
THE OLI
AND THE BEST
Cough-cure, the most prompt arid
effective remedy for diseases o?* the
throat and lungs, is dyer's Cherry
Pectoral. As an emergency medi?
cine, for the cure of
Croup, Sore Throat,
Lung Fever and
Whooping Cough,
Cherry Pectoral
cannot be equaled.
Wife E. M. Bit ASTLEY,
. ? the American Bap?
tist Publishing Society. Petersburg,
Va., endorses it, as a cure for violent
colds, bronchitis, etc. Dr. Brawley
also adds: To all ministers suffering
from throat troubles, I recommend
AYI
iii
Cherry Pectoral
Awarded Medal at "World's Fair.
AYER S PILLS Cure Liver and Stomach Troubles.
LODGE DIRECTORY.
Claremont Lodge, No. 64, A, F. M.
Meets Thursday rights j of each
fnonth; on or before the Full Moon.
L. S. CARSON, W. M
R.C. MOSES, Secretary
Benah Chapter, No 25. R. A. M.
Meets on First Tuesday of each
rtonth.
L. S. CARSON, High Priest.
F. M. SPANN, Secret*.rv.
Gamecock Lodge, No. 17, K. of P.
Meets every Monday night at 8
o'clock, except fifth Monday night.
H. B. BLOOM, C. CJ
B. WALSH, K. of R. & S.
Sumter Lodge, No. 1077,IR. of B.
Meets every First and Third Mon?
tey nights'at 7 o'clock.
W. J. DURANT, Die.
H. C. MOSES, Rep'r.
fidelity Lodge, No. 251, K. & X. ofB.
Meets every Second and Fourth
v?onday nights at 7 o'clock.
J. S. H?GHSQN, Protector
B. J RHAVE, Secretary.
Sinter Council, No. 649, A. L. of E.
Meets every Second and Fourth
Tuesday nights at 7 o'clock.
W. F. RHAMK, Com.
J. N. CORBETT, Sec j
Sumter Lodge, No. 1, A. O. ?. W,
Meets every First and Third Thurn
day nights at 7 o'clock.
H. C. MOSES, M W
B. WALSH, Rec.
Pocahontas Tribe, No. 16, /. O. R. M.
Meets every Friday's Sleep at the
gib Run.
R ? PURDY, Sachem.
B. C. WALLACE, C. of R.
Sumter Council, No. 7 Jr. 0. U. A. M
Meets on Second and Fourth Tues?
day nights of each month at 8 o'clock
WM YEADON, Councillor.
B. C. WALLACE, Sec'ty.
Holly Wood Camp, W. of W.
Meets every Third Wednesday
night at 8 o'clock.
E. W. HURST, Con. Com
R. S. HOOD, Clerk.
Carolina Council, No 515, C. B. L.
Meets every Second and Fourth
Wednesday in Monaghan Block.
NEIL O'DONNELL, Pres
A. H. EBERHART, Sec.
j Chucuola Lodge, No 261, 0. G. C.
Meets Second and Fourth Wednc.i
day nights at 'S o'clock.
G. N.. MARSHALL, Com..
B C. WALLACE, Socty.
All of the above societies hold j
their meetings at the tMasonic Tem
pie, except when otherwise epeci
tied.
AFTER an exp?rience of twenty-eight
years io the Cabinet 9hop of Mr. J. D.
Cra'g, the undersigned have gone into the
business of repairing and cleaning furniture,
on their own account, and feeling confident
of their ability to give perfect sa'isfactioo,
respectfully solicit ?he patronage of the peo?
ple of Sumter and vicinity.
The preparing and dressing of dead bodies
for koria! will oe promptly and carefully at?
tended to.
ShoD opposite the Episcopal church.
PETERSON & CUTHBERT.
Sent. 1st. 1896. Sumter, S. C.
D. M. YOUNG,
ATTORNEY AT LAW.
Prompt attention to all business entrusted
to him. Office on Court House Square, in
Blanding office
SUMTER RESTAURANT.
Reduced Prices
Regular Meals' 25cts.
Private Dining Room for Ladies.
Dec. 30.
^^????^. 50 YEARS'
^^^HMr EXPERIENCE.
" ' \?3%* TRADE MARKS,
. 1 DESIGNS,
COPYR?CM7G Ac.
