S % MS I ,
3
m 1-
arkston, S. C
1896
Deep Water
Accomplished!
New Railroads Projected!
Increased and
Increasing Business!
Compliments of
So. 6a. Loan & Trust 6o.t
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as i
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CHARLESTON, S. G.
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wr
Sixty-Seven Millions.
G^arlestoi) iij 1896.
Encouraging Record of the Past Commercial Year—Deep Water to the Sea !
The Jetties are Finished—Picking up all Along the Line—Beginning to
Help Ourselves—Bright Prospects for the New Year.
[From The News and Courier, September 15, 1896.]
Charleston has felt the commercial de¬
pression, which has prevailed throughout
the country, to a more appreciable extent
during the last twelve months than at
any time since the beginning of the present
panicky conditions in 1893. Discriminated
against by the railroads, and seriously in¬
jured by the political conditions in this
State, which have not been in the last few
years conducive to the development of the
business interests of this community, and
not yet wholly recovered from the disas¬
trous effects of the severe storm which
devastated so large a part of the country
tributary to this market, the old city has
yet managed to maintain its credit and
to retain its business in a remarkable
way. The figures show that the total
trade and commerce of Charleston dur¬
ing the commercial year ending August
31, 1896. amounted to $67,265,129. This is
a slight improvement on the business of
the preceding year, and is more than a
million dollars in excess of the total trade
of the city in 1886, ten years ago.
The prospects for the new year upon
which we have entered are full of encour¬
agement. During the past twelve months
the people of Charleston have determined
that they would do something to help
themselves. This we regard as a most
hopeful indication of the future business
life of the city. Heretofore we have wait¬
ed for others to help us, without do¬
ing anything to help ourselves, but on the
contrary have impaired our resources in
promoting the development and indus¬
tries of other and distant communities.
The organization of the Security Con¬
struction Company, and of the Charleston
and Macon Railroad Company mean the
salvation of this city. In these two com¬
panies the people of Charleston have in¬
vested about half a million dollars. There
is reason to expect that before the close
of the present year Charleston will have
regained a large part of the territory nat¬
urally tributary to this port, but which has
been made tributary to other markets.
With a line of steamships from Charles¬
ton to Liverpool, ample facilities for
handling Western grain and produce, and
a new line of railroads which will restore
to this city the trade of the upper part of
South Carolina and enable Charleston to
dictate its rates for Western business.
there is reason to believe that the new year
will bring developments which will assure
not only the present business prosperity,
but the future commercial supremacy of
the most favorably situated port on the
South Atlantic coast.
The Jetties, upon which the Government
has expended already something over
$3,000,000, are practically completed and
have given Charleston a deep water chan-
H tz.2721
■ C'i S
nel from the docks to the sea. The ter¬
minal facilities of the port are sufficient
for any increase of business which may
come to Charleston, and the credit of
Charleston is unimpaired. There is not
much to crow over in the achievements of
the past year, but there is a good deal of
solid satisfaction to be found in the up¬
ward tendency of the business of the port.
THE YEAR'S WORK.
What Charleston has Accomplished in
Spite of the Hard Times.
The subjoined tables exhibit the trade
of Charleston in money value during the
fiscal year ending August 31, 1896, and for
the previous year:
AMOUNT OF TRADE.
1895-96. 1894-95.
Cotton, uplands, bales ... 281,717 420,169
Cotton, sea islands, bags 10,619 5,383
Rice, barrels 76,500 67,390
Turpentine, casks 8,910 11,939
Rosin, barrels 59,530 74,492
Phosphate rock, (crude,)
tons 330,827 276,778
Phosphate rock, (ground,)
tons 8,018 5,000
Fertilizers, tons 257,715 160,000
Lumber and crossties,
feet 87,297,779 81,908,589
Cotton goods, domestics,
bales 83,755 88,428
TOTAL VALUES.
1895-96. 1894-95.
Cotton, uplands $11,268,680 $12,605,070
Cotton, sea islands 902,615 457,555
Rice 994,000 808,680
Turpentine 142,560 191,024
Rosin 119,060 148,984
Phosphate rock (crude).. 1,323,308 1,107,112
Phosphate rock (ground) 52,117 32,500
Fertilizers 3,221,437 2,000,000
Cotton goods, domes¬
tics. etc 4,355,260 4,634,540
Lumber and crossties .. 1,056,390 983,983
Fruits and vegetables .. 1,643,702 2,100,000
Manufactures, exclusive
of fertilizers 12,081,000 12,617,000
Wholesale and retail
trade 29,705,000 29,159,900
Insurance 400,000 400,000
Total $67,265,129 $67,246,348
Foreign Trade.
The foreign trade of the port is shown
in the following table:
COMPARATIVE IMPORTS.
1895-96 1894-95. 1893-94.
September ...$ 26,336 $ 91,988 $ 69,699
October 31,682 77,291 142,081
November 61,998 151,015 97,165
December 192,003 129,858 106,953
January 86,660 105,514 19,179
February 30,815 24,678 24,999
March 19,472 15,534 33,324
April 17,806 1,279 32,730
May 4,317 23,039 14,039
June 4,884 2,977 22,587
July 5,024 24,500 6,120
August 13,276 828 37,641
Totals $494,273 $648,321 $606,517
of RAILWAY ECOMCtf
WASHINGTON, 0. C.
J.
4 tc
v V -J _
COMPARATIVE EXPORTS.
tive exports
for the past
three years:
1895-%.
1894-95. 1893-94.
September .
. ..$ 355,405 $
208,420 $
6,271
October ..
. . 2,521,834
2,551,458
2,357,016
November .
.. 1,670,015
1,737,715
2,515,728
December .
.. 1,130,048
1,899,343
3,401,723
January ..
.. . 786,884
1,688,339
1,990,144
February ..
.. . 825,657
719,251
1,387,129
March .. ..
640,437
1,280,410
232,805
April
495,140
300,186
225,595
May
8,980
81,950
637,611
June
60,380
316,067
34,960
July
800
100
113,758
August .. .
9,222
40,975
Totals
.$8,504,802 $10,783,239 $12,943,717
EXPORTS AND IMPORTS.
The following table shows the value of
the foreign imports and exports at Charles¬
ton for the past sixteen years, up to Au¬
gust 31, of each year:
Year. Exports.
1880 $19,724,620
1881 26,646,074
1882 19,617,480
1883 :. .. 22,570,167
1884 16,115,630
1885 18,783,047
1886 17,741,003
1887 14,629,272
1888 15,451,736
1889 13,984,859
1890 13,807,673
1891 21,857,470
1892 16,760,245
1893 9,286,925
1894 12,943,717
1895 10,783,239
1896 8,504,802
Imports.
$ 200,677
460,289
586,800
506,565
432,937
494,690
711,265
536,490
575,769
651,935
683,232
1,056,920
745,621
672,531
606,517
648,321
494,273
REEF WATER OR THE BAR.
A Comprehensive Statement by Capt Fred¬
eric V. Abbot, of the Government Work
in Charleston Harbor.
To the Editor of The News and Courier:.
In answer to your verbal request I hand
you the following statement regarding the
condition of the harbor entrance, and the
description of the methods by which it
has been so successfully improved. To do
this it will be necessary to state a number
of facts well known to your readers, but
which have special bearing on the prob¬
lem:
The entrance to the enclosed basin at
Charleston, S. C., is about one mile wide
and lies between Fort Sumter and Fort
Moultrie. The former is situated on an
artificial island practically connected with
James Island by a flat sand shoal bare at
low water. Fort Moultrie is on Sullivan's
Island, which is separated from the north¬
ern main land only by an insignificant
creek. The harbor basin proper is about
three miles long from east to west and two
miles wide from north to south, and
branches out into the two tidal basins
known as Ashley and Cooper rivers. These
3
streams have no appreciable fresh water
discharge, and hence the volume of each
ebb tide is dependent on that of the pre¬
ceding flood.
In 1878, when work began, the mean
range of tide was 5.1 feet. It is now 4.9
feet. A range of eleven feet may occur
during storms. This corresponds with a
discharge of 12,000,000,000 cubic feet in six
or eight hours' time, at a rate of over
550,000 cubic feet per second for a great
part of the tide. The discharge of average
tides is 4,000,000,000 cubic feet in six hours,
or over 180,000 cubic feet per second for a
great part of each tide.
In the unimproved condition of the en¬
trance a channel 80 feet deep in the deep¬
est parts and 3,200 feet wide between 21-
foot contours was maintained by the ebb
tide flowing out between Sullivan's Isl¬
and and Fort Sumter, where the shore lines
are 4,500 feet apart. This was a plain in¬
dication^ that a channel of 21 feet depth
and of a width sufficient for safe naviga¬
tion could be formed and maintained by
forcing a portion of the ebb discharge to
pass out over a limited and artificially de¬
fined part of the bar, leaving the greater
part of the ebb and as much of the flood
as possible to flow as formerly. This would
preserve the general balance between the
effects of the flood, of the ebb, and of
waves, to such a degree that the general
regimen and locus of the bar would re¬
main as formerly, while a purely local
deepening, sufficient for the needs of com¬
merce, would be obtained across that par¬
ticular part of the bar selected for the
new channel.
In the original design made by Col Q. A.
Gillmore, and in all subsequent modifica¬
tions which have been prompted by expe¬
rience gained as work advanced, this main
essential idea has been most carefully pre¬
served intact, and more care and more
thought have been devoted to avoiding ex¬
cessive interference with the original na¬
tural conditions than to the more evident
and less difficult study of how to create
increased scour in the new channel.
Surveys and current measurement show,
for the material composing the bottom of
the outer harbor, that wherever the ebb at
its strength attains habitually a velocity
of four feet a second, and the flood at the
same position does not have at its strength
a velocity of over 2 1-2 to 3 feet per second,
depths of 21 feet at low .tide or more are
found. The problem to be solved is thus
reduced to securing an increase in the
velocity of ebb flow over some parts of the
bar to about 4 feet per second without any
marked increase in the flood tide velocity,
which is here generally about 2 1-2 feet
per second. Knowing the total discharges
above stated, the method of increasing the
ebb velocity was plain and simple, but the
fact that the flood currents must not be
equally intensified involved a very careful
examination of the regimen of the en¬
trance of the flood tide into the harbor
basin.
Another vital point to be considered was
the local peculiarity of sand movement on
the bar itself. As at most entrances on the
South Atlantic coast," there is at Charles¬
ton a prevailing movement from the
northeast to the southwest, which affects
the sand composing the bar. If the por¬
tion of the bar selected for improvement
be taken near the southwest end it is plain
that the sand drifting down the bar is
likely to be deposited in or in front of the
improved channel. By selecting a point
well to the northeastward Col Gillmore
avoided a conflict with a most uncontrolla¬
ble force; even now, after the North Jetty
has been raised to high water for six
years, there is no indication of any piling
up of drifting material against it on the
north and east side, or of any advance of
the fore shore, which has been fatal to so
many attractive projects.
The selection of the nortneastern end of
Charleston bar is made imperative by both
of the last two features considered. The
funnel shape formed by the shore lines of
Sullivan's and Morris islands causes a very
local piling up near their shores of the
flood tide, which finds its way in over the
whole length of the bar with quite a uni¬
form flow. As a result the velocity of the
flood is greatest close along their shores,
and more water will enter the harbor in
a given time through an opening near the
shore ends of a jetty springing from
either of these islands than would be the
case if an opening of equal cross section
were made further out from the land. The
necessity of allowing the flood tide to en¬
ter with as little increase of velocity as
possible then demands low inner ends for
both Jetties. If the inner ends must be
kept low it is plain that the direction of
the new channel must be selected so that
the inertia of the water when flowing ebb
shall carry enough of it beyond these
openings before it can turn either side and
thus escape. Otherwise, no increase in
ebb velocity as compared with flood veloc¬
ity will occur in the new channel. In
brief, this new channel must be in the
direct prolongation of the line of natural
flow of the ebb tide as it issues from the
enclosing basin.
The Jetty channel as actually located is
far enough north to avoid the struggle
with sand moving down the bar, and is in
such a direction that the living force of
the ebb discharge carries the water out
past the openings, and gives a dynamic
head equivalent to a static head of some
seven or eight inches. This is proved by
the fact that during ebb tide about 1,000
feet seaward of the point where the Jet¬
ties first rise from their low level to high
water the water between them is higher
4
by that amount than the general ocean
level outside of them at the same distance
from shore. This head of seven inches has
caused the ebb velocity in the new chan¬
nel to increase from about two and a half
feet per second to a little over four feet
per second, as was desired. The flood
velocities have been hardly appreciably
affected anywhere, except extremely lo¬
cally, where the entering water pours over
the low inner ends.
The general theory of the improvement
has now been explained, but one point de¬
serves attention before passing to more
detailed consideration of the works now so
successfully completed. By leaving the in¬
ner ends low, and raising the outer ends
first and gradually advancing this raising
process towards the shore, it is possible to
divert just such a proportion of the ebb as
actual surveys show to be needed, and
thus to avoid costly mistakes in judgment
or in computations of probable velocities
and discharges, doubtful at the best when
such complicated conditions of flow are in¬
volved. It also permits a subsequent in¬
crease in the depth of the new entrance if
the commerce developed is sufficient to
justify the expense of further extending
the Jetties.
At Charleston the importance of avoid¬
ing excessive scour even in the new chan¬
nel itself is unusually great, because the
depth for a long distance in front of the
entrance is but slightly in excess of that
required by the project, and the more
material Bushed out from between the
Jetties the greater is the danger of its
lodging directly in front, and thus sim¬
ply moving the bar out to sea without any
increase in available depth. The surveys
show that this danger has been success¬
fully avoided.
The above general considerations result¬
ed in the location of the Jetties as actu¬
ally built. They spring respectively from
the shores of Sullivan's and Morris islands,
with their inner ends normal to the shore
lines, and raised only a few feet above
the bottom for the first 6,000 feet. They
are then curved (convex toward the new
channel) so that at a distance of about
9,000 feet from Sullivan's Island and 14,000
feet from Morris Island they become
parallel and about 2,900 feet apart between
centre lines. The direction of their paral¬
lel portions is south 58 degrees east, which
makes the enclosed channel point direct¬
ly toward the City of Charleston, with
Fort Sumter just a little to the southwest
of the centre line, making the defence of
the new channel exceptionally effective.
There is no room for the enemy's fleet to
deploy and concentrate their fire on the
fort. As the vessels approach the fort ex¬
actly head on. the guns in Fort Sumter
can be aimed without any large changes
due to the vessel's motion, the latter af¬
fecting only the range. With the flat tra¬
jectories of modern high power rifles this
would be a matter requiring but little ad¬
justment of the elevation. This position
of Fort Sumter also allows a most sensi¬
tive range for use at night, or during the
day time in time of peace. The best water
in the new channel is exactly on the range
of Sumter light and a light in the belfry
of St Philip's Church, in Charleston, some
three and a half miles in rear, so that the
change in apparent position of the two
range lights can be seen as one walks
across the deck of a steamer crossing the
bar.
An incidental advantage of the low in¬
ner ends is the preservation of the old
Main Ship Channel, for a time 'at least,
for the use of vessels drawing not over
12 or 13 feet. This is a decided advantage
for such craft when going southward, and
is with certain winds a convenience to
sailing vessels entering without the aid
of a tugboat. Up to the present time
there has been but little shoaling on the
Old South Bar itself, but the gradual nar¬
rowing of the old Main Ship Channel a
little south of the South Jetty looks as
though this channel might not survive
many years longer. It was formed origi¬
nally by the drift of sand from the north¬
east forcing the natural outlet, which is
coincident with the present Jetty channel,
to the south, and now that this is stopped
by the Jetties, the old channel may rea¬
sonably be expected to deteriorate grad¬
ually with time, although it will undoubt¬
edly be maintained with a diminished
depth by the large volume of ebb that
is still allowed to flow as formerly, pass¬
ing over the top of the submerged portion
of the South Jetty.
The above general project has required
the use of the following quantities of ma¬
terial:
Total Lengths Dredging Stone Mattress
feet. cub yds. tons. sq yds.
North Jetty .15,443 449,971 185,776
South Jetty. .19,104 667,079 329,870
Total. . .34,547 2,205,544 1,117,050 515,646
The total cost of the improvement has
been $3,906.869 78.
PROGRESSIVE CHANGES IN THE
CHANNEL.
By 1884 the Jetties had reached such a
stage that their effect on the channel be¬
gan to be apparent. The annual survey of
this year was very extensive and thor¬
ough. and the data for tidal reductions had
by that time been so well determined that
this survey has uniformly been selected in
recent annual reports as the one with
which to compare the improved channel.
In 1884 there was a large shoal connecting
with the North Jetty, about at the point
| where the latter becomes parallel with
5
the South Jetty. As defined by the 12-foot I
curve this shoal extended across the
space between the Jetties to within 700
feet of the South Jetty, a very largo part
of it had less than 9 feet on it at mean
low tide, and the least depth found any¬
where on it was about 6 feet. This sand
reef was then known as Jim Evans shoal.
Connecting with the South Jetty at a point
about opposite the outer junction of the
12-foot curve of Jim Evans shoal and the
North Jetty was another reef then called
Swash reef. This shoal as defined by the
12-foot curve was about equal in area to
Jim Evans; it extended to within 100 feet
of the North Jetty, had less than 9 feet
depth over a large portion of its area, and
its least sounding was less than 6 feet. Be¬
tween the two there was a diagonal chan¬
nel 1,000 feet wide, with depth beiween
11 1-2 and 13 1-2 feet. Between the paral¬
lel parts of the Jetties there was no sound¬
ing as deep as 15 feet and the distance from
18 feet depths inside to 18 feet depths out¬
side, was about 8,000 feet. Between 21 feet
inside and 21 feet outside the distance was
at that time about 15,000 feet. Such was the
barrier to be removed.
By 1889, five years later, Jim Evans shoal
had been pushed down along the North
Jetty some 700 feet, and the area less than
9 feet was greatly reduced. Swash reef had
been pushed out fully 1,000 feet with a
similar reduction in area less than 9 feet
deep. Its 12-foot curve had, however, con¬
nected with the North Jetty, and the
12-foot curve of Jim Evans shoal was
within 400 feet of the South Jetty. So far
as commerce was concerned the result was
a decided loss of available depth, but little
or no traffic used this channel, and the re¬
sults from an engineering point of view
were encouraging, as much material had
been moved by the Jetties when only a few
feet above the bottom, and the tendency
was to level off the tops of shoals.
By June, 1891, considerable portions of
the Jetties had been raised to or above low
water, and the effect was very plain.
Hardly any area less than 9 feet was found
on Jim Evans, and the 9-foot lump on
Swash Reef had been pushed out beyond
the Jetties and off to the southward.
Both shoals had as before moved rapidly
outward and a straight 12-foot channel
had nearly broken through just where the
shoalest water on Swash Reef had for¬
merly been found.
In the map of June, 1892, the effect of
dredging is seen in the appearance of a
narrow straight 15-foot cut from the deeper
water inside down to the point where the
Jetties become parallel. This year's map
also for the first time shows areas of over
15 feet deep between the parallel parts of
the Jetties. They were of considerable
size and nearly connecting. A narrow 12-
foot channel had broken through.
A survey made in September, 1893, imme¬
diately after the most severe hurricane
known here for a century, showed the Jet¬
ties to be in good condition, with even bet¬
ter water between them than in June of
that year. A broad and straight 15-foot
channel was shown all the way through.
The last traces of Swash Reef had van¬
ished, and Jim Evans was well out beyond
the outer end of the North Jetty. By this
time the value of the pump dredge was
well proved. The Jetties were amply able
to take care of matters at all points, ex¬
cept at the extreme outer end. Here Jim
Evans Shoal was trying to move off to
the southwest, as Swash Reef had done.
To do so it had to cross our channel, and
at this point the dredge was just able to
keep up with the supply of material beaten
into the channel. In the meantime a
strong tendency for a deep channel, to
open to the north between Jim Evans
Shoal and the outer part of the North
Jetty, had shown itself.
In June, 1894, an 18-foot channel all the
way through this outer shoal was
found, but about opposite the point where
the Jetties first become parallel there was
still less than this depth. Here the bottom
was hard shell, and did not give way to
either the scour or the pump dredge.
Since that time the successive surveys
have generally showed progressive im¬
provement. The hard inner shoal has been
removed by a clam shell dredge. On this
year's map, (June, 1896,) is shown a
straight and safe 18-foot channel all the
way through, with a centre depth of 18 1-2
feet at low water, 23 1-2 feet at high water.
The general depth is much greater than
this, and 21 feet depth at low water; 26
feet depth at high water, the projected
depth, is all the way through except for a
distance of 700 feet on the shortest line be¬
tween the 21-foot curves inside and out¬
side of this narrow ridge at the entrance.
On the line of the present deepest water
this distance is 900 feet. The channel pass¬
ing out to the north of Jim Evans, or what
is now left of that shoal, is now over 500
feet wide between 15-foot curves, and an¬
other, but narrow channel, 17 feet deep at
low water, 22 feet deep at high water, has
broken out some distance beyond the outer
end of the South Jetty. There is hardly
any water to be found on Jim Evans less
than 12 feet deep, and this whole shoal la
rapidly and certainly becoming dispersed
and carried off.
How much of this increased depth is due
to the Jetties and how much to dredg¬
ing? The dredge has been closely confined
to the range shown on the chart, which is
that of St Philip's Church steeple light
and Fort Sumter light, while the deepen¬
ing is general over almost the entire area
between the Jetties. The total dredging
has aggregated 2,205,544 cubic yards. The
total deepening since 1884 corresponds with
a disappearance of 4,094,247 cubic yards
The difference is the effect pure and sim¬
ple of the Jetties. As they act the first
effect is to push material out straight to
the front. It is there exposed to the ten¬
dency of all material on the bar to be
driven off to the southwest, which is at
right angles with the new channel. The
total 4,094,247 cubic yards above given
shows only the quantity that this ten¬
dency and dredging has been able to re¬
move. The area under consideration is
that part of the bar selected for improve¬
ment, which lies between depths of 21
feet inside and 21 feet outside, and is in¬
cluded between parallel lines defined by
the jetty axis prolonged both inward and
seaward. The inner 12,440 feet of this area
shows cut amounting to 4,984,768 cubic
yards. The dredging has been 2,205,544,
the balance, 2,779,244 cubic yards, shows the
total jetty scour. The difference, amount¬
ing to 890,521 cubic yards, between the to¬
tal scour on the inner 12,440 feet and the
entire amount of material above given as
having absolutely disappeared shows the
quantity that the Jetties have moved out,
but which has not yet been finally dis¬
posed of by either dredging or drifting off
out of the way to the southwest. It fol¬
lows from this that the Jetty currents are
by fully that amount more active than
the drifting and dredging combined. This
is another strong illustration of the neces¬
sity of not overdoing the contraction. If
the scour had been increased by more vio¬
lently concentrating the ebb the effect
would have been simply to supply material
to form a new outer shoal more rapidly
than it could have been dissipated by the
natural causes beyond the Jetty ends,
which we cannot control, and by our
dredging. In place of more rapid progress
the improvement in channel depth which
is now afforded commerce would have
been secured later or at a greatly increased
cost for dredging.
But little more remains to be accom¬
plished. The surveys show that
there is no new material coming
down the bar from the north to
reinforce the present outer shoal,
which is composed exclusively of sand we
have pushed out ourselves from between
the Jetties. The scour between them is
diminishing, and the channel for a con¬
siderable part of the area considered is in
a state of quiescence, with depths between
22 feet and 28 feet at low water. The
scene of active effort is well outside of the
area between the Jetties, and with the re¬
moval of the small quantity of material
left here the whole improvement will be
completed. The expenditures have been
less than the estimated cost l"V more than
$400,000, and cash enough is i -ill in hand
to maintain the Jetties and continue the
dredging till the outer shoal is so far re¬
duced as to cause no more inconvenience.
If Congress further appropriates the $253,-
000 needed to complete the amount it au¬
thorized us to expend under continuing
contract, the work can be maintained for
ten years at least. Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
Frederic V. Abbot,
Captain of Engineers.
United States Engineer's office, Charles¬
ton, September 1, 1896.
CHARLESTON'S MAN UFA CTUUES.
A Very Good Result for a Very Hard and
Distressing Year.
The year ending September 1, 1896, has
not resulted in that degree of prosperity
among Charleston's manufacturing indus¬
tries that it gave promise of doing when
the year began. The rising tide of return¬
ing prosperity which seemed to be coming
in has been again checked, this time by
the uncertainty as to the financial future,
inspired by the silver agitation. All busi¬
ness interests have languished and manu¬
factures have not escaped the effect of
the general depression. Charleston has
every reason to be satisfied that the fall¬
ing off in the total value of its manufac¬
tured products is so inconsiderable.
The Cotton Mill did a fairly good busi¬
ness for the first part of the year. The
product turned out is about the same as
last year, but prices have been lower. The
mill closed down in June and has not yet
resumed operations.
The Bagging Factory turned out about
the same product as in the previous year,
but the higher prices for bagging which
have obtained during this year, averaging
about one cent a yard higher, makes the
value of the annual output about 20 per
cent greater than last year.
The two ice factories have had all the
business they could handle this summer.
The price obtained by the factories is 10
cents a hundred pounds higher than last
year, or an advance in the wholesale price
of 33 1-3 per cent. The cost of ice to the
consumers, however, has been much
greater than these figures, and perhaps
there never have been so many complaints
against the retail ice dealers as there have
been this year. The daily capacity of the
two factories is now 135 tons.
Our largest manufacturing industry, the
fertilizer factories, have done a very large
business during the year just closed. The
total output of commercial fertilizers was
260,000 tons, which, including 70,000 tons
sold but not yet delivered, is an increase
of about 60 per cent over last year. The
greater sales, however, were offset by
lower prices, and the value of the total
output was less by $120,000 than the pre¬
vious year. Of this decrease in value
$90,000 is due to the falling off in price of
acid phosphate and $30,000 to ammoniated
goods.
Early in the year an effort was made
to prevent the disastrous cutting of rates
7
which prevailed the previous year, and a
combination was entered into by the sev¬
eral companies, known as the Cotton
States Fertilizer Company. The goods of
all the mills were sold through this com¬
pany and home competition at least was
prevented. The combine did not work sat¬
isfactorily to all the companies, however,
and the Cotton States Company was ac¬
cordingly dissolved in June last.
During the year the most unfortunate
feature connected with the fertilizer trade
was the failure of the Ashley Phosphate
Company. These works were put up at
auction for sale, but were bought in by the
creditors. They will probably be offered
for sale again at a more auspicious time.
The works are now closed.
The Basket and Veneer Works have gone
into the hands of a receiver since our last
annual statement. The industry, how¬
ever, continues to do business at the old
stand, and is doing so well that it is hoped
that it will soon be working under its cor¬
porate management again.
The Brewery, too, has gone into the
hands of a receiver, but under the skilful
business management of Mr Cramer the
plant is making money.
The mortgage on the City of Charles¬
ton Water-works Company was fore¬
closed a few months ago and the company
was reorganized as Charleston Water¬
works. The capital of the company is
$600,000 of bonds and $100,000 of stock. The
officers of the company declined to give
out the value of the annual product. Con¬
sequently we have used the figures pub¬
lished last year.
The Knitting Factory is a new enterprise
started during the year. It is being man¬
aged by energetic and successful young
business men. The figures given as the
value of the annual product is estimated
from the value of the product turned out
for the part of the year during which the
company has been running.
Hands Capital Annual
Class. No. empl'd invs'd. prod'ct.
Cotton facto-
ries
1
645 $
600,000 $
; 700,000
Bagging facto¬
ries
1
325
300,000
420,000
Bag factories .
2
55
150,000
475,000
Breweries . ..
1
100
167,000
300,000
Ice factories .
2
25
75,000
133,000
Gas compa¬
nies
1
105
698,000
150,000
Electric light
and power ..
1
18
100,000
60,000
Basket and wil-
lowware fac¬
tories
2
13
10,000
25,000
Envelope and
box facto¬
ries
1
63
30,000
75,000
Fertilizer
works
12
1,335
5,275,000
4,145,000
Rice mills .. ..
2
110
300,000
800,000
Saw and lum¬
ber mills . ..
8
250
300,000
850,000
Ship and boat
yards
3
70
75,000
150,000
Candy facto¬
ries
10
60
100,000
300,000
Founderies and
iron works .
3
200
250,000
350,000
Job printing and
book bind-
ing .. .. .. ..
8
180
325,000
450,000
Carriage and
wagon
works
6
100
50,000
100,000
Flour and grist
mills
8
275
150,000
700,000
Bakeries ..
36
290
140,000
725,000
Plumbers, t i n
and c o p p e i
workers .. .
34
100
175,000
200,000
Cigar facto-
ries
11
100
60,000
270,000
Saddleries and
harness . . .
8
30
50,000
150,000
Upderwear fac¬
150
100,000
tories
3
175,000
Marble and
granite
works
5
66
40,000
75,000
Soda water,
etc .. .. .. ..
22
150
70,000
650,000
Ice cream fac¬
tories
10
30
20,000
125,000
Contractors and
builders . . .
70
600
400,000
1,000,000
Men's cloth¬
ing
11
90
60,000
250,000
Locks, gunsmiths
and bicycles
12
55
60,000
125,000
Watches and
clocks
19
50
40,000
70,000
Barrel facto¬
ries
1
123
225,000
150,009
Cabinet makers
and u p h o 1
-
sters
27
140
100,000
150,000
Dyers and clean¬
ers
8
20
5,000
40,000
Proprietary es¬
tablishments. :
35
170
75,000
150,000
Mattress facto¬
ries
1
35
20,000
75,000
Cotton ties,
etc
3
20
10,000
25,000
Soap and can¬
dle facto¬
ries
1
15
25,000
60,000
Water-works .
1
10
700,000
75,000
Cider and vine¬
gar
3
15
15,000
35,000
Lead factories
1
10
40,000
117,000
Oil refineries
1
5
20,000
325,000
Sail and awning
makers
2
25
40,000
70,000
Sash and blind
factories . .
5
320
350,000
850,000
Cotton and wool
pickeries . .
1
15
10,000
30,000
Basket and ve¬
neer works .
1
250
75,000
56,000
Knitting facto¬
ries
1
40
25,000
30,000
Totals 403 6,847 $11,905,000 $16,226,000
CHA ItLESTON'S W HOLES ALE TRADE
Lamentations and Evil Predictions of
Croakers Discredited by the Facts as Re¬
ported by Leading; Merchants.
If one listened to the croakers only, he
could arrive at but one conclusion, viz,
that the year just closed has been a hor¬
ribly dull one in Charleston and that the
8
old city is drying up and going to the
dogs at a yearly accelerated speed, and
the croakers are so numerous that the
man who has not the interest or the time
to look into* the facte is very apt to adopt
their gloomy opinion. It will, therefore,
be an agreeable surprise to many to read
the encouraging returns of our most prom¬
inent and successful business men in va¬
rious lines of trade as to> what has been
accomplished in their respective depart¬
ments during the commercial year just
closed.
In our last annual review of the trade
of Charleston we said: "While the busi¬
ness year just closed, so far as it concerns
the jobbers of Charleston, has not been
brilliant in its results, it has, neverthe¬
less, from a common sense standpoint
been to a certain degree satisfactory and
encouraging. In a universal lowering of
prices and settling down to new conditions,
the year has been marked by few failures
and by a gradual recovery of old territo¬
ry in some lines of business, and the ac¬
quisition of new territory in others, so
that while the profits made have probably
not been so great as last year, the vol¬
ume of trade, even measured by its money
value, is nearly equal to last year, while
in the bulk of articles traded in it has
been larger. The year, we think, marks
what may be regarded as the slack-water
of the receding tide of trade, and in the
coming year there is good reason to ex¬
pect the beginning of another period of
gradually increasing and more profitable
business." The reports that we give be¬
low, founded on consultations with lead¬
ing merchants, fully sustain the predic¬
tions thus made:
HARDWARE.
The season of 1895, following a series of
depressing years, opened with more
cheering features than were anticipated
or even hoped for. Interior stocks were
light and lines broken, values had ad¬
vanced to a point that necessitated no
sudden change, and an opportunity given
t.o place orders without the fear and dis¬
appointment of buying on a falling mar¬
ket. Trade recognized the advantage of
increased values and cheerfully acceded to
all advances asked, feeling the increased
price of the new added value to the old
and the entire stock lower than ruling
rates, an unrealized profit being had in
the general average of cost. While no re¬
luctance was shown to purchase none
bought largely or recklessly, and, al¬
though neglecting no line, the quantities
of each were small and entirely inade¬
quate to supply the demand. Merchants
found out early that their caution was un¬
necessary, as trade was unusually good,
and as a consequence they purchased
again, making business improve rapidly
and kept dealers busy during the entire
year.
The advance in prices, while very ac¬
ceptable, brought vexatious delays in re¬
ceiving many staple and much needed
goods. Orders for these being placed be¬
fore the advance manufacturers shipped
early from stocks on hand and only par¬
tially Allied many orders, and having con¬
stant demands at a material advance
quietly ignored unfilled contracts and ap¬
plied their products to more profitable
though more recent orders. There being
an active demand and absolute scarcity of
many seasonable goods, caused a good
deal of disappointment alike to merchant
and consumer.
There is probably no business more
hampered and controlled by combinations
and trusts than hardware, and however
reluctant the jobber is to place orders
there is no alternative left but buying of
them. Not only prices and terms of pur¬
chase, but also those of sale, are imperi¬
ously dictated and any deviation from
one or the other is equivalent to non-ob-
tainance of goods, as those manufactur¬
ers who are out of the "Association," as
the trust or combine styles itself, furnish
too small a percentage of the total out¬
put to be depended on to supply a mod¬
erately large or unusual demand.
It is a pleasure to note that orders al¬
ready received are considerably larger
than those of several years past, and this
increase seems to be general, showing
that no special part of the country is un¬
usually favored and none even doubtful
that customers' wants will require all
that an enterprising and progressive mer¬
chant desires to offer. The failure of the
truck and fruit crops, while disastrous to
many, has been a disappointment to all,
and as a result the scarcity of money at
this season is a serious menace to many
who depend largely upon these sources
of supply to continue planting operations.
All other crops are abundant and there
is every reason to believe that the next
money value of both cotton and provi¬
sions will be an agreeable surprise to
many.
Commercial relations with North Caro¬
lina were most gratifying during the year
and the volume of business largely in¬
creased. Georgia continued her friendly
patronage and her merchants now are
among the most responsible and valued
customers. Florida is slowly recovering
from the disastrous effects of the blizzard
that laid so many millions of her hard-
earned capital in an icy tomb, but the
hope is indulged that this season will re¬
cord the largest business ever done in
this line with the Land of Flowers.
We look forward with unshaken con¬
fidence, based on the past and the pres¬
ent, to an unusually large business this
year despite the moss-covered assertion
that a Presidential year is an off business
year, and feel confident that this will be
a refutation of the time-honored super¬
stition and its continuance and close be
as bright as its opening.
A reasonable estimate of the year's busi¬
ness would be near, say: For wholesale,
$1,550,000; for retail, $290,000.
DOORS, SASH AND BLINDS.
Our trade in this line continues to reach
into new fields, and during the past year
a number of orders for the African export
business have been filled. It is also
worthy of note that large orders have been
filled for doors, sashes, blinds and other
material for buildings in course of con¬
struction in New York and Philadelphia,
9
one mill alone having- filled contracts for
forty new residences in Philadelphia.
Southern pine and cypress, and particu¬
larly the latter wood, are becoming better
and more favorably known each year, and
are now frequently being specified by
architects North, West and abroad. The
intrinsic merits of these woods need only
to be understood in order to be fully ap¬
preciated. They far surpass white pine,
Washington cedar, redwood or poplar, (all
of which nave long enjoyed a monopoly
in this manufacture,) and when once in¬
troduced in any given locality seldom fail
to obtain a firm foothold there.
There is no doubt at all that this section
is destined to become, and at no far dis¬
tant day, the headquarters for the manu¬
facture of sash and doors and general
mill work in the United States. All the
conditions point to such a. consummation.
The Northern and Western white pine
forests are on the verge of exhaustion.
The supply of Washington cedar is quite
small. Redwood is becoming too dear for
general use, and poplar is getting scarcer
and higher in price almost daily, as the
available timber is being rapidly con¬
sumed.
The yellow pine forests of the South are
practically inexhaustible, and experts
have declared that there is now more cy¬
press standing in the river bottoms,
swamps and bayous than there was ever
yellow pine!. And, besides this, cypress
renews itself. A swamp cut over to-day
will be ready for cutting and yield just
as good timber again twenty-five or thir¬
ty years hence—and. will thus continue in¬
definitely. It is, therefore, absolutely im¬
possible to exhaust the cypress supply;
and in this respect cypress is unique, for,
as is well known to all versed in timber-
craft, where a pine forest is cut away oak
(usually "Black Jack") takes its place,
and vice versa. This is not the case with
cypress; and in the possession of this tim¬
ber we have an heritage more precious
than rubies, and one which will always
stand us in good stead, even though "16
to 1 or bust" should prevail.
The sales were $300,000.
CLOTHING.
The year's business has been particu¬
larly satisfactory in clothing. The im¬
proved financial conditions existing
throughout the State has brought about
quite an active business in this line and
promises an increase for the present fall
season. Prices are about 10 per cent less
than last year, but with the prospect of
protection or free silver in the next Ad¬
ministration prices will necessarily be
considerably increased. Increase in whole¬
sale trade this year as compared to last
is about 40 per cent.
While the increase in the volume of the
retail clothing trade has not been so great
as in the wholesale trade, there not being
the same opportunity for increase of ter¬
ritory, the business has no doubt been
profitable to a very satisfactory degree.