/ATivr-.. , r?rftfh ?.nd description may
O'* --?' i. fitt?, whether an invention is
ri'""' . f ConimunictttioT? strictly
c- i" : - . ' > i aaei.cj ?ors^iiriP':patents
'. . have U'nsMj'trton office.
aruu^h ?IuMi & CJ. receive
?. . ..'n^rsted, liraresi circulation of
. ."j >.. ...raul, weekly, terms $3.0? a year;
H.-i s..-*. :n"itiM. specimen copies and lLoo>
BOOK c.- ?'ATUXTS seat free. Address
MUNN & CO.,
361 ii roadway, New York.
THE VALUE of a NAME dep. ods upon
its reputation, won by deed9, not words.
The Stieff Piano has received diplomas and
awards without number. But it stands
to day, as it has done for ovrr half a century,
upon its own merita And, whilst this has
been true, there bas been no prejudice of the
makers against new ideag of real merit.
The universal verdict by those who are the
most competent Judges is that it is impossible
to ia prove upon the richness of its tone.
STANDARD ORGANS.
Terms to suit you. Send for Illustrated
Catalog.
CHARLES M. STIEFF,
Baltimore-9 N. Liberty St.
Washington-521 Eleveotb St. N. W.
Estate of R. Harry Saker, Dec'd.
ALL PERSONS holding claims against
said Estate will present same duly at?
tested, and all persons in any way indebted
io said Estate will make pavmeot without
delay to MARIE C BAKER,
Qualified Executrix.
Jan. 20- 3t.
PATRICK BURNS
Informs his friends and the public that he
ha9 opened bu9inPS3 in the Tuomey Block, at
the late stand of Fra-k O'Donnell, with a
stock of
GENERAL MERCHANDISE,
and solicits patronage.
Prices as Low as Anywhere.
Dec 23-lt.
THE BANK OF SUMTER,
SUMTER, S. C.
City and County Depository.
Transacts a general Banking buciness, also
has
A Savings Bank Department,
Deposits ot SI and upwards received In?
terest allowed at the rute of 4 per cent, per
annurz,. Payable quarterly, on first days of
Januarv, April, Juiv and October.
W. F. B HAYNS WORTH,
W. F. RHAMK, Cashier. President.
Jan 13.
le Lamest aid Most Complete
Mitant SOT?
Geo. S. Hacker & Son.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ SP
-MANUFACTURERS OF
DOORS; SASH, BLINDS,
i
Moulding & Building
Material.
rtrice ?nd Wardrooms. Kir.:;, opposite Can?
non SttPHl,
CHARLESTON. S. C.
?Si" Pnrchn<H our niMkc, whic h we ?.T?iMrar,te :
superior lo any sold South, and
thereby .-uve money.
Window and Fancy Glass a Specialty I
October.1 16-o
7
-THE
Fertilizer Season
of 1897,
I? now af hand and we are
belier prepared io supply
the wants of our friends
than ever before?
We have been handling fertilizers very largely for 14 years, and
we believe we know how to buy and where to buy.
We will handle nothing but
Standard Brands,
Unless forced to do so by illegitimate com?
petition.
Our leading brands for which we are
SOLE AGENTS
Wageners High Grade,
nigh Grade Blood and Bone and Navassa.
In addition to these we handle.
Atlantic and Chicora,
Cotton Seed Meal, Genuine German Kainit an*d Acid
Phosphate.
As cash is quite an item to us in our business, any person who is fortu?
nate enough to be able to pay cash for his fertilizer, will find it to his inter?
est to see us before buying. To those who are not so fortunate we will
figure as closers the character of security they have to offer will admit.
We would advise our friends in making their calculations for the purchase
of fertilizers and other things, not to exceed five cents as a basis for the
price of their cotton as all indications point that way
OUR STOCK OF ,
Staple Groceries and Farming Utensils
For the Spring trade is very complete. We buy our
Meat direct from Western Packers
In car load lots. And our
Flour direct from the Mills.
And all brokerage and commissions that is paid by a great many of our
competitors we give the benefit of to our customers.
' With beet wishes for a prosperous new year and hoping we may be fav?
ored with a liberal share of your business. Very respectfully,
O'DONNELL & CO.
T:
Y TRADE
I Will be Well Prepared t<
Meet the Demands of the
January Trade.
Just Received.
One car load of fine Mules.
One car load of 1-horse Wagons.
-?oil
OB*
ST
Two
eek.
car loads ?xtra choice work
Sumter, S. C., Dec. 28, 1896.