One of the leading houses has nearly com¬
pleted a mammoth building for the ac¬
commodation of its increasing business;
another will soon move into large and
more commodious and attractive quarters,
while a third has absorbed the business of
a large and successful men's furnishing
establishment.
DRY GOODS.
In closing our report of the dry goods
trade last year we said: "During the last
two months a reaction has taken place,
values have stiffened, and the prospects
for the coming year are favorable." This
forecast has been fully verified by the
results of the business year just closed,
and with good prices for cotton and to¬
bacco, and fair crops of all the staple
productions of the State, it is fair to pre¬
dict another prosperous trade year, pro¬
vided absurd political and financial ex¬
periments do not involve the whole coun¬
try in disaster. Charleston has covered
some new territory this year, has thor¬
oughly worked her old territory and the
increase of the volume of sales over last
year, which was a very bad year, may be
put at 20 per cent at a very modest and
conservative estimate.
BOOTS AND SHOES.
This branch of business shows an in¬
crease in the past year. New houses have
sprung up in the jobbing trade, and with
renewed activity all along the line
Charleston to-day is selling more shoes,
and in a much larger territory, than for
several years past. High prices necessarily
cut off sales in the spring, but this was
more than overbalanced by the unusual
large sales this fall, caused by prices de¬
clining to old figures. With favorable sur¬
roundings we see no reason why the trade
should not increase in this special line.
GROCERIES.
This is of course, both in its wholesale
and retail departments, in many respects
the largest and most important branch of
the trade of Charleston, as it takes more
money to supply the craving for eating
and drinking than any other of man's
bodily wants. A very large and important
portion of this trade was destroyed by the
dispensary law, which has forced cus¬
tomers to go out of the State to supply
their wants, but the grocery trade still
holds its position at the head of the list
in the volume of business transacted.
There has been a larger volume of trade
during the past year and the year's busi¬
ness has been satisfactory. The prospects
for a very large fall business is encour¬
aging. The sales for the year are esti¬
mated at: Wholesale, $13,500,000; retail,
$3,000,000.
PAINTS AND OILS.
There has been a slight falling off in
the paint and ceil business for the year.
Up to the early spring business had been
exceedingly good in all branches, but after
that, owing to the unseasonable weather,
bad crop reports, and the usual excitement
attending an election year, it has been
affected somewhat, and the business has
decreased about $50,000. The interior busi¬
ness had been remarkably good up to the
time stated above. Just what effect the
election will have on trade in general we
are not prepared to state, but it certainly
has affected every branch of business at
present. We think as a rule the farmers
are in a very fair condition and were it
:io
not for the election excitement the season
would be a prosperous one.
FRUIT.
The importations of foreign fruit for the
year just closed largely exceeded those of
the preceding year and notwithstanding
tlie general depression in business the
trade kept up much later in the season
than usual. Prices ruled low, as was the
case in all lines of goods, but the qual¬
ity was fully up to anything ever imported
into our market.
The absence of Florida oranges greatly
influenced the demand for other fruits of
a tropical character, and will doubtless
have considerable bearing for some sea¬
sons to come.
The sales for the year have been 48,917
bunches of bananas, 1,190,800 oranges, 425,-
448 cocoanuts and 2,784 pineapples. Prices
ruled lower than for some years past.
The value was about $100,000.
In domestic fruit the crops of apples,
pears, grapes, etc, were unusually large
and business in all of these lines was
very Hctive.
Total value about $150,000.
FURNITURE.
Merchants in this line do not claim any
improvement in business, but they do not
acknowledge any falling off in the volume
of transactions, and the average rate of
profit holds its own.
The furniture trade has been somewhat
quiet during the past year, but it must
be confessed that the merchants of
Charleston in this line have nothing to
complain of when they compare their sales
and their city with the business done in
their line in places of similar size in other
parts of the country, either North or
South.
The amount of furniture sold at retail
in Charleston during the year will reach
at least $500,000, and the wholesale, at the
lowest estimate, $150,000.
ICE.
The price of ice has been advanced a
little at the beginnning of the season, and
the same prices have prevailed in Charles¬
ton during the "torrid wave" as previous
thereto, and the prices in this city for ice
have been lower than any other city in
the country south of Boston, Mass.
The wholesale sales for the twelve
months have been $20,000 and retail sales
were $25,000—a total of $45,000.
HAY AND GRAIN.
Charleston dealers in food for live stock
have not yet suffered from the heavy blow
that has already fallen upon their line of
business in one after another city of the
country, until Charleston is left almost
entirely alone in its exemption. We allude
of course to the substitution of cable and
electric cars for horse cars, which has
decreased the demand for horse feed
throughout the country by many million
dollars. But the bicycle has taken pos¬
session of our city, and the - disuse of
horses on that account is a matter of no
small moment. For that and other rea¬
sons the decrease of sales in this line has
been about 10 per cent. Sale of Eastern
hay was greatly affected by the high price
1 of hay in Boston, making it unprofitable
I to buy for sale in this market.
JEWELRY.
From the very nature of this trade it is
a good barometer of the prosperity of the
community—for most of the articles in
which it deals are luxuries rather than
necessities, and this trade is therefore the
first to feel a change in the condition of
the people, whether it be for better or
for worse. According to this barometer
the mercury of prosperity has neither
risen nor fallen in Charleston during the
year just closed, the volume of the jew¬
elry trade, as far as we have been able
to estimate it, being the same as it was
last year.
DRUGS.
There has been no epidemic of disease
nor any other special cause during the
year for an increase of the retail drug
business in this.city, and considering com¬
petition of other and larger markets, and
the unfavorable condition of railroad rates
into the interior, the drummers of our
wholesale houses deserve credit for main¬
taining the volume of wholesale business
at its last year standard.
HATS AND CAPS.
The reports from this branch of the
jobbing trade of Charleston are highly
encouraging. For the first time in a num¬
ber of years we are called upon to record
an increase in the volume of business, no
doubt due to pushing the trade into new
and unaccustomed territory. The increase
has reached the very gratifying propor¬
tions of 25 per cent, and merchants in this
department of the jobbing trade are to
be highly congratulated. The retail hat
business has gradually ceased to be a
distinct branch of business, i. e., con¬
ducted by houses exclusively devoted to
that line, hats and caps being sold by
dealers in ready-made clothing, men's
furnishing goods. The retail business in
hats, however, is fully as large as here¬
tofore, although conducted in a different
manner, and while it is, of course, almost
impossible to get accurate reports of
their sales distinct from the other busi¬
ness of the houses engaged in this line,
we feel fully justified in repeating last
year's estimate.
SADDLERY, HARNESS, ETC.
This line of business continues to hold
its own and retains its custom in the inte¬
rior and to supply the wants of the city
despite the determined efforts of New
York, Baltimore and other larger mar¬
kets to intrude upon their territory. One
of the leading houses in the business has
gone into new and stronger hands, and
the outlook for the future, barring the
silver cloud that overhangs all business,
may be regarded as fairly favorable.
FISH AND OYSTERS.
The trade in fish and oysters is one in
which Charleston very naturally leads,
being directly on the coast, in the vicin¬
ity of some of the finest fishing grounds
and best oyster beds in the world, the
Charleston oyster being of a better flavor
and more convenient size than those
11
to be found elsewhere, and the fish being
of great variety and some of the species
of very superior flavor. Savannah and
Wilmington are on rivers, but Charles¬
ton is on the sea. The largest trade in
fish caught in Charleston waters is in
black fish, the catch of which is very ex¬
tensive, and large quantities of which are
sent to the interior, and to New York,
Philadelphia, Baltimore and Boston. Shad
are brought from the Edisto, Cape Fear
and Savannah rivers, drum fish from
Beaufort, Pompanos, Spanish mackerel
and bass from the cities on the Gulf coast
of Florida. Much enterprise and good
management are manifested in th^ con¬
duct of the fish business in Charleston,
and in consequence it is successful and
profitable. The large houses are en¬
gaged in the business of shipping fish,
oysters and terrapins from Charleston to
the interior and the North, and neither
seems inclined to furnish any informa¬
tion as to its business. From other
sources, however, it is learned that the
business is being pushed for all it is
worth, and that an increase of 10 per cent
over the trade of last year is not an ex¬
travagant estimate.
TOBACCO.
The tobacco trade of Charleston for the
year just closed is a great improvement
over last, for the wholesale trade has in¬
creased fully 20 per cent, and no doubt
the retail merchants have held their own,
and all are looking forward to a still bet¬
ter condition of the market. The plant¬
ing of tobacco has increased a good deal,
and all the reports from the country are
very satisfactory. There is no doubt the
present crop of the weed will help our
farming interest. Tobacco raised in South
Carolina is harvested much sooner than in
North Carolina and Virginia. This indus¬
try in connection, with cotton is bound to
place our farmers on a solid financial con¬
dition, and they all speak very hopefully
this year, and their success certainly
means more business for the merchants.
STATIONERY.
One of the largest houses in this busi¬
ness collapsed just at the close of the
year, but the failure is not supposed to
be due to any tack in the volume of ' rade,
which, taking all the houses in the busi¬
ness together, was probably as large if not
larger than last year.
CROCKERY.
The events of the year have fully justi¬
fied the following prediction with which
we closed our last year's review of the
crockery trade:
"The darkest sky, however, is just before
the dawn, and there has been a great
brightening of prospects and greatly in¬
creased sales in the last few months. The
old drummers are all out, new ones have
been employed, and so great has been the
impetus given to trade by the return of
confidence throughout the country that
we feel justified in retaining our last year's
estimates of the total trade, and making
the prediction that the figures will be ma¬
terially increased for the coming year."
The increased prosperity of the agricultu¬
ral community due to the better price of
cotton and the increased production of ar¬
ticles for home consumption has been re¬
flected in the increased demands of the in¬
terior, and the volume of wholesale trade
was increased about 20 per cent. The re¬
tail trade remains about the the same.
Total Sales 1895-96.
The following table shows the wholesale
and retail trade of Charleston for the
year ending August 31, 1896:
Whole-
Sell© Retail Total
Groceries $13,500,000 $3,000,000* $16,500,000
Grain, hay .. .. 400,000 450,000 850,000
Dry goods 3,000,000 1,700,000 4,700,000
Boots, shoes .. 1,200,000 300,000 1,500,000
Hats, caps 80,000 140,000 220,000
Tobacco 700,000 100,000 800,000
Drugs and med-
cines 450,000 300,000 750,000
Hardware .. .. 1,550,000 290,000 1,840,000
Crockery 200,000 50,000 250,000
Paints and oils 350,000 130,000 480,000
Saddlery, etc .. 80,000 40,000 120,000
Stationery .. .. 300,000 125,000 425,000
Furniture .. .. 160,000 500,000 750,000
Doors, sash and
blinds 300,000 300,000
Clothing 580,000 300,000 880,000
Fruit 150,000 150,000
Ice 20,000 25,000 45,000
Fish, oysters... 35,000 30,000 65,000
Jewelry 230,000 230,000
Total
.$22,045,000 $7,710,000 $29,855,000
Comparative Sales.
The following table shows at a glance
the comparative sales in the different
branches of trade for the past three
years:
1895-96 1894-95 189^-94
Groceries .. . .$16,500,000 $16,000,000 $17,000,000
Grain, hay . . 850,000 950,000 1,000,000
Dry goods .. .. 4,700,000 4,120,000 4,400,000
Boots, shoes .. 1,500,000 1,500,000 1,560,000
Hats, caps . .. 220,000 220,000 220,000
Tobacco 800,000 700,000 700,000
Drugs and med-
cines 750,000 750,000 875,000
PI a rd ware . .. 1,840,000 1,480,000 1,800,000
Crockery .. .. 250,000 250,000 250,000
Paints and oils 480,000 530,000 530,000
Saddlery, etc . 120,000 120,000 120,000
Stationery . .. 425,000 425,000 485,000
Furniture .. .. 750,000 650,000 425,000
Doors, sash and
blinds 300,000 325,000 325,000
Clothing 880,000 710,000 640,000
Fruit 150,000 100,000 125,000
Ice 45,000 37,000 32,000
Fish, oysters . 65,000 62,000 62,900
Jewelry 230,000 230,000 210,000
Totals
.$29,855,000 29,159,900 $30,759,900
PHOSPHATES ANI) FERTILIZERS.
Tlie Year's Business at the Mines and
Among the Manufacturers.
The following report of' the trade in
phosphate rock and commercial fertilizers
was prepared by Major E. Willis, of this
city, a recognized expert in such matters:
The variety and extent of the phosphates
of America are practically without limit.
1
2
These phosphates are known in the trade
as Carolina river and land rock, Florida
hard rock and pebble and Tennessee black
rock, each of which kind possesses its
own peculiar advantages.
The prices for the three kinds of Amer¬
ican rock have been very low during' the
year, and it is questionable if any money
has been made by the phosphate miners
in any section of this country. If, how¬
ever, any of the miners have succeeded,
those of South Carolina may be regarded
as the exception. They occupy a partic¬
ularly advantageous position because of
the very low freight rates which they have
secured, which has enabled them to de¬
liver their product either to the railroads
for local manufacture or to vessels for
foreign or domestic shipment. It is on
account of the unrivalled advantages en¬
joyed by the miners of this State, in the
respect noted, that they should be enabled
to mine and sell cheaper than the miners
in any other part of the United States.
The best informed French journals say
that it takes 30 francs to pay the cost of
mining and delivering Algerian rock at
port, besides the royalty of 2 francs ex¬
acted by the Algerian Government, mak¬
ing altogether more than $6 a ton. This,
of course, puts the Algerian rock out of
the competition either with Carolina or
Florida rock. Dry rock here can be de¬
livered at port at $3 25 and river rock at
even a less price. These prices would
permit our miners to sell to United King¬
dom ports, with the low foreign rates
which we obtain, with a fair prospect of
beating the competition of the world.
More rock has been mined and more
fertilizers sold during the past year than
In 1894-95. The needs of the country are
greater and commercial fertilizers have
become a necessity to the modern farmer.
The miners have acted with great con¬
servatism during the past year; they have
been in such a condition that they could
afford to shut down operations, arguing
that it costs nothing for the rock to re¬
main in the beds undisturbed. The min¬
ing operations at present are not being
pushed with great energy, and particular¬
ly in Florida. In South Carolina the pro¬
duct is limited to the demand, and the
miners are not accumulating stock. In
Tennessee the mining companies are few
in number, and their operations are con¬
tracted. This should result in higher
prices. It is confidently expected that
during the new year business will be
greatly expanded and that it will be con¬
ducted under a new and better system.
During the past year the phosphate
mining business has suffered in common
with all branches of industrial enterprises
from the great depression which has ob¬
tained throughout the country. The out¬
put has been limited and the investments
in phosphate territory have been small.
Despite the unfavorable conditions, how¬
ever, a number of new companies have
been organized for mining rock, of which
the following is a list:
Duck River Company, Tottey's Bend,
Nashville.
Southwestern Phosphate Company, Fall
Branch, Aetna.
Tennessee Phosphate Company, Swan
Creek, Baltimore.
Swan Creek Company, Swan Creek,
Nashville.
Standard Company, Blue Buck Falls,
Centreville.
Hickman Phosphate Company, Swan
Creek.
Lewis Phosphate Company, Summer-
ton.
The last three companies noted in the
list have never made any shipments of
rock.
It may interest some to have a complete
list of land and river phosphate mining
companies in South Carolina. The fol¬
lowing includes the names of all the river
and land mining companies.
LAND COMPANIES.
Charleston Mining and Manufacturing
Company, Charleston.
Col W. M. Wallace.
C. C. Pinckney, Jr, Charleston.
Charles H. Drayton, Charleston.
Rose Mining Company, Drayton's S. C.
Wm L. Bradley, Charleston.
St. Andrews Mines, Charleston, F. G.
Latham.'
Bolton Mines. Charleston.
Horseshoe Mines, Jacksonboro, C. C.
Pinckney, Jr.
Palmetto Mines, Charleston,
Pon-Pon Mines, Jacksonboro, Wm Cat-
let.
Bear Swamp Mines, Charleston.
Archdale Company, Charleston.
St Helena Company, Coosaw, S. C., G.
W. Roberts.
C. McK. Grant, Liberty Hall, Charles¬
ton.
RIVER COMPANIES.
Coosaw Company, Beaufort, M. E. Lo¬
pez.
Farmers' Company, C. C. Pinckney, Jr.
Beaufort Phosphate Company, Beaufort.
W. Y. Fripp Company, Beaufort.
James Reed Company, Beaufort.
E. M. Seabrook Company, Beaufort.
J. C. Nelson, Charleston.
James O'Hear, Charleston.
John Hanson, Charleston.
CAROLINA ROCK,
occurs all along the margins of our naviga¬
ble streams and in the river beds, is con¬
venient to the main lines of railroads, and
can be mined quickly and delivered cheap¬
ly alongside steam and sailing vessels for
shipment abroad, and be quickly and
cheaply loaded on cars for local consump¬
tion.
PHOSPHATE ROCK.
Shipment of South Carolina rock to foreign
and domestic ports:
From Charleston—
1895. Foreign. Domestic.
September ... 8,000
October 2.150 16,100
November 11,670
December 13,905
1896.
January. It,826
February 90 6,432
March 14,023
April 9.457
May 9,362
June 9,969
July 8,025
August 8,010
Tola 1 2,240 126,779
13
From Beaufort—
1895. Foreign. Domestic.
September 8,360 ....
October 10.974
Novembei 9,076 327
December 2,200 ....
1896.
January 3,760 1,185
February 7.351 1,174
March 5,127 1,525
April 11.412
May 2.582 833
June 5.777
Ju)> 9,197 ....
August 6,560
Total 82,376 5,044
Shipments to Domestic Ports from Charies-
t0D' 1893-94. 1894-95 1895-96.
September 5.521 5,083 8,000
October 11,028 10,521 15,100
November 12,035 5.897 11,670
December 12,479 13,264 12,905
January 11,970 6.576 11,826
February 11,095 8.015 6,432
March 10.076 10.863 12,023
April.. 14,152 9,851 8,457
May 11,616 33,541 8.362
June 12,454 10.393 8.951
July 8.001 9.834 7,025
August 9,563 9,000 8,010
Total 129,989 112,838 118,761
CRUDE ROCK, COASTWISE.
1894-95.
Destination. Crude. Gro'd.
Baltimore 29,127
Philadelphia 11575
Boston...
Elizabethport
Wilmington, Del.
Barren Island
New York
Mantua Creek....
Weymouth
Richmond, Ya...
Seaford, Del
New Town Creek.
W ilmington,N. C.
1,075
2,200
6.676
1,73"
15 312
9 721
626
2 430
1 ,*80
1895-96.
/ ' —
Crude. Gro'd
26.014
10,300
2.130
8,075
6,210
614
8,267
1 560
8,">50
16,688
1,177
2 Oif
6,0
Other ports 3o,486 2 000 29,176
Total 112,838 2 000 118,761 8,018
Total crude and ground, 126,779 ton-.
Crude and Ground, Consolidated.
1893-94. 1894-95. 1895-96.
Baltimore 57,740 29,127 26,014
Philadelphia 16,300 11,575 10,300
Boston 893 1,075 2,130
Elizabethport 8H5 8,075
Wilmington, Del... 1,984 2,200 6,210
Barren Island -14
New York 12.000 8,176 10,267
Mantua Creek 3,600 1,730 1,560
Weymouth 13,K»,0 15,312 8,550
Richmond 9,500 9,721 22,706
Seaford 600 626 1,177
New Town Creek... 1,400 2,430
Wilmington, N. C.. 1,200 1,880
Welsh's Point
Orient
Other ports 18,000
30,986 29,176
Total 137,882 114,838 126,779
Domestic Ports.
The following table shows the shipments of
phosphate rock from Charleston to coastwise
ending August 31,1894,1895, 1896 :
Crude and Gronnd.
1893-94.
1894-95.
1895-96
September..
5,883
8,000
October
11,028
11,236
16.100
November..
13,035
5,897
11,670
December..
12,479
13,264
13,905
January
12,970
6,576
11.826
February...
12,095
8,015
6,432
M^reh
12.076
11,561
14 023
April
14,152
9,941
9,457
May
11,616
13,54»
9,362
June
13,454
10,557
9.969
July
9,894
10,138
8,025
August :
9,562
8,201
*,010
Over railroads.... 49,492
34,000
71,808
Totals .
187,374
148,810
198,587
Foreign Ports.
The following table shows the shipment of
phosphate rock from Charleston to foreign
ports for the years ending August 31, 1894,
1895, 1896:
1893-94. 1894-95. 1895-96.
September
October 2.150
November
December ....
January
February 75 1.980 90
March 375
April 90
May 2.10J 2.195
June 3,30 u
July 10,242
August
7,940
2,240
Total 12.417
Foreign Shipments from Beaufort.
The total shipments of river rock from
Beaufort, by months, for the past three years
will be found in the following table:
1893-94. 1894-95 1895-96.
September 5,00 > 3,843 8,630
October 10,630 10,974
November 9,808 9,076
December 2,430 9,625 2,200
January 2.9oO 14,115 3.760
February 8.763 12,630 7,351
March 4,500 10,023 5,127
April 17 480 2,128 11.412
May 3.450 10,270 2,582
June 11.378 9,996 5.' 77
July 12,158 13.989 9,497
August 14,394 10,388 6,560
Total 82,458 117,445 82,376
Beaufort—1893-94.
Foreign. Domestic.
Tons. Tons.
September . 5,005 993
October 1,632
November 2,775
December 2.430 1.856
January 2.900 4.572
February 8.763 3,456
March 4,500 1,680
April 17,480 2.071
May 3.450 2.253
June 11,378 4.061
July 12.158 1.3'>0
August 14,394 2,^01
Total 82,458
29,450
14
Beaufort—1894-5.
Foreign. Domestic.
Tons. Tons.
September 3.843 1,920
October 10,630 1,317
November 9,808 2,282
December 9,625 1,445
January 14.115 2,411
February 12.630 1,783
March . 10.023
April 2,128
May 10,270 90 8
June 9,996 1,769
July 13,989 1,667
August 10.388 1,650
Total 117,445 17,152
Recapitulation—1893-94.
Charleston-
Foreign 12,417
Coastwise 137.882
Interior 49.492
Consumed 140,000
.339,791
Total
Beaufort-
Foreign 82,458
Coastwise 29,450
Interior 12,500
Consumed 12,000
Total.
136,408
Charleston. Beaufort.
Foreign 12,417
Coastwise 137,882
Interior 49,492
Consumed 140,000
Grand total.
339,791
82,458
29.450
12,500
12,000
136,408
.475,199
Recapitulation-1894-95.
Charleston. Beaufort.
Foreign 7,940
Coastwise 114.838
Interior 34,000
Consumed 120,000
117.445
17.152
9.000
11,000
Grand total.
276,778 154,597
Tons.. 431,375
Recapitulation—1895-96.
Charleston.
Tors.
Foreign 2.240
Coast wise 126,779
Interior 71 808
Consumed 130,000
Beaufort
Tone.7
82 376
5.044
11,800
15,000
Total 330,827 114,220
Grand total tons....445 04
FLORIDA ROCK.
The rock deposits in Florida are found
in nearly every part of that State. The
hard, high grade rock is confined to the
north, central and western part of the
State. The pebble rock is to be found in
the old and new river beds. The character
of the rock is of as high grade and of va¬
rious quality as that to be found any¬
where else. It is difficult to handle, how¬
ever, because so large a part of the de¬
posits is situated at remote points and
great distances from the ports.
The pebble mines in Florida are in good
condition and have been operated steadily
without regard to the good and bad prices
which have prevailed, and have found a
market for their product without over¬
production.
The hard rock of Florida is of a high
grade. The combination which has been
formed to control the output has exerted
a good influence on the business and
checked many abuses which threatened
disaster. The buyers for foreign houses
obtained some advantages during the sea¬
son and secured some very cheap goods.
The hard rock mining companies have not
done so well as had been expected, and the
shipments of rock during the past year
were mostly made, it is stated, from old
stock which had been carried over from
the previous year. The output of the past
year was not large. It is very unfortunate
for the trade that the Phosphate Com¬
pany of France, which has expended vast
sums of money in new enterprises in
Florida, should have been embarrassed by
the course of business, but the investors
in Floirida mining property, and particu¬
larly the capitalists of Paris, who have
invested more largely in the Florida de¬
posits than in Algiers and Tunis, have
great faith in the ultimate outcome of
their enterprise. This is evidenced by the
recent organization in France of the Com-
pagnie Generale des Phosphates de
France, of which Paul Girard is president.
SHIPMENTS FROM FLORIDA IN 1895-96.
Brunswick, Ga— Foreign.
September 2,142
October 749
November
December 2,738
January— 2,075
February 2,808
March. .5,038
April 2,600
May 3,400
June 2,17'•
July 6,900
August 2 472
Total 31,092
Fernandina— Foreign.
September 16,670
October 14.587
November 8,000
December 3,883
January 7,143
February 7,400
March 21,050
April 16.241
May 21,728
June 5,543
July 6,200
August 11,720
Total 140,165
Domestic.
Punta Gorda—
September—
October
November. ..
December
January
February
March
April...
May
June
July
August
Foreign.
3,000
Domestic.
1,020
3,000
6,072
4,803
1,007
3,132
2,371
21,405
Domestic.
876
812
7,167
16,412
2,981
3.000
8,587
10,056
Total 46,015
1.905
1,846
837
144
5,083
3,398
1,229
2,531
17,849
15
Tampa—
September
October
November
December
J anuary «««......
February
March
April
May
tfone**** ■ ......
July
August
Foreign.
6,031
16,706
7,495
2,254
2,982
9,712
18.010
12,980
11,222
10,945
Domestic.
2.805
• •••••
7.148
6,334
5,099
7,3f3
9,540
6,916
• ••«••
3 164
Total 98,337
Savannah— Foreign.
September 2,275
October 8,559
November 10.556
December 3,156
January 2,106
February 4,370
March 8,517
April 6,006
May 12,250
June 4,430
July 2,156
August 3,200
48,309
Domestic.
Total 67,581
Jacksonville— Foreign.
September.
October
November
December
January
February
March
April ......
M*y
JuDe
July
August
Domestic.
688
» • • • •
20
Total.
ro8
The shipments to foreign and domestic ports
in 1894 95 were as follows:
Brunswick— Foreign. Domestic.
September 6,627
October 8.270
November 4,375
December 4,609
.'anuary
February 6,777
March 4,315
April 4,043
May 2,722
June
July
August
Total 41,738
Fernandina— Foreign.
September 9,126
October 3.070
November 1,880
December 6 720
January 7,425
February
March 13,293
April 29,340
May 15,895
June 21,636
July 7,490
August
Domestic.
880
Total 115,875
1.775
1,909
965
5,469
Punta Gorda— Foreign.
September .... 6,560
October 5,248
November
December 2 950
January 2,398
February
March 12,846
April 5,587
May.....
June 7,364
July 16,690
August 13,430
Total 73,073
Tampa— Foreign.
September .. .. 17,234
October 14,606
November
December 5,811
January 10,500
February 13.775
March 14.100
April 6,300
May 13,485
June 7,033
July 17.206
August 9,140
Domestic.
2,262
2,598
1,160
Total
.129,192
Savannah— Foreign.
September 3,104
October 3,088
November 5,353
December
January 5,644
February 4,100
March 3,961
April 5,972
May 18,418
June 4,628
July 8,509
August 5,lu0
••••••
1,224
2,825
1,020
11,089
Domestic.
1,125
3,598
2,281
3,861
2,800
#•••••
••••••
1,935
4,687
3,245
1,400
27,922
Domestic.
Total 67,877
Foreign. Domestic.
Jacksonville
September.
October
November.
Maren
Total,
1893-94. Recapitulation
Brunswick 60,592
Fernandina 166.308
Punta Gorda 97.462
Tampa 118.604
Savannah 33,325
Jacksonville
Railroads ... ....
Consumed
1,003
1,003
956
21,046
46,882
1.090
28,000
15.000
Total
476,291
112.884
Grand total...
...589,175
1894-95.
Foreign.
Domestic.
Bruoswick
••«•••
fernandina
...115,875
5,469
Punta Gorda
.... 73,073
11,089
Tampa
... L29.192
27,922
Savannah
.... 67,877
• •••••
Jacksonville....,
,... 1.003
• •••«•
Railroads
30,000
Consumed
13,000
Total
...428,398
87,480
Grand total 515,878
16
1895-96 Foreign. Domestic.
Brunswick 91,092
Fernardina 140,165 21.4*5
Punta Gorda 46 015 17.849
Tampa 98,937 48,309
Savanao 67 581
Jacksonville 708
Railroad 30,000
Consumtd 15,000
Total 383 189 133,271
Grand total 516,460
Character of rock snipped from Florida
from all ports 1888 to 1896:
Years. Hard River Land Soft Total
Rock. Pebble. Pebble. Rock. Tons.
1688 2.813 2,813
1889.. 25 7.755 7,780
1890.. 17.345 37.336 1,700 56,381
1891.. 88,342 79.265 2,925 10,784 181,316
1892..202.019 126.172 17,495 8 341 354,457
1893..245,851 116,325 61,281 7.0O0 430,437
1894..335,000 141.000 75,000 15,000 589,174
3895..305J 00 125 000 72 00j 12,8OO 515,878
1896..302,0C0 123.000 73,800 13.000 516,460
TENNESSEE ROCK.
The phosphate which has been discov¬
ered in the State of Tennessee during re¬
cent years is unlike either the Carolina
or Florida rock. In appearance it is dark¬
er, in color more dense, it does not need
washing nor grinding, but it is of a good
grade, and is found in the interior at re¬
mote distances from shipping points.
There is considerable expense in getting
it to market. The nearest water outlet
for the Tennessee rock is to be found at
Pensacola, a distance of about four hun¬
dred miles from the phosphate beds. Some
recent discoveries in Maury County, and
very good deposits in Cheatham County,
near Mount Pleasant, are spoken of as
presenting very encouraging indications.
The business, however, in Tennessee rock
during the year has not been extensive,
and the industry in that State has not so
far developed a great deal of life.
The following shows the shipments of
Tennessee rock during the last three
years: In 1894 there was shipped 17,500
tons; 1895 40,000 tons; 1896, from January
1 to July 31, 24,805 tons.
NORTH CAROLINA ROCK.
No new discoveries of phosphate rock
have been made in North Carolina since
those which were discovered near Castle
Haines, in Prince George County, at a
point near the Weldon Railroad. The
manufacturers in this State use a consid¬
erable quantity of the rock mined in
North Carolina, and are very good cus¬
tomers of the South Carolina miners. A
large quantity of fertilizers, as we have
already noted, are used by the North Car¬
olina farmers. The demand seems to be
increasing steadily.
CANADA.
As we have noted, the phosphate rock
of Florida and Tennessee is of a very
high grade and is used mainly for home
consumption. The rock from Algiers and
Tunis, which competes mainly for the
foreign business, has materially checked
the use of Canadian apatite in this coun¬
try and abroad. This depressing effect,
it is expected, will be permanent.
Shipments to U. S. ports. Europe.
Tons. Tons.
1890 1,903 24,154
1891 2,000 24,009
1892 17,234
1893 8,198
1894 8,993
1895 7,00«
1896 6,500
ALGIERS AND TUNIS.
The rock miners of Algiers and Tunis
are probably a great deal worse off to-day
than they have been at any time since
1895. The French Government has fixed
a royalty on the rock mined in these coun¬
tries of 2 francs, or about 50 cents of Amer¬
ican money. The same is required by the
State of Florida from the miners engaged
in business in that State. The French
Government are now considering the ques¬
tion of placing a duty of 8 francs per ton
on the product of the mines in Algiers and
Tunis. In 1894 the sales of Algeria and
Tunis rocks amounted to about 45,000 tons
at 50 francs; in 1895 to about 80,000 tons
at 40 francs. There is a demand, however,
for mining investments in these countries
as is indicatedby the organation of the
Compagnie Generale des Phosphate Al¬
geria and Tunis with a capital of 10,000,000
francs.
The total shipments from Constantine
and Tebessa were for 1894 about 53,234
tons; 1895 about 136,591 tons; 1896, January,
15,845 tons, February 14,340 tons, March
9,250 tons, April 16,347 tons, May 13,440 tons,
June 11,180 tons.
With this small showing and steady in¬
crease in the output of the Algerian mines
it is not improbable that Algeria will yet
become an important competitor with the
American miners in European markets.
The Algerian rock being low in iron and
aluminum, it is easy to work and with
the cheap ocean freights could compete
with any phosphate of the same grade.
Good business conditions and rigid econo¬
my, however, will be required to avert
disaster to many of the operators in Al¬
gerian mines during the next season.
Amount and Value Phosphate Rock Mined
in United States from 1890 to 1899.
From United States Geological Survey,
August 1, 1896. Col David T. Day, chief
of division:
1890. 1891. 1892.
Tons—rock . . . 510,499 587,988 981,571
Value $3,213,795 $3,651,150 $3,296,227
1893. 1894. 1895.
Tons—rock . . . 941,368 996,949 1,038,551
Value $4,136,070 $3,479,547 $3,606,094
The phosphate mines of this country are
the largest in the world, and more rock is
mined and exported, and more fertilizers
made here than in any other country. The
fertilizers are used mainly in making the
cotton crop, but are also used on all other
crops planted, and is fast taking the place
of labor and machinery. Millions of dol¬
lars are invested in phosphate and fer¬
tilizers, and employment is given to thou¬
sands. Good dividends are paid to share¬
holders. The world looks to us for its main
supply of phosphate.
17
Grand totals of phosphate rock:
Tennessee 25,000
North Carolina 7,000
South Carolina 445,047
Florida 516,460
Total tons 993,507
Total valuation $3,600,u00
Fertilizers.
In 1894-95 the fertilizer trade of this city
amounted to 160,000 tons, as against 316,611
tons the previous year. It was reasonable
to expect that there would be a large in¬
crease of this trade during the past year,
and for the purpose of directing the busi¬
ness in a satisfactory way an agreement
was made among the fertilizer companies
early in the season to control the output
and avoid, if possible, the disastrous ef¬
fects which would have followed overpro¬
duction. From some cause or causes, of
which we are not fully apprised, the
agreement did not result so satisfactorily
as it was hoped, and the aggregate busi¬
ness was not as large as conditions early
in the season seemed to promise. The fer¬
tilizer companies in the interior, almost
without exception, did well, sold their
product and made money, and are ready
for the business of the new season with
their resources well in hand. It is re¬
garded as a mistake in some quarters that
too many of the local companies have car¬
ried over stock which they should have
sold during the season. It must not be
inferred from this general statement,
however, that none of the local companies
did a good business during the year, for
some of them did remarkably well, paid
satisfactory dividends to their stockhold¬
ers and are in excellent shape for the busi¬
ness of the new year.
The prices during the season were so
low that many Northern parties bought
large quantities of acid phosphate instead
of crude rock, and as a consequence a
considerable business was done.
The following figures will show the last
four years' sales of fertilizers:
1893. 1894. 1895. 1896.
Port Royal ... 31,000 28,000 19,000 35,000
Savannah .. ..120,000 116,000 77,000 90,000
Charleston .. ..325,000 316,611 159,526 257,715
Tons 476,000 460,611 255,526 382,715
The fertilizer industry is not by any
means dead, nor is it likely to die. The
South will make a large crop of cotton
this year, estimated by some at 9,000,000
bales, and renewed activity in the busi¬
ness of manufacturing fertilizers will
surely return. There is an increased de¬
mand for commercial fertilizers, and par¬
ticularly for fertilizers of the grade man¬
ufactured by the mills in Charleston. The
progressive State of North Carolina ex¬
pended $2,500,000 for fertilizers during the
past year, a gain of more than 50 per cent
on the consumption for the year 1894-95
and of fully 30 per cent on the consump¬
tion of 1893-94.
Georgia is the heaviest consumer in the
Southern States of commercial fertilizers,
using 310,000 tons of this stuff, besides
25,000 tons of cotton seed meal. A large
quantity of fertilizers is manufactured in
Georgia, but the manufacturers and peo¬
ple of that State are good customers for
our acid phosphates and ammoniated
goods and for our unrivalled phosphate
rock.
A BIG THING FOR CHARLESTON.
The following is a list of the manufac¬
turing companies and their representa¬
tives in South Carolina:
Ashepoo Company, Robertson & Taylor,
Charleston.
Ashley Company, Edward Buist Simons,
Charleston.
Atlantic Company, George A. Wagener,
General Manager, Charleston.
Berkeley Company, W. B. Chisolm,
Charleston.
Chicora Company, George A. Wagener,
General Manager, Charleston.
Edisto Company, J. B. E. Sloan, Charles¬
ton.
Etiwan Company, E. Sloan, Charleston.
Imperial Company, G. W. Mclver,
Charleston.
Stono Company, E. H. Frost & Co,
Charleston.
Wando Company, C. Richardson,
Charleston,
Wappoo Mills, C. C. Pinckney, Jr,
Charleston.
Wilcox, Gibbs & Co, W. C. Macmurphy,
Charleston. ,
Read Company, Read & Co, Charles¬
ton.
Pacific Guano Company, shut down..
Cotton States Fertilizer Company, H. M.
Tucker, secretary.
Standard Fertilizer Company, T. M. War¬
ing.
Baldwin Fertilizer Company, Port Roy¬
al, S. C.
Columbia Fertilizer Company, Colum¬
bia, S. C.
Greenville Fertilizer Company, Green¬
ville, S. C.
Georgia. Chemical Works, Mr Catlett,
Jacksonboro.
Globe Fertilizer Company, Columbia,
S. C.
Anderson Fertilizer Company, J. J. Fret-
well, Anderson.
Darlington Fertilizer Company, Darling¬
ton, S. C.
Winnsboro Fertilizer Company, Winns-
boro, S. C.
Spartanburg Fertilizer Company, Spar¬
tanburg, S. C.
FERTILIZERS SHIPPED FROM
CHARLESTON.
S. C. N. E. C. &S. Steam.
R'd h.R. R1y ers.
1891-92. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons.
September 590 3.386 1,286
October 1.129 2.887 1,338
November.... 3.433 1.797 4,142 ....
December 9,539 3,487 5,506 63
January. 15.578 5,565 6.448 683
February 38.597 18,705 17,581 2,170
March 25,042 18.589 8,016 2,633
April 3,500 3,505 117 320
Mav 1.158 590 16 71
June . 1,070 1,127 443 80
July 521 1,140 300 55
August 267 1,600 130 78
Total . .1C0.424 62.378 45.373 6.163
Grand total 214.338
18
S. C. N. E. C. & S. Steam-
1892-93. R'd. R. R. R'y. ers.
Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons.
September 2,992 2,372 868 104
Oetober 3,674 2,348 186 13
November 2,102 690 821 41
December 8,286 1,277 4,111 55
January 40,353 15,395 18,962 869
February 52,558 25.057 36,701 1,956
MarCh 38,475 18,767 18,940 2,364
April 5,564 3.397 1,851 131
May 1,371 951 344 118
June 1,746 850 278 134
July 980 45 2,340 71
August 2,500 2,000 500 150
Total 160,601 73,149 85,902 6,006
Grand total 325,658
•S. C. N. E. C & S Steam-
1893-94. R. R. R. R. R'y ers.
Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons.
September.. 2,275 1,157 795 128
October 2,503 1,379 990 68
November.. 5.566 727 3.897 79
December.. 4,919 703 6,138 63
January.... 33.479 12,146 26.012 675
February... 49,486 23,748 39.117 1,783
March .... 31.116 20.882 16,381 2,096
April 6.108 3.927 4,620 217
May 1,332 1,309 854 34
June 2.508 181 1,207 132
July 580 200 2,000 94
Aug, asu'ed 2.500 175 250 55
Total 142,372 66,534 102,261 5,444
Grand total 316,611
S. C. N. E. C & S Steam-
1894-95. R. R. R. R. R'y. ers.
Tons Tons. Tons. Tons.
September.. 2.333 1,179 371 48
October 2 890 963 758 59
Novembel .. 2,566 777 2.085 48
December... 4.179 310 2.218 16
January.... 8,625 1,445 4.029 184
February.... 13.423 3.565 11,631 474
March 33.500 15,135 13,166 1,140
ADrll 8 839 6,637 3,882 681
May 1.316 417 1,219 30
June 663 325 600 ....
July 1,571 715 2.964
August 442 809 1,300 ....
Total 80,347 32,277 44.223 2.679
Grand total .159,526
S. C. N. E. C&S Steam-
1895-96. R.R. R. R. R'y. ers
Tons. Tons Tons, Tons.
September.. 4,055 425 114 43
October 2,904 523 1,339 67
November.. 3,198 238 2,203 111
December 951 5,659 134
January 28.892 7.993 18,465 670
February. .. 38 823 23,587 36.174 1,742
March 24,239 14,425 16,087 1.871
Aoril 4 000 2,413 4,148 367
May 652 435 231 39
June 254 386 110 12
Jnlv 1,442 93 51
August 1,500 250 600 ....
Total 110,259 51,719 85,181 5,056
Sail Vessels 5,500
10,556
Grand total 257,715
SHIPMENTS.
Tons. 1893. 1894. 1895. 1896.
Charleston..325.638 316.611 159,526 257,715
Port Royal.. 31,000 28.000 19,000 35,000
Savannah... 120,000 116,000 77,000 90,000
SALES.
Tons. 1893. 1894. 1895. 1896.
Charleston..325.658 316,611 159,526 257,715
Port Royal. 31.000 28,000 19,000 35,000
Savannah... 120,000 116,000 77,000 90,000
COMMERCIAL MANURES.
The following table shows how generally
throughout the entire country is dissemi¬
nated commercial manures and but little
made except from South Carolina or Flori¬
da rock as the basis, and that consumed
by Southern States, mainly used on cotton,
but in other sections used all the year
round on all character of crops, even on
grass, roses and flowers:
FERTILIZERS MANUFACTURED AND
CONSUMED IN THE U. S.
Manufactured:
1885 Tons.. 1,020.^00
1886 1.099.500
1887 °75/ 00
1688 990,000
188M 1,230 000
1890 1,250.000
1891 1.360.000
1892 1.365,000
1893 1,350,000
1894 1,600.000
1895 1,325,000
1896 1,510,000
Consumed:
1885 Tons.. 1,007.000
1886 1,016,631
1887 950.000
1888 • 975.500
1889 1,200.000
1890 1.195.000
1891 1.340.000
1892 1.07U.OOO
1893 1,225.000
1894 1 575.000
1895 1.128.000
1896 1.355,100
ESTIMATED CONSUMPTION OF FER¬
TILIZERS IN THE UNITED STATES.
1891. 1892 1893.
Tons. Tons. Tons.
Alabama 55,000 40.000 45,000
Florida 25,000 20,000 35.000
Georgia 230 000 175,OoO 280.000
South Carolina... 130.000 110,000 115,000
North Carolina... 105.000 90,000 90,000
Tennessee 35.000 30,000 35,000
Kentucky 20.000 15.000 20,000
Mississippi 15.000 10,000 15.000
Arkansas 10,000 10.000 15,000
Louisiana <5.«'00 10,000 25,000
Texas 10.00U 5,000 10,000
Virginia 80,000 55,000 50,000
West Virginia.... 30,« 00 25,000 25,000
N. E. States 120.000 100,000 105,000
W. States ko,00O 75,000 80.000
N. States 3-0.000 305,000 285.000
Total 1,340.000 1,070,000 1,2 5,000
19
1894.
1895.
1896.
Tons.
Tons.
Tons.
Alabama
80,000
60,000
75,000
Florida
. 50,000
4",000
50,000
Georgia
..290,000
200,000
310,000
South Carolina.
..150,000
100,000
140,000
North < Carolina.
,..125.000
90,000
100.000
Tennessee
40,000
30,000
35,000
Kentucky
25,000
20,000
25,000
Mississippi
25,000
20,1 00
25,000
Arkansas ,
20,000
15,000
20,000
Louisiana
25,000
18,000
25,000
Texas
15,000
10,000
20,000
Virginia
90,000
5u,000
50,000
West Virginia..
.. 30,000
21!,000
35.000
N. E. States... .
...120,000
1('0,000
100,000
W. States
125,000
» 00,000
125,000
N. States
365,000
255,000
220,000
Total
1,575.000
1.128,000
1,355,000
STATES
ACKii,/! < IE OF THE UNITED
PLANTED IN COTTON.
Year. Acres.
1888 19,781.000
1889 "! 20.173,OO.j
1890 20.910.000
1891 20.888.000
1892 18.362,000
1*93 19 701.000
1894 >0,107,247
1895 17,558.000
1896 20,150.000
Toe United S'atas Gev»-rnnoenf, reports or
acreage of cotton planted and the condition of
the growing crop would exert more influence
than they do, if different methods were used
in their distribution and if they were de¬
livered in all sections of the cotton belt at
the same time.
CHEMICAL^.
Chemicals for Charleston from 1st Sep¬
tember, 1895, to 1st September, 1898:
Tons.
Kainit 21.563
Sulphur 7 980
M. Potash 2.527
Pyrites 12.272
Fertilizers.
Nit Soda 799
Manure Salt 5t
Phosphates
Guano
Sul Potash 47
Sul Ore 13,700
Total Value.
$139 696
96.1(6
92 148
27,935
24.406
1,101
1.996
50.002
58,939 $433,400
COTTON IN CHARLESTON.
Decreased Receipts at the Ports—Higher
Prices Paid,
The receipts of cotton of all classes at
this port during the year just ending
were 306,708 bales. This is a falling off
from the receipts of the previous year,
which is accounted for by the small crop
made in the section we draw from, and
by the large demand of the domestic mills,
which kept prices above what exporters
could pay for it. The consumption of the
cotton mills in South Carolina alone is
nearly one-half of the crop grown in the
State.
Cotton opened in Charleston on Septem¬
ber 1, 1895, at IVz cents for Liverpool mid¬
dling. The highest point reached was on
October 16, 1895, when it touched 8% cents,
and the lowest point was in July, when
it was quoted at 6% cents.
RECEIPTS AT THIS PORT.
The receipts of cotton at
the past twenty-seven years
lows:
Bales.
1869-70 250,761 1883-84
1870-71 ...,.356,544 1884-85
1871-72 ....282,086 1885-86 .
1872-73 ....386,128 1886-87
1873-74 438,713 1887-88
1874-75 419,947 1888-89
1875-76 396,812 18°9-90
1876-77 455,677 1890-91
1877-78 429,292 1891-92
1878-79 502,995 1892-93
1879-80 467,597 1893-94
1880-81 628,187 1894-95
1881-82 502,394 1895-96
1882-83 568,207
COMPARATIVE EXPORTS. .
Comparative exports of upland cotton
from the port of Charleston from Septem¬
ber 1, 1895, to August 31, 1896, inclusive,
and for the same period in 1894-95:
Exported to 1895-96. 1894-95.
Liverpool 20,016 119,663
Havre 2,100
Continental ports 172,288 215,633
this port for
were as fol-
Bales.
,.428,301
,.512,039
,.505,168
,.400,346
..450,068
,.416,490
.349,828
,.557,744
,.511,399
,.306,449
, .407,843
..420,169
,.281,757
Total foreign ports .. ..192,304
New York 76,686
Philadelphia
Interior by rail 120
337,395
59,735
5,748
1,300
Total coastwise ports .. 76,806 66,783
Grand total 269,110 404,179
Receipts, exports, taken by city mill,
and stock upland cotton year ending Au¬
gust 31, 1896:
Stock on hand September 1, 1895 14,393
Received during the year 281,757
Total 296,150
Exports, foreign and domestic 269,110
Taken city mill 8,478
Stock on hand August 31, 1896 18,531
Total 296,119
PRICES AND RECEIPTS.
The following tables show the prices of
middling cotton at Charleston at the close
of each week for the past two years, to¬
gether with the total receipts of cotton
at Charleston each week in the same pe¬
riod, and the total receipts for each year:
1895-96.
Week ending, 1895: Middling. Receipts.
September 6, 1895.. ' 1V2 675
September 13 ..7% 5,571
September 20 7% 9,334
September 27... ... ... ... ...8 5-16 16,135
October 4.. .. .. .. .."....8% 25,195
October 11 ....8% 20,644
October 18.. .. .. .. .. .... 16,152
October 25 8% 12,452
November 1.. .. 8% 10,960
November 8 .. ..S1^ 9,748
November 15 , ..,.7% 12,495
20
Middling. Receipts.
November 22 7%
November 29 8%
December 6 7%
December 13 8
December 20 7%
Decern her 27 7%
January 3, 1896 7%
January 10 7%
January 17 7 11-16
January 24 7%
January 31
February 7
14
21
28
February
February
February
March 6.
March 13.
March 20.
7%:
7% '
7%
7%
7V2
7bi ■
7% ;
7% ■
March 27 7%
April 3 7%
April 10 iy2
April 17 7%
April 24 7%
May 1 7y2
May 8 7%
May 15 7%
May 22 7%
May 29 7%
June 5
June 12
June 19 7
June 26 7
July 3 614 bid
July 10 6%
July 17 6% bid
July 24 6% bid
July 31 6%
August 7 7 bid
August 14 7 bid
August 21 7%
August 28 7 11-16
10,835
10,839
10,317
12,161
10,402
9,858
5,014
4,930
3,085
4,077
8,340
6,500
5,108
5,285
5,885
3,156
2,759
2,368
2,211
1,464
1,725
1,813
1,515
395
442
650
819
897
552
295
none
155
25
64
64
51
98
8
112
2,300
5,822
Total receipts upland
1895-96
.281,757
Same time 1894-95.. ..
• a •• • a a a a
.407,843
Prices of middling cotton in New
York
and Savannah:
Date. New
York. Savannah.
September 6, 1895
...8%
7%
September 13
....8%
7 7-16
September 20
.,..8%
7%
September 27
....8%
8%
October 4
....9
8 7-16
October 11
9%
81/2
October 18
9 5-16
8%
October 25
... .8%
8y8
November 1
9
8 7-16
November 8
....8 15-16
8%
November 15
....8 9-16
8 1-16
November 22
....8%
8
November 29
8%
8 3-16
December 6
....8%
8
December 13
....8%
8
December 20
....8 5-16
7%
December 27
....8%
7 11-16
January 3, 1896
.. . .8%
7%
January 10
8 3-16
7 11-16
January 17
....8 3-16
7 11-16
January 24
....8 5-16
7%
January 31
....8%
7%
February 7
....8%
7%
February 14
....8I/8
7 11-16
February 21 ...
....7%
7 9-16
February 28
....7 13-16
7%
March 6
....7%
7 5-16
March 13 ...
....7%
7 7-16
March 20
....8
7%
March 27
....7 13-16
7 9-16
Date. New York. Savannah.
April 3 7% 7 9-16
April 10 7% 7V2
April 17 7 15-16 7 9-16
April 24 8 1-16 7%
May 1 8VS 7%
May 8 8% 7%
May 15 8 15-16 7%
May 22 8 15-16 7 11-16
May 29 ..8 1-16 7V2
June 5 7% 7%
June 12 7 7-16 7
June 19 7 15-16 7%
June 26 7% 7
July 3 7 7-16 7
July 10 7 7-16 6%
July 17 7 1-16 6%
July 24 7 3-16 6%
July 31 7 7-16 6%
August 7 8% 7ys
August 14 8 7 1-16
August 21 8 1-16 7 11-16
August 28 8 7Vs
TOTAL COTTON CROPS FOR THIRTY-
ONE YEARS.
Bales. Prices.
1865-66 2,193,987 36 a38 cts.
1866-67 2,019,774 30 a31
1867-68 2,593,993 24%a25%
1868-69 2,439,039 28 a28%
1869-70 3,154,946 32
1870-71 4,352,347 17%
1871-72 2,974,351 18
1872-73 3,930,308 17%
1873-74 4,185,534 15%
1874-75 3,827,845 13%
1875-76 4,669,000 10%
1876-77 4,485,101 10%
1877-78 4,773,865 ll%all%
1878-79 5,073,531 11 all%
1879-80 ; 5,761,352 11
1880-81 6,589,329 11%
1881-82 5,435,845 12%
1882-83 6,959,000 9%
1883-84 5,713,200 10%
1884-85 5,669,021 9%
1885-86 6,570,165 9%
1886-87 6,505,897 9 3-16
1887-88 7,004,434 9%
1888-89 6,925,362 10%
1889-90 7,263,076 10%
1890-91 8.655,51* 7 11-16
1891-92 9.038.707 6%
1892-93 6.717,142 6%
1893-94 7.527.211 6%
1894-95 9 89 ' 766 7%
1895-96 7 162,47 <
TOTAL COTTON CROP.
(From the Financial Chronicle.)
The total receipts at the Atlantic and Gulf
shipping ports this year have been 5,394,875
bales, against 7,882J63 bales last year and
5,983,392 bales in 1893-94; and that the exports
have been 4,648,084 bales, against 6.719,713
bales last season and 5,231,494 bales the pre¬
vious season. Liverpool getting out of this
crop 2,090,123 bales. If now we add the ship¬
ments from Tennessee and elsewhere direct
to manufacturers and Southern consump¬
tion, we have the following as the crop state¬
ment for the three years:
21
Year Ed'gSeptl
Receipts at the
shipping ports
bales ..
Add shipments
from Tennes¬
see, &c. direct
to manufact¬
urers. ..
Total.
1895-96.
1894-95.
1893-94.
5.391,875
7,882,163
5,983,392
851,788
1,157,251
820,490
6.246.663
9,039,414
6,803,882
915,810
I
853,352
723,329
7.162,473
9,892,766
7,527,211
Manufactured
South, not, in¬
cluded above.
Total crop for
_ year.. .bales..
The result of these figures is a total of
7,162,473 bales (weighing 3,596,775,534 pounds}
as the crop for year ending August 31, 1896,
against 9.8y2,766 bales (weighing 5.019,419.687
pounds) as the crop for year ending August
31, 1895.
Sea Island Cotton.
Carolinas opened at 19 cents for medium
fine, about the 1st of October and under
the scare of short crop reports advanced to
23y2 cents about the middle of December.
From this time, under heavy receipts the
market declined to 20 cents and sales were
made as low as 18 cents for good stapled,
but not very bright medium fine.
Extra fine crops sold at 35a40 cents early
in the season, but later on lower prices
were accepted.
Georgia's extra choice opened in Septem¬
ber at 16 cents, declined y2 cent and in
November advanced to 16 cents; in Decem¬
ber advanced to 17 cents; in January the
prices commenced to decline until extra
choice touched 14y2 cents in February.
East Floridas were of especially good
quality and opened at 19a20 cents, advanced
to 22 cents and declined 19 cents for the
best selection.
New crop indications point to a crop
equal in size to that of last season, but
if present accounts of damage prove cor¬
rect the crop will fall short of the esti¬
mates.
The receipts, exports and stocks of South
Carolina, Georgia and Florida sea island
cotton during the year 1895-96 at Charles¬
ton, as compared with the same time in
1894-95 and 1893-94:
1895-6. 1894-5 1893-4.
Receipts of islands 9,851 5,383 2,556
Georgias and Floridas.. .. 123 61 15
Tbx&S 645
Stock "September 1, 1.895.*. 2 ' 463 * 422
Total
Exports sea islands
Stock sea islands.. ..
Georgia and Floridas
...10,621 5,907 2,993
..10,049 5,844 2,530.
... 572 2 463
.. .... 61 ....
10,621 5,907 2,993
Comparative exports of sea island cot¬
ton from the port of Charleston from Sep¬
tember 1, 1895, to August 31, 1896, and for
same period in 1894-5 and 1893-4:
Exports to— 1895-6. 1894-5. 1893-4.
Liverpool 7,198* 3,407 1,019
Havre 1,191 1,021 267
B r e m e n, Continental
ports 64 53 17
Total foreign ports ..8,453 4,481 1,303
New York 1,576 1,424 1,227
Savannah 20
Total coastwise ports .. 1,596 1,424 1,227
Grand total 10,049 5,905 2,530
♦Includes 40 from Port Royal to Liver¬
pool and 424 to Manchester.
TOTAL CROP OF SEA ISLANDS.
The following comparative statement
shows the total extent of the crops of
1895-6, 1894-5, 1893-4, also the total exports
and their destination, as well as the stock
on hand at Charleston and Savannah:
South Carolina—
Receipts at 1895-6. 1894-5. 1893-4.
Charleston* 9,851 5,383 2,556
Savannah 119 508 67
9,970 5,891 2,623
Georgia and Florida—
Charleston 123 61 15
Savannah 77,280 63,797 54,192
Fernandina 2,208 1,541 145
Jacksonville 507 2,435 3,910
Brunswick 1,965 903 174
Total. 82,083 68,737 58,436
Total crop—South Caro¬
lina, Georgia and Flori¬
da 92,053 74,628 61,059
In addition the crop of
Texas, received at
Charleston 645
Received at New Orleans
92,698
♦Includes 40 bales of cotton at Beaufort.
EXPORTS.
Great Conti-
Total. Br't'n. nent.N'th.
Charleston 10,029 7,198 1,255 1,576
Savannah 75,591 34,751 6,014 34,826
Fernandina 2,208 2,208
Jacksonville .... 507 507
Brunswick 1,965 1,200 765
90,300 43,149 7,269 39,882
Stock on hand August 31, 1896:
Ga &
S. C. Fla.
Charleston 572 0
Savannah 2,231
572 2 231
Grand total stock, 2,803 bags.
FOREIGN EXPORTS.
The following is a table of foreign exports
and American consumption, also the stock on
hand August 31 of each year, for the last
thirty years:
22
Great
Britain
1895-96..
1894-95..
1893-94..
1892-93..
1891-92..
1890-91..
1889-90..
1888-89..
1887-88..
1886-87...
1885-86..
1884-85...
1883-84...
1882-83...
1881-82...
1880-81...
1879-80...
1878-79...
1877-78...
1876-77...
1875-76...
1874-75...
1873-74...
1872-73...
1871-72...
1870-71...
1869-70...
1868-69...
1867-68...
1866-67...
43,149
35,033
33,385
20,650
24,778
34,294
25,987
21.515
18.665
25,441
14,748
18,422
12,166
21,565
22,303
20 259
13,729
10,456
12.594
11,865
11,591
13 139
16,986
22,847
14,991
19,844
22,776
15 388
19,707
30,314
Conti¬
nent;
Total
exports.
7,269
5,711
4,636
1.890
2,653
4,823
2.251
1,811
1,915
1,484
1,680
3,143
1,413
1,892
2,453
4,136
3,294
2,242
3,701
1,369
1,345
1,907
1,887
622
593
61
1,940
1,851
152
392
Ara'n
con¬
sump¬
tion.
50,418
40,744
38.021
22,540
27,431
39,117
28.238
23,326
20,580
26,925
16,428
21,565
13,579
23,457
24,756
24,395
17,023
12,698
16,295
13,234
12,936
15,046
18,873
23,469
15 584
19,905
24,716
17.239
19,859
30,706
39,882
34,765
23,516
22,497
32,312
26,602
19.141
20,132
19,683
20.435
19,973
17,358
11 674
13,573
14,762
11,270
9,389
10,365
9,451
4,068
1,915
2,192
2,113
1,523
1,526
1,672
1,399
1,388
1,670
1,597
Stock
Aug.
31.
2,801
405
1,288
1.834
1,914
2,435
91
672
147
846
2,871
1,608
206
24
130
1,096
319
27
127
1,048
527
382
598
1,667
370
635
608
211
153
410
SEA ISLAND
CROP OF
YEARS.
THIRTY-ONE
The following table shows the extent of the
sea island crops, by States, for the last thirty-
one years:
Season. So. Ca. Ga.
1895-96...
1894-95...
1893-94...
1892-93...
1891-92...
1890-91...
1889-90...
1888-89 ..
1887-88...
1886-87...
1885-86
1884-85
1883-84
1882-83
1881-82
1880-81
1879-80
1878-79
1877-78
1876-77
1875-76
1874-75
1873-74
1872-73
1871-72
1870-71
1869-70...
1868-69...
1867-68...
1866-67...
1865-66...
9,970
5,891
2,623
7,199
11,504
16,215
9,256
9,618
8,573
7,933
7,010
12,863
8,415
15,715
10,642
14,845
9,966
7,133
6,448
4,911
4,756
7,400
8,759
13,156
8,755
7,218
7,334
5,60«
4,577
11,001
5,630
Fla.
4,244
2,475
2,956
3,126
6,049
3,179
3,4201
2,0521
3 608
1,669
1,213
1 110
1,408/
1,269
1,567
4,934
9,225
6,371
6,296
10,015
10,9571
26,418
24,987
14,073
18,054
21,842
18,410
13,318
13,716
14,739
11,214
8,950
8,313
8,825
10,764
5,624
8,753
9,948
6,703
10,402
11,212
2,428
Tex.
645
•••••<
Totals.
29
19
8
2
30
29
77
204
920
1,100
899
704
92.698
74,628
61,009
44,981
59,232
68,063
46,798
44,089
39,564
45,346
37.672
40,325
25,444
36,924
38,552
36,442
26,704
22,903
24,825
17,823
14,996
17,027
19,912
26,285
16,849
21,609
26,507
18,682
21,275
32,228
19.015
* Georgia and Florida, 82,083 bags.
C HA liLESTOS'S It ICE TEA 1) E.
Increased ileceipts — Favorable Prospects
this Year.
The bulk of the rice crop of 1895 was
harvested in good condition. The rice was
somewhat later in maturing than usual,
but as a rule the crop came to market
well cured.
The mills of this city have received this
year 168,314 bushels more rough rice than
for that ending 31st August, 1895.
On the rivers to the south of this city
the last season was a favorable one, but
on the long rivers north of this place
planting operations during the spring of
1895 were very much impeded by excess
of water, which prevented the land drain¬
ing and rendered impossible its proper
preparation for the early planting. Much
of the rice on those rivers could not be
planted earlier than June, and the quality
of a great deal of it was inferior.
The crop of Louisiana for the year 1895-96
was a large one, with an unusual amount
of very inferior rice, a great deal of which
was marketed below the cost of produc¬
tion.
The better grades throughout the past
season were, in demand and brought re¬
munerative prices, but the low grades
were abundant and often had to be sold
at ruinous rates. Good qualities averaged
3% to 4 cents; in some cases iy2 cents was
paid, and a few choice lots were sold at
4% cents, while lower grades were selling
at 2V2 to 3 cents, and in some instances
as low as 2 cents. The receipts of rough
rice at the South Carolina mills during
the past year have been 959,118 bushels,
against 790,484 bushels for the year ending
31st August, 1895.
Bushels.
The crop of the Atlantic States
for the past year is 1,409,118
That for the previous year was 1,169,244
The crop of Louisiana, which for
1894-95 was 3,409,556
Amounts to, for the past season,
1895-96, (including receipts and
distributions from mills out of
New Orleans 7,466,721
The crop of the United States in
1894-95 was 4,578,800
And for the year now ended is 8,875,839
Last season the first arrival of new crop
rice (18 barrels) reached this city on 30th
August from Waverly Mill, Georgetown
County, followed the next day by another
of 25 barrels form the same mill. A cargo
of rough rice from Ashepoo River arrived
on the 2d September, was sent to Ben¬
nett's Mill, but was not poundede until
the 10th of the month. About the 20th
several cargoes arrived and later in the
month the shipments became general.
The market opened at 4y2 cents, and
gradually eased down to 3y2 and 4c for
good grades, which rates were fairly main¬
tained during the winter and spring. As
summer advanced and the supply was vis-r
ibly shortened prices advanced % to y2
cent.
23
This season the first new crop rice, some
30 barrels, from Waverly Mill, reached
this city on the 18th ult, and was followed,
two days afterwards, by a shipment of 18
barrels. A cargo of some 1,500 bushels
rough rice, from Pon-Pon River, arrived
on the 22d ult, was sent to West Point
Mill and pounded on the 24th ult, and sold
on the 27th ult. These sales were all on
private terms. A further shipment of 50
barrels clean rice from Waverly Mill ar¬
rived on the 29th ult, and a second cargo
of 1,500 bushels rough rice from Pon-Pon
reached West Point Mill the same after¬
noon. In a week or two shipments will
be general.
The rice has matured much earlier this
year than usual. The harvest begun from
two to three weeks sooner this year than
the last, and progresses rapidly thus far
without any unusual drawbacks, the
planters doing their utmost to protect
their crops from any unfavorable weather,
which they may have to encounter later
in the fall.
The indications are that good paying
prices will be obtained for this crop. That
of Louisiana will be very much smaller
than was the last; less land was planted
in that State, and unfavorable weather
has greatly decreased the expected yield
of some of the principal rice growing sec¬
tions.
Prom present appearances the value of
the better grades of foreign rice will alone
indicate the limit of prices at which the
home product must be marketed.
THE RICE CROP.
Barrels of 300
lbs net.
Crop of South Carolina— 1895-96.
Milled at Charleston 66,113
Milled at Georgetown 21,079
Total South Carolina 87,192
Crop of Georgia—
Milled at Savannah 32,700
Crop of North Carolina—
Milled at Wilmington, Washington
and Newbern 8,500
Total coast crop 128,392
Crop of Louisiana ..670,105
Total crop United States 798,497
EXPORTS AND HOME CONSUMPTION.
The following table shows the exports
of rice from Charleston, as well as the
shipments by rail and the home consump¬
tion for the past two years:
1895-96 1894-95.
Bbls. Bbls.
North by steamer 20,894 14,712
Interior by rail 30,606 32,678
Total exports 51,500 47,390
Total receipts at Charles¬
ton from September 1
to August 31 76,500 67,390
Stock on hand at begin¬
ning of year none none
76,500 67,390
Total shipments 51,500 47,390
Oity consumption 25,000 20,000
Total 76,500 67,390
Stock on hand August 31...none none
RECEIPTS OP RICE AT CHARLESTON
Tierces. Tierces.
1866-67 15,337 1882-83 42,456
1867-68 22,451 1883-84 33,738
1868-69 35,541 Barrels.
1869-70 38,528 1884-85 97,966
1870-71 41,017 1885-86 86,126
1871-72 42,677 1886-87 96,280
1872-73 48,943 1887-88 81,290
1873-74 43,967 1888-89 72,565
1874-75 46,796 1889-90 97,240
1875-76 45,367 1890-91 87,657
1876-77 47,395 1891-92 82,923
1877-78 41,560 1892-93 94,332
1878-79 40,040 1893-94 35,603
1879-80 55,060 1894-95 67,390
1880-81 53,871 1895-96 76,500
1881-82 43,642
y A VAL SI ORES.
Light Receipts—Lower Prices for Turpen¬
tine—Rosin Prices Fairly Good—The
Naval stores Territory Shifting.
We cannot give an encouraging report of
the naval stores business for the past
year. Receipts are gradually diminishing,
owing to the exhaustion of pines in this
State.
Exports have been very small, but what
little business has been done turned out
satisfactorily.
Prices of rosin have been fairly good,
especially lower grades, BCD now selling
at $1 30.
Prices of turpentine on the other hand
have ruled very low, owing to. over-pro¬
duction in other States, turpentine now
selling at 213/£c per gallon.
RECEIPTS OP NAVAL STORES.
Bbs and casks. Bbls and casks.
1865-66 32,136 1881-82 330,106
1866-67 54,026 1882-83 366 471
1867-68 62,852 1883-84... ' 328^256
1868-69 72,279 1884-85 263,088
1869-70 90,106 1885-86 200 441
1870-71 90,297 1886-87 232 827
1871-72 151,553 1887-88 208,872
1872-73 225,683 1888-89 190 746
1873-74 229,120 1889-90 270,321
1874-75... 276,222 1890-91 199 230
1875-76 279,282 1891-92 152,931
1876-77 276,635 1892-93 144,166
1877-78 289,790 1893-94 85,807
1878-79 299,970 1894-95 86,431
1879-80 310,805 1895-96 68,440
1880-81 282,881
RECEIPTS, EXPORTS AND STOCKS
OF NAVAL STORES.
The following comparative statement
shows the receipts and exports at this
port from September 1, 1895, to August 31,
1896, and also for the same period in
1894-95;
24
1895-96. 1894-95.
Sp'ts. R'sin. Sp'ts. R'sin.
C'sks. Bbls. C'sks. Bbls.
Stock on hand 1,970 9,405 2,685 10,239
Receipts 8,910 59,530 11,939 74,492
Total 10,880 68,935 14,624 84,731
COASTWISE EXPORTS.
The coastwise exports of naval stores
from September 1, 1895, to August 31, 1896,
as compared with the previous year, were
as follows:
1895-96. 1894-95.
Sp'ts. R'sin. Sp'ts. R'sin.
Exported to— C'sks. Bbls, Cs'ks. Bbls.
New York 5,651 25,452 6,337 28,572
Philadelphia 1 223
Interior rail 525 124 1,932 3,576
Total .. 6,176 25,576 8,270 32,371
FOREIGN EXPORTS.
1895-96. 1894-95.
Sp'ts. R'sin. Sp'ts. R'sin.
C'sks. Bbls. C'sks. Bbls.
Roterdam 2,404 ... 3,000
Hamburg 300 3,000
Trieste 2,378 ... 2,692
Glasgow 1,000 909 3,300 2,640
London 1,896 1,542
Liverpool 5,107 ... 4,816
Harburg 3,656
Newcastle 275 7,169
Bremen 2,000 ... 1,500
Europe via Sa¬
vannah 6,891 ... 9,619
Bristol 941 6,114 809 4,463
Middleboro 3,400
Cardiff 2,961
Manchester 2,400
Total foreign ... 4,137 35,706 4,384 42,955
RECAPITULATION.
1895-96. 1894-95.
Sp'ts. R'sin. Sp'ts. R'sin.
C'sks. Bbls. C'sks. Bbls.
Stock on hand
Sept 1 and rec'pts
to Aug 31 10,880 68,935 14,624 84,731
Total exports, for¬
eign and domes¬
tic 10,313 61,282 12,654 75,326
Stock on hand.. .. 567 7,653 1,970 9,405
SPIRITS OF TURPENTINE.
The following statement shows the re¬
ceipts of spirits of turpentine and the
price in regular packages at the close of
the market each week, on the day named,
for the past year:
1895—
Months. Prices. Receipts.
September 6 24% 279
September 13 24% 197
September 20 25 251
September 27 25% 152
October 4 25% 149
October 11 25 bid 172
October 18 25% 159
October 25 25% 313
November 1 25% 197
November 8 25 298
November 15 25 193
November 22 25 206
November 29 25 179
December 6 24% 217
December 13 24% 199
Months. Prices. Receipts.
December 20 25% 214
December 27 27 127
1896—
January 3 26% 63
January 10 28 51
January 17 29 75
January 24 — 61
January 31 — 47
February 7 26 23
February 14 26 22
February 21 26% 17
February 28 26% 90
March 6 26% 52
March 13 26 24
March 20 — 24
March 27 — 21
April 3 24% 10
April 10 24% 47
April 17 25 71
April 24 25 92
May 1 24% bid 53
May 8 24% 224
May 15 — 261
May 22 23 365
May 29 23% 248
June 5 23 bid 372
June 12 ,...22% 321
June 19 22% 311
June 26 23 246
July 3 23 bid 330
July 10 23 219
July 17 324
July 24 22 268
July 31 21% 198
August 7 21% 192
August 14 22 279
August 21 22 180
August 28 21% 245
ROSIN.
The following statement shows the price
of the leading grades of rosin at the close
of the market each week, on the day
named, for the past year:
September, 1895—
6..
..C $110
F $1 25
G $1 35
H $1 45
I $150
K $1 75
M $2 00
N $2 40
13..
..C $1 05
F $1 25
G $1 30
H $1 40
I $145
K $1 60
M $2 00
N $2 25
20..
..C $110
F $1 25
G $1 40
H $1 45
I $1 50
K $1 70
M $2 05
N $2 25
27..
..C $1 15
F $1 30
G $1 35
H $1 40
I $1 50
K $1 60
M $1 95
N $2 20
October—
4..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 40
H $1 50
I $1 60
K $1 70
M $2 00
N $2 30
11..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 40
H $1 45
I $165
K $1 75
M$2 10
N $2 60
18..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 40
H $1 45
I $165
K $1 75
M $2 10
N $2 60
25..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 40
H $1 45
I $1 70
K $1 80
M $2 10
N $2 60
November—
1..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 40
H $1 45
I $1 70
K $1 80
M $2 10
N $2 60
8..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 40
H $1 45
I $170
K $1 80
M $2 10
N $2 60
15..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 40
H $1 45
I $170
K $1 80
M $2 10
N $2 60
22..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 45
H $1 50
I $170
K $1 80
M $2 05
N $2 50
29..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 45
H $1 50
I $1 70
K $1 80
M $2 05
N $2 50
December—
6..
..C $1 20
F $1 35
G $1 45
H $1 50
I $170
K $1 80
M $2 05
N $£ ;o
'25
13
20
27
3.
10.
17.
24.
..C $1 20
I $170
..C $1 25
I $170
..C $1 25
I $170
January,
.C $115
I $155
...C$110
I $155
...C $110
31.
I
,. .C
I
,..C
I
$1 65
$1 00
$1 55
$1 00
$1 50
F
K
F
K
F
K
1896—
F
K
F
K
F
K
F
K
F
K
February—
7.
14
21
28
C
I
C
I
c
I
c
I
March—
$1 00
$1 50
$110
$1 55
$1 00
$i'i5
6..
13..
.C $115
I ....
$115
20..
27..
C
I
C $1 20
I $170
C $1 20
I $170
April—
3....C $1 25
I $165
10....C $1 25
I $165
17....C $1 40
I $155
24....C $1 40
I $155
May—
1....C $1 45
8...
15
$1 60
$1 40
$1 60
$1 45
$1 60
$1 25
$1 55
$1 25
$1 55
I
C
I
..C
I
22....C
I
29....C
I
June—
5....C $135
I $160
12....C $1 25
I $1 55
19....C $1 25
I $1 55
26....C $1 35
I $155
July—
3....C $1 35
I $160
10....C $1 35
I $1 55
17....C $1 30
I $155
24....C $1 25
I $150
31....C $125
I $150
August—
7....C $1 25
I $150
$1 35
$1 80
$1 40
$1 80
$140
$1 80
$1 35
$1 75
$1 35
$145
$1 85
$1 30
$1 75
$1 30
$1 70
F $1 30
K $1 70
F $1 40
K $1 60
F $1 40
K ....
F $1 40
K ....
$1 40
$1 40
F
K
F
K
F $1 45
K $1 80
F $1 50
K $1 80
F $145
K $1 75
F $1 45
K $175
F $1 50
K $1 60
F $1 50
K $1 60
F $1 50
K $1 60
F $1 55
K $1 70
F $1 50
K $1 60
F $1 40
K $1 60
F $1 40
K$160
F $1 40
K $1 65
F $1 40
K $1 60
F $1 40
K $1 60
F $1 40
K $1 60
F $1 40
K $1 65
F $1 40
K $1 60
F $1 40
K $1 60
F $1 35
K $1 55
F $1 35
K $1 55
F $1 35
K $1 55
G $1 45
M $2 05
G $1 50
M $2 15
G $1 50
M $2 15
G $1 40
M $2 10
G $140
M ....
G $1 50
M $2 10
G $1 35
M $2 15
G $1 30
M ....
G
M
G
M
G
M
G
M
$1 30
$i 45
$i*50
$150
G $1 50
M ....
G $1 50
M
G $1 55
M $1 85
G $1 60
M $1 90
G $1 50
M $1 85
G $1 50
M $1 85
G $1 50
M $1 70
G $1 50
M $1 70
G $1 50
M $1 70
G $1 55'
M $180
G $1 55
M $170
G $145
M $1 70
G $145
M $170
G $1 45
M $1 75
G $1 45
M $1 70
G $1 45
M $1 70
G $1 45
M $1 70
G $1 45
M $1 75
G $1 45
M $1 70
G $1 45
M $1 65
G $140
M $1 60
G $1 40
M $1 60
G $1 40
M $1 60
H $1 50
N $2 50
H $1 55
N $2 70
H $1 55
N $2 70
H $1 45
N $2 60
H $1 45
N ....
H $1 60
N $2 60
H $1 50
N ....
H $1 40
N ....
H $1 40
N ....
H $1 55
N ....
H ....
N ....
H $1 65
N ....
H $1 65
N ....
H $1 65
N ....
H $1 60
N $1 90
H $1 65
N $2 00
H $1 55
N $1 95
H $1 55
N $1 95
H $1 55
N $1 80
H $1 55
N $1 80
H $1 55
N $1 80
H $1 55
N $1 90
H $1 55
N $1 80
H $1 50
N ....
H $1 50
N ....
H $1 55
N $1 85
H $1 50
N $1 80
H $1 50
N $1 80
H $1 50
N $1 80
H $1 55
N $1 85
H $1 50
N $1 80
H $1 50
N $1 70
H $1 45
N $1 65
H $1 45
N $1 65
H $1 45
N $1 65
14...
21...
28..
.C
I
.C
I
.c
I
$1 25
$1 45
$1 25
$1 45
$1 25
$1 45
F $130
K $1 50
F $130
K $1 50
F $1 30
K $1 50
G $1 35
M $1 55
G $1 35
M $1 55
G $1 35
M $1 55
H $1 40
N $1 60
H $1 40
N $160
H $140
N $1 60
7 HE L U M BE It TRADE.
Eight Demand—Exports Larger than In
any Previous Year—The Outlook is Fa¬
vorable.
The lumber trade during the past year
has participated to some extent in the
general depression. Nevertheless the to¬
tal shipments are in excess of any previous
year. Prices, though, ranged too low to
make the business profitable to manufac¬
turers, and it is only by the strictest
economy that any margin can be saved.
The business, through the energetic char¬
acter of our dealers, has been kept on a
footing to take advantage of any rise in
prices that may prevail. The local trade
has not been up to that of previous years,
comparatively few new buildings being re¬
ported, notwithstanding which stocks of
all building sizes are exceptionally light.
The facilities enjoyed here for shipping
lumber by water from the mills in the
interior direct to this market places the
trade here in a position to compete in
prices with any point South. In fact the
saving in this method of transportation
enables Charleston dealers to secure or¬
ders when more southern markets, depend¬
ing on railroad facilities, are barred out.
This applies more particularly to square
edge and sound quality of lumber, and
sawed trolley ties.
Any expansion of capital, and consequent
better demand and prices, will find the
trade here in a position to handle all the
business that offers.
The outlook now for the remainder of the
year is not encouraging, but very light
stocks now reported at Northern markets
make the prospects brighter for the com¬
ing year and any increase in demand for
theistaple will be immediately felt.
\ EXPORTS OF LUMBER.
The comparative exports of lumber,
timber and crossties from the port of
Charleston from September 1, 1895, to Au¬
gust 31, 1896, as well as for the same pe¬
riod in 1894-95, will be found in the follow¬
ing table:
Exported 1895-96. 1894-95.
New York 53,873,767 60,262,138
Boston 6,966,000 1,586,600
Philadelphia 3,774,000 6,475,168
Baltimore 1,649,000 1,816,000
Other U. S. ports 8,844,327 3,890,060
Total coastwise 75,107,094 74,029,966
West Indies 2,190,685 878,623
Other foreign ports
Total foreign 2,190,685 878,623
Grand total 77,297,779 74,908,589
26
TOTAL SHIPMENTS.
The total shipments of lumber of all
kinds for the last twenty-nine years were
as follows:
Fee t
1866-67 19,831,103
1867-68 17,958,615
1868-69 18,558,652
1869-70 13,205,066
1870-71 15,728,467
1871-72 18,490,139
1872-73 20,709,280
1873-74 19,568,091
1874-75 5,242,238
1875-76 4,080,511
1876-77 7,950,655
1877-78 9,595,053
1878-79 12,931,179
1879-80 15,437,907
1880-81 18,500,000
Feet.
1881-82 43,000,000
1882-83 40,000,000
1883-84 31,586,453
1884-85 30,033,961
1885-86 26,860,594
1886-87 32,672,735
1887-88 45,269,411
1888-89 50,532,680
1889-90 68,397,400
1890-91 51,226,827
1891-92 53,246,608
1892-93 61,093,344
1893-94 60,914,453
1894-95 74,908,589
1895-96 77,297,779
THE J'JtODUCE MA IIKET.
Dealings in Corn, Flour, Hay, Oats and
Bacon During the Year.
There has been a falling off in the re¬
ceipts of flour. There has not been much
change in hay. Receipts of corn have
been smaller. Oats show an increase.
Large quantities of bacon continue to be
raised in the State, and the demand here
has been lighter.
HAY.
The comparative receipts of hay for the
past twenty-two years are as follows:
Bales. Bales.
1874-75 32,629 1885-86 46,800
1875-76 36,050
1876-77 24,994
1877-78 32,335
1878-79 31,241
1879-80 44,913
1880-81 53,596
1881-82 55,000
1882-83 43,739
1883-84 64,700
1884-85 48,078
1886-87 47,700
1887-88 48,500
1888-89 51,700
1889-90 55,200
1890-91 67,000
1891-92 70,000
1892-93 62,000
1893-94 65,000
1894-95 55,250
1895-96 50,000
CORN.
The following are
received for the last
Bushels
1874-75 383,600
1875-76 684,900
1876-77 385,200
1877-78 375,700
1878-79 353,950
1879-80 473,115
1880-81 796,600
1881-82 1,100,000
1882-83 501,500
1883-84 971,000
1884-85 789,460
the amounts of corn
twenty-two years:
Bushels.
1885-86 718,750
1886-87 800,000
1887-88 900,000
1888-89 1,100,000
1889-90 1,115,000
1890-91 1,190,000
1891-92 1,200,000
1892-93 1,050,000
1893-94 1,250,000
1894-95 1,025,000
1895-96 900,000
OATS.
The receipts for the past twenty-two
years are as follows:
Bushels.
1874-75 60,500
1875-76 50,000
1876-77 77,400
1877-78 86,800
1878-79 97,250
1879-80 104,450
Bushels.
1885-86 150,000
1886-87 160,000
1887-88 172,000
1888-89 175,000
1889-90 185,000
1890-91 235,000
Bushels.
1880-81 152,025
1881-82 150,000
1882-83 150,000
1883-84 160,000
1884-85 147,815
Bushels.
1891-92 275,000
1892-93 240,000
1893-94 250,000
1894-95 275,000
1895-96 290,000
FLOUR.
The sales of flour during the year have
been less than they were during the pre¬
vious twelve months. The receipts
amounted to 150,000 barrels.
BACON.
There has been more bacon raised in
South Carolina in 1895 than in any previ¬
ous year since the war; this, in addition
to freight discriminations against Charles¬
ton, has caused a decrease in the demand
here. The receipts of the year amounted
to 1,000 carloads, or 25,000,000 pounds.
EltUI'JS AND VJSfi EIA BEES.
Charleston's Truck Trade—A Good Year
for the Business.
Charleston truck farmers were pioneers
in the shipment of vegetables to the East.
They made their city and section the
mother of what has since developed into
a great Southern industry. The farmers
began this work nearly seventy-five years
ago, but it was not until recent years that
the business became of great importance.
During the last decade the Annual Re¬
view of The News and Courier has given
a summary of the business done by the
farmers. In this report heretofore esti¬
mates have been made for Charleston and
the immediate vicinity of the city only,
and for the most part totals and general
results alone have been given. A more
extended inquiry into the truck traffic
and business for the last twelve months
has been made this year, and the public
is presented with a number of details
which have been wanting in all previous
reports. In the totals given account is
taken for the first time of the autumn
crops, and Yonge's Island crop is in¬
cluded in the figures given.
The trucking season ending July 31, 1896,
has been unprecedented in the annals of
vegetable growing in the vicinity of
Charleston. The general weather condi¬
tions were unpropitious for all crops dur¬
ing the year. The fall crops, beans, peas,
beets and lettuce, did not do well on the
whole. Berries were set back, first by
drought and then by cold, giving them a
poor chance during the winter months.
The spring was late, there being three
freezes in April which killed vegetation.
When the spring did open another season
of drought threatened. There being in¬
sufficient moisture for the crop, the qual¬
ity was poor and the yield was small.
Farmers estimated that scarcely more
than a fourth of an average crop of ber¬
ries was made. This fell the harder on
the farmers, for the last three seasons
have been bad. Many growers have been
forced out of business. But there is not
cause for despair. With the lower trans¬
portation charges promised, economic
27
management, the use of improved machin¬
ery, etc, Charleston should, under average
conditions, always be able to put her veg¬
etables upon the Eastern markets at pay¬
ing figures. The best asparagus and
strawberries produced in the world are
grown here. In these departments the
section has won a national reputation.
Her plants are sought from the Gulf to
the Pacific slope.
With anything like a fair season Charles¬
ton truck farmers should always do well.
The magnitude of the industry in which
they are engaged is not fully compre¬
hended at home or abroad. Lands, cattle,
implements and product in the trucking
industry represents fully $20,000,000; it
gives employmeat to 10,000 people; it
spends $1,000,000 in labor and fertilizer,
and from March until the middle of July
it provides the railroad companies with
their chief source of revenue.
The figures which are given below will
be interesting to the general public no less
than to truck growers. In making up the
results every source of information has
been exhausted. Railroad, express com¬
panies and steamship companies were con¬
sulted; the Government statistics have
been used and the farmers themseives
have been asked for aid. The fact that
the statement is both accurate and com¬
plete, is due to Mr L. Sahlmann, president
of the Truck Farmers' Association. He
was untiring in his labors to collect the
required data, and The News and Courier
takes pleasure in having this opportunity
of acknowledging its obligation to him.
As previously stated the fall crop has
never before been accounted for in the
statements published in the Annual Re¬
view. During the months of October and
November of 1895 there were shipped:
70,000 baskets of beans.
1,500 baskets of peas.
10,000 crates of cabbage.
Total number of packages 81,500.
The cabbage was for the most part
shipped to near-by points in this State,
Georgia and Florida. The beans and peas
went to the East. Consumed at home;
10,000 barrels of cabbage,
3,000 barrels of fall Irish potatoes.
60,000 barrels sweet potatoes.
10,000 baskets of beets.
5,000 baskets of carrots,
10,000 baskets of lettuce, onions, peppers,
etc.
20,000 baskets of turnips.
The estimate of the value of the crop
consumed at home being $300,000.
In former reports no individual estimate
of the hay crop has ever been given. A
conservative valuation of it is $100,000. On
Charleston Neck 4,500 tons of hay were
raised this year, and the crop of near-by
points is placed at six thousand
tons. All of both crops was con¬
sumed in this city and on neighboring
farms. When baled this hay is sought by
stablemen, and during recent years great
advances have been made in the meth¬
ods of curing. At the present time in color
and quality it compares favorably with
much of the hay brought to the city from
other markets. Farmers are annually giv¬
ing more and more of their attention to
hay raising.
The following statement gives the yield,
the acreage and the estimated value of
the spring crops for this year:
Strawberries, shipped 908,317 quarts, 1,000
acres, value $100,000.
Strawberries shipped to near-by points
100,000 quarts, value $10,000.
Strawberries consumed at home 400,000
quarts, value $20,000.
Beets, beans, cucumbers, muskmelons,
lettuce and other miscellaneous crops 212,-
567 bushel baskets, 3,500 acres, value $250,-
000.
Irish potatoes 70,271 barrels, 4,715 acres,
value $123,725.
Cabbages 88,271 barrel crates, 883 acres,
value $177,552.
Tomatoes 10,000 baskets, 150 acres, value
$10,000.
Okra 5,000 baskets, 75 acres, value, $5,000.
Sweet potatoes 1,000 barrels, 100 acres,
value $2,000.
Asparagus 30,000 boxes, 1,500 acres, value
$195,000. (This was home consumption.)
Asparagus 5,000 packages, value $17,500.
Tomatoes 15,000 packages, 100 acres, value
$15,000.
Okra 15,000 packages, 100 acres, value
$7,500.
Sweet potatoes 56,000 packages, 373 acres,
value $11,200.
Irish potatoes 10,000 packages, value $15,-
000.-
Cucumbers 10,000 packages, value $5,000.
Beets, carrots, turnips, onions and mis¬
cellaneous crops 20,000 packages, 350 acres,
value $20,000.
Mutton corn 6,000 packages, 200 acres,
value $3,000.
Comparisons will show that the number
of packages shipped this year is much
greater than the total for last season.
This is due to the fact that the fall crop
is included in the former figures and also
to the fact that the miscellaneous arti¬
cles are reported now for the first time.
The total number of packages was 898,609,
and the total value is placed at $1,400,000.
Some idea of the shrinkage of the crop
will be obtained from the fact that with
157,322 more packages the estimated value
is $100,000 less. These figures are estimates
obtained from persons well informed on
the subject.
The following is a table comparing the
shipments of the last three years:
1894 1895 1896
Quarts of berries 253,672 372,668 1,008,31.7
Barrels of potatoes.. 37,467 58,153 70,271
Miscellaneous crops..331,316 283,134 430,838
Never more than half the crop of cu¬
cumbers, beans and peas are shipped, a
circumstance which would suggest that
no better location for canneries could pos¬
sibly be found.
The crops for the three years are valued
as follows;
1894. 1895. 1896.
Berries $100,000 $175,000 $100,000
Potatoes 250,000 325,000 123,725
Vegetables 1,850,000 1,500,000 1,269,977
The following table shows the shipment
of miscellaneous vegetables during each
of the last seven years:
28
Packages.
1890 67,700
1891 164,226 ,
1892 189,257
1893 257,869
1894 331,316
1895 283,134
1896 498,609
No estimate has ever been made before
of the blackberry crop in this section.
About 300,000 quarts of these berries were
marketed here or from here this season.
The estimated value is $15,000.
MILK.
Some 3,000 quarts of milk are consumed
daily in Charleston. About 900 quarts
come from nearby farms. The annual
consumption is about 1,089,000 quarts,
valued at $100,000. Little or no butter is
made on the farms. Persons with infor¬
mation at their disposal place the yield
at 10,000 pounds, and value it at $2,500.
There is a splendid opening here for
dairymen.
EGGS.
Of the great quantities of eggs used but
a small proportion comes from the local
barn yards. Scarcely more than 50,000
dozen of the 4,000,000 dozen consumed here
are laid in and near the city.
It will be interesting to learn what
amount of money is expended by the truck
farmers of this vicinity annually. The fol¬
lowing figures will be instructive:
For labor $ 500,000
For fertilizer 500,000
For berry crates 9,365
For barrels 17,000
For cabbage crates 13,000
For baskets 25,000
For boxes 3,000
For freight 300,000
Total $1,360,365
The Melon Crop.
The South Carolina melon crop for 1896
is the smallest accredited to the State
within a decade. The smallnese of the crop
is attributable to a marked decrease in the
acreage rather than to a disastrous season.
Many melon farmers were disgusted with
the results of the previous year's work,
and either failed to plant at all or else
planted one acre where they had planted
two in 1895. The melons were thrown upon
the market rather earlier than usual owing
to a phenomenally forward season and
consequently the Carolina product came
into sharper competition with the Geor¬
gia melons. The results were prices
lower than would have been naturally
expected during a short crop year.
The following table gives a comparison
of the output of Carolina melons for the
last three years:
1894. 1895. 1896.
Midway 14 1 4
Bamberg 162 45 36
78-Mile 0 25 33
Denmark 57 7 3
Lee's 25 45 24
Rosemary 4 0 0
Bla :kville 90 60 95
C. M. Railway 300 371 242
1894. 1895. 1896.
Reynolds 19 23 8
Elko 80 101 46
Williston 35 26 17
101-Mile 6 1 0
White Pond 21 4 8
Windsor 39 31 5
Montmorenci 26 5 3
Aiken 56 24 2
C. C. G. and C. Railroad ... 24 15 0
Other stations 42 0 22
Total 990 807 548
THE EORT ANI> HARBOR.
Tonnage, Towing Pilotage and Freights
at Charleston.
The tri-weekly service between Charles¬
ton and New York and Charleston and
Jacksonville continues to be performed
by the splendid steamers of the Clyde
Line, which were built especially for the
routes on which they run. They have
unsurpassed passenger accommodations
and a large carrying capacity. There are
five steamers on the Clyde Line: The
Comanche, (new,) Capt L. W. Penning¬
ton; Algonquin, Capt S. C. Piatt; Iro¬
quois, Capt E. Kemble; Cherokee, Capt
H. A. Bearse; Seminole, Capt I. K. Chi¬
chester. The officers are skilful, courte¬
ous and attentive.
During the busy season extra steamers
are sent here.
Messrs W. P. Clyde & Co, the progres¬
sive and public-spirited owners of the
line, Mr Theo G. Eger, the able and active
traffic manager, and his courteous and
efficient assistant, Mr M. H. Clyde, are
willing at all times to co-operate with the
merchants of Charleston in protecting the
interests of this port. Mr Jas E. Edger-
ton, the energetic and efficient superin¬
tendent here, is one of Charleston's best
men.
The South Carolina Steamboat Com¬
pany, of which Mr George W. Egan is
the capable president, and Mr W. P.
Holmes, the excellent agent, owns five fine
steamers: The Planter, Capt J. T. Hub¬
bard; Santee, Capt L. H. Adair; Eutaw,
Capt Bennett; Merchant, Capt Cushman;
John M. Cole, Capt . The Planter
makes semi-weekly trips during the busy
season, and has comfortable cabin ac¬
commodations. The other steamers ply
regularly between this port and George¬
town and points on the Pee-Dee, Wateree
and North and South Santee rivers.
The steamer Pilot Boy, Capt F. D. Phil¬
lips, runs regularly to Edisto and Wad-
malaw islands and to Beaufort, and car¬
ries passengers, for which she is admira¬
bly provided.
The steamers Sappho, Capt Ferdinand
Cherry, and Pocosin, Capt D. Jervey, run
between the city and Sullivan's Island
and Mount Pleasant. Mr A. F. Witte is
the active superintendent of the line, and
Capt George H. Diefenbach and Messrs
T. H. J. Williams and George B. Rich-
wood are his polite and attentive assist¬
ants.
29
The steamer Susie Magwood, Capt Mag-
wood, carries freight up Ashiey River.
The steamer Elizabeth, Capt Nelson,
runs daily fo Cainhoy.
The steamer Clarence, Capt Bulwinkle,
runs to Kiawah and other points.
The steamer Spray, Capt Henry Morri¬
son, runs to McClellanville.
The steamer Sadie, Capt Morrison, runs
up Cooper River.
The tugs engaged in the Bar and har¬
bor towage are well adapted to the busi¬
ness, and are in charge of experienced
and capable masters.
There are thirty skilled full branch
pilots, with three fine pilot boats. Boats
are constantly cruising to furnish inward
bound vessels with pilots.
TONNAGE.
The total number of vessels arriving at
this port during the past year was 755.
against 800 during the previous year. Of
this number 77 were foreign and 678 were
American. The total net registered ton¬
nage amounted to 818,902 tons, against
856,680 tons last year. The vessels have
been classified as follows:
Foreign. American.
Steamships • 55 266
Barks 20 15
Brigs 1 9
Schooners 1 888
Total 77 678
This does not include vessels under 100
tons, nor does it embrace steamers run¬
ning from Charleston to ports in South
Carolina.
FREIGHTS.
Cotton freights to foreign ports con¬
tinued low during the past year, but this
was the condition of affairs everywhere.
At present there is a decided improve¬
ment, which is likely to continue for at
least two months.
Naval stores freights have not under¬
gone any change.
Coastwise—All interested in vessels of
this character are looking forward antici¬
pating better results than were realized
during the twelve months just closed.
During the past year competition between
steam and sail has certainly been sharp.
Owners are complaining that rates are
very unsatisfactory. Rates are slightly
lower at present than during the past
year. A limited amount of freight has
been brought this way. Shipments of
lumber and railroad crossties from this
port during the past year have more than
held their own. They were very large.
Phosphate rock shipments have fallen off.
At present many vessels come light to
load ties, lumber and rock for New York,
the East, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
We quote rates of freight at present: Dry
ties to New York 14 cents, basis 44 feet;
to Boston 15 cents. Dumber to New York
$4 50; Philadelphia $4 37%; Baltimore $4 25.
Phosphate rock, city to New York $1 85.
Feteressa to Carteret $190; to Philadel¬
phia $1 90; city to Baltimore $1 60.
Pregnall's Marine Railway.
One of Charleston's most important
water front industries is the marine rail¬
way and repair shops of the Pregnalls, at
the foot of Hasell street. The railway and
shops are new, having just been com¬
pleted last July. The Pregnalls now do
nearly all of the work on the boats plying
around Charleston harbor and vicinity.
The railway and the great cradle upon
which the vessels are placed are very in¬
teresting. The cradle is one hundred and
sixty-eight feet ten inches by thirty-seven
feet, and can hold a vessel of 600 tons.
When a vessel comes into the dock to be
taken on the ways the blocks are fitted in
the cradle to conform with the hull of the
vessel. It is then lowered and the ves¬
sel floated on it. The chain that pulls
the cradle and the ship from the docks is
two and a half inches by twelve inches
and the engines are sixty-horse power.
The railway was built in three months by
Messrs J. T. and W. S. Pregnall. The big
dredge Charleston was taken up before
the Eutaw. The railway brings a great
deal of business to the city and the haul¬
ing up of a big vessel is a very interest¬
ing sight.
BUIL1JJXG I B THE CITY.
Plenty of Work for Contractors ami Im¬
proved Homes for the People.
When the Messrs Olmstead, landscape
artists of Brookline, Mass, visited Charles¬
ton they were charmed with the beauty
of its residences. After returning home
they wrote to a prominent official of this
city that Charleston had a style peculiar¬
ly its own and that the modern, new
fangled building ideas should never be in¬
troduced here. This did not mean that in
the art of building Charleston could not
compare with other large cities. It meant
just the opposite. The style of architec¬
ture which has distinguished this city
has added to its charm and Charleston's
residence streets are the delight of all
visitors. During the past year the con¬
tractors have been making money and
the people have been building homes. The
improvement in the western part of the
city has been marked. Old Lynch street
has been opened so as to be a part of
Ashley avenue, and now Ashley avenue
extends within sight of Ashley River, the
entire length of the city.
The list of building permits issued dur¬
ing the year tell the story of progress.
NEW BUILDINGS.
Wallace Williams, 2 First street, one-
story wood, $80.
Henry Brady, 16 John street, two-story
wood, $850.
Dora W. Claussen, 127-129-131 Calhoun
street, two two-story wood dwellings and
two-story stable, $3,900.
William H. Puckhaber, 181 St Philip
street, two-story wood, $1,400.
John F. & D. W. Ohlandt, Jr. 20 Meet¬
ing street, two-story wood, $3,000.
Wm H. Gibbes, 65 Congress, one-story
wood, $150.
A. H. Claussen, 10 Shepard street, two-
story wood, $1,200.
30
J. F. Lilienthal, 1 and 3 Lightwood
alley, two two-story wood, $2,750.
John A. Metts, 56 Vanderhorst street,
two-story wood, $2,300.
Sarah A. Bateman, 66 Vanderhorst
street, two-story wood, $1,500.
John F. Rose, 38 Bogard street, two-
story wood, $400.
Queen Investment Company, 24, 26 and
28 Elizabeth street, three two-story wood,
$3,300.
St Francis Xavier Infirmary, frame an¬
nex, $5,000.
Margaret Von Livining, 18 Line street,
one-story wood, $150.
South Carolina and Georgia Railroad
Company, ware house, $15,000.
Alice M. Lucas, 40 Pitt street, two-
story wood, $1,300.
Samuel R. Quincy, 14 Rutledge avenue,
two-story wood, $3,000.
H. R. Peecksen, 570 King street, two-
story wood, $2,600.
L. D. Simonds, 5 and 7 King street, two
two-story wood, $6,000.
S. P. Poyas, 6 Nunan street, one-story
wood, $150.
Estate A. M. Dadin, 166 King street,
two-story brick, $2,500.
Catherine Culleton, 237 Calhoun street,
two-story wood, $2,000.
Max Kehlhof, 8 and 9 Shepard street,
four two-story wood, $2,000.
Reformed Methodist Union Church, 68%
Morris street, $100.
J. L. W. Moore, 211 St Philip street, two-
story wood, $300.
Marion La Roche, 28% Alexander street,
two-story wood, $1,250.
Tobias Scott, 59 St Philip street, two-
story wood, $700.
Laura Mantillo, 9 and 11 Savage street,
two two-story wood, $2,000.
James Ackerman, 234 St Philip street,
two-story wood, $400.
R. W. Wethers, trustee, 61 Conner
street, one-story wood, $600.
Robert M. Lambert, 197 Coming street,
two-story wood, $800.
John Stokien, 154 Spring street, two
one-story wood, $300.
F. W. Cappelmann, 22 Rose lane, two-
story wood, $500.
Jane Jackson, 55 Conner street, two-
story wood, $600.
Porter Academy, two-story wood, $3,000.
Porter Academy, two-story brick, $3,000.
John T. Rivers, one-story wood, $300.
Lee Loeb et al, 7 Stoll's alley, two two-
story wood. $600.
William D. Clarke, 67 Warren street,
two-story wood, $3,000.
J. E. Fenwick, plat 1 on Nassau street,
one-story wood, $150.
Lee Loeb and W. B. Cohen, 13 De Reef
court, three one-story wood, $450.
F. Heins, 40 South Bay, two two-story
wood, $5,000.
Maria Collins, 7 Calhoun street, two-
story wood, $600.
Amelia Rhame, 65 Drake street, one-
storv wood, $300.
J. Fred Lilienthal, 148 and 150 Smith
street, two-story tenement, $750.
Estate J. A. Moses, 9 Beresford, two-
story wood, $500.
St Paul's Baptist Church, colored, 238
Rutledge avenue, two-story wood, $1,000.
C. L. Fischer, Conner street, two-story
wood, $300.
Laura Mantillo, 13 and 15 Savage street,
two two-story wood buildings, $3,000.
George Moses and Emma Phenix, 4 Mary
street, two-story wood, $400.
John T. Rivers, 14 C street, one-story
wood, $300.
Jane N. O'Connell, 56 Payne street, one-
story wood, $300.
Mrs Jane Crovat, 57 Payne street, one-
story wood, $300.
West End Bath House, $2,200.
Alex H. Petch, 65 Smith, two-story wood,
$2,250.
Matilda Alexander, 22 Percy street, two-
story frame, $1,200.
Phoebe J. Blake, 52 Cooper street, one-
story wood, $1,100.
B. H. Bequest, 335 East Bay, iron and
brick in rear of lot, $600.
Standard Oil Company, 19, 29 Wharf
street, iron tank, $4,000.
R. W. Clauss, 9 Shepard street, two-
story wood, $800.
Estate Emma Johnson, 12 South street,
two-story wood, $400.
Summerville Savings Bank, 47 Montague
street, two-storv wood, $1,500.
Crafts School, public, 23 Friend street,
two-story wood, $1,250.
Thomas Smith, 67 Bogard street, two-
story, wood, $100.
Henry F. Brevard, 247 Calhoun street,
two-story wood, $300.
W. F. Jordan, 2% Limehouse street, two-
story, wood, $800.
IMPROVEMENTS.
Following are the improvements report¬
ed since September, 1895:
South Carolina Medical Society, 167 and
169 East Bay, building remodelled, $2,000.
Mrs B. Herskovitch, general repairs, $100,
420 King street.
John H. Doscher, general repairs, $100,
89 Tradd street.
V. N. Chisolm, addition, 124 Tradd street,
$100.
May R. Chisolm, 16 Rutledge avenue,
addition, $150.
Louis Steinberger, front remodelled and
addition, $200, 59 Coming street.
L. W. Bicaise & Co, 130 East Bay, brick
addition and work shop, $1,000.
South Carolina Society, dressing room,
Carolina Hall, $300, 70 Meeting street.
Mrs C. Kruse, change of dwelling, $500,
18 Liberty street.
G. D. Guida, two-story brick in rear, $500,
iy2 Elliott. ,
Lavinia B. Lindsay, one-story wood, to
replace old building, $150, 32 Laurel street.
W. B. Austin, new roof and general re¬
pairs, $1,500, 10 Rutledge avenue.
Jane D. Arnold, new piazza, $40, 34
Chapel street.
Mary L. Johnson, addition, $350, 107
Wentworth street.
Patrick R. Clarkin, double piazza and
extension, $300, 63 Drake street.
Jackson & Pickett, balcony, $150, Mills
House.
Simon Grant, two rooms addition, $100,
32 Congress street.
Thomas J. Liddy, addition, two rooms,
$300, 45 Amherst street.
31
W. P. Poulnot, new sills and general re¬
pairs, $200, 108 Tradd street.
W. M. Thomas, four rooms, addition,
$500, 22 Thomas street.
J. A. W. Rose, old building down and
two-storv wood in place, $200, 242 Coming
street.
F. W. Cappelmann, addition, $100, 49 Bo-
cr£ircl street.
& Mary Siegling, brick addition, $250, 243
King street.
Loeb & Cohen, old building replaced by
new, $200, 84 Tradd street.
Sarah E. Nelson, two rooms, addition,
$150, 36V2 Bee street.
Elizabeth S. Morrison, additional story,
$800, 238 Calhoun street.
Stephen S. Holmes, general, $100, 221
Spring street.
J. F. Pieper, addition, $300, 58 Line
street.
Meta K. Thiele, bakery and oven, $125,
53 and 55 Market street.
I. B. and W. B. Cohen and Lee Loeb,
general, $100, 13 Dereef court.
Estate J. C. Faber, 53 George street,
general, $600.
G. M. Holland, 103 Bogard street, one-
story kitchen, $50.
Jas W. McLeash, 57 South street, addi¬
tion, $150.
Anna M. Elliott, 91 Calhoun street,
kitchen, $100.
Miners' and Merchants Bank, 23 Broad
street, addition, $150.
Martha E. Taylor, 15 Washington street,
general, $500.
Estate G. Del Guidice, 37 Archdale
street, addition, $500.
Armour Packing Company, 381 and 383
Meeting street, cellar, $1,000.
J. H. P. Koenig, 241 Calhoun street, rear
and bay window, $500.
Mrs A. F. C. Gotjen, 220 King street,
remodelled, $2,000.
Susan B. Dart, 24 Laurel street, addi¬
tion, $100.
Angelo Cervetti, 2 Market street, raised
building, $500.
Geo Tweitmann, 118 and 120 Meeting
street, general, $750.
A. Morgenstein, 62 Reid street, addition,
$500.
Ann Elizabeth Smith, 17 Alexander
street, general, $100.
Estate C. H. Holloway, 10 Pitt street,
addition, $100.
M. P. Pickett, 39 Pinckney street, gen¬
eral, $300.
Mary Jane Gadsden, 6 1st street, addi¬
tion, $40.
Wm E. Jennings, 84 Radciliffe street, ad¬
dition, $500.
Francis W. Thompson, 5 West Park
street, new roof, $50.
John Richton, 21 Chapel street, exten¬
sion, $100.
Anna M. Gaillard, 50 South street, addi¬
tion, $150.
F. J. Lilienthal, 34 and 36 Beaufain
street, general, $150.
Estate Anna P. Matthews, 43 East Bay
street, general, $150.
John Brouthers, 30 Shepard street, one-
story converted to two-story, $450.
James D. Jervey, 39 America street, new
roof and general, $400.
A Stemmerman, 36 Bull street, general,
$300.
Estate Mordecai, 99 Broad street, addi¬
tion, $150.
Jane Crovat, 1 Palmetto street, addition,
$150.
Estate Sylvia Miles, 2 Heyward court,
general, $50.
W. A. Moore, 10 George street, general,
$100.
H. Hassett, 38 Woolfe street, addition,
$50.
St Philip's Church, Wentworth and
Coming streets, general, $800.
J. W. Evans, 31 Rosemont street, addi¬
tion, $75.
Emily F. Wiltshire, 35 Rosemont street,
addition, $50.
Jos Marks, 164 Rutledge street, general
repairs, $700.
Pauline Heyward, 240 King street, gen¬
eral, $2,000.
Berrien Williams, Huger and Ashley
streets, addition, $50.
Rosa Blank, 9 Glebe street, new roof,
$250.
Jennie M. Adger, 32 Bee street, general,
$400.
Loeb & Cohen, 43 and 45 George street,
general, $280.
Chas A. Elbrook, 62 Warren street, gen¬
eral, $150.
Ida E. Croft, 233 Calhoun street, addi¬
tion, $200.
Sophia J. C. Beckroge, 487 Meeting
street, remodelled, $150.
Florence E. Tate, 252 Ashley avenue,
ware house, $100.
ASl HE EX EE UTS SEE IT.
What tlie Commercial Agencies Think of
the New Year's Prospects.
Mr J. E. C. Pedder, of Bradstreet's Com¬
mercial Agency, has prepared the fol¬
lowing statement in regard to Charles¬
ton's business for the past year:
There can be no question of the fact
that the past year's business has been
by far more satisfactory to manufactur¬
ers, wholesalers and jobbers than the
most optimistic could have foreseen. The
general trade all speak well of last year's
business. In some instances the gain
over the year's previous output was
greatly in excess, while others report
about the same volume of business done,
but all agree that collections were far
better than for some years. In many in¬
stances payments have been anticipated
without being asked, and from what can
be learned from authorities who are in
a position to know, the prospects for a
good business the coming fall are flatter¬
ing.
The country trade generally is in good
shape, quite a good deal of cotton has
been planted, and from present outlook
will bring a fair price.
There is another favorable indication
that should not be overlooked, and that
is the conservative way in which the
country trade are sending in their orders,
buying no more than is absolutely neces¬
sary and at the very closest figures, and
quite a number in sending their orders
make requests for cash and time terms,
32
and when the former is favorable send
in the cash. This shows a healthy state
of trade, and the farmer (spurred up by
the exhortations of The News and Cou¬
rier) is to be thanked largely for it, for,
looking back a few years, it will be seen
that the diversity of crops has almost
been the salvation of the agricultural
trade of this section.
Since our last year's report quite a
number of new industries have been
started, conspicuous amongst which are
the cotton mills in various parts of the
State, and they all, with very few ex¬
ceptions, have made very gratifying
showings to their stockholders, so much
so in fact that new mills being started
are no longer a novelty, but almost a
weekly occurrence.
The fertilizer trade last year was ex¬
cellent, and was by far the best for some
years past, and the prospects for the
coming year are bright.
Failures in this State the past year
have not been large and in number com¬
paratively few. None of any moment has
happened and losses on the whole have
not been heavy.
Bankers, wholesalers, manufacturers
and jobbers are all ready to commence
the fall trade, and all necessary funds are
on hand to move the crop, be it big or
little.
The wholesale trade in boots and shoes,
dry goods, clothing and hardware all re¬
port a large increase of sales over last
year and that collections are excellent.
Of course it is too early yet to tell how
the crop of cotton will turn out, or how
much it will bring, but from the present
outlook it appears that the crop gener¬
ally will be short and the prices very
fair.
The coming election will of necessity
have some effect on trade, as the mone¬
tary questions of the day have a disturb¬
ing effect on purchases or sales, and in
some money centres some hesitancy is ap¬
parent in loans, yet there is no question
that the local banks can readily get all
necessary means needed for moving the
crop.
The rice crop this year bids fair to be
a good one, and the first of the crop, which
arrived more than ten days ago, was sold
at a good price.
What we need are small manufactories
of goods for home consumption. Look at
the small factories that have started, and
see (if they have the necessary money,
brains and pluck behind them) if they have
not succeeded, and succeeded well. It is
not the big things that build up a town;
it is the small ones. Get a lot of small
industries started and see how quick they
will be pushed and helped along. There
are lots of vacant stores and buildings that
are the very thing for the purpose. Let it
be known that they can be rented to young
enterprises at a nominal figure for the first
year; that the city will not tax them; tnat
they will have a helping hand from our
citizens, provided their goods are as good
and no dearer than their competitors, and
I venture to say that they will help us
more than any one thing Charleston
can do.
Railroad facilities are in good shape to
handle the crop, and the new railroad en¬
terprise, from the city to the grain fields
of the West, has given a decided impetus
to trade and proved, beyond the suspicion
of a doubt, that Charleston is not dead
or asleep, but very much awake to her
own interests, and that although the mill
in this case may "grind slowly," it "grinds
exceeding small," and that before many
years have passed she will have taken her
rightful place in the trade centres as the
fading c.ty of the South.
A Plain Statement by R. G. Run & Co.
Mr W. A. Merchant, manager of R. G.
Dun & Co's Mercantile Agency, when
asked to say something in regard to the
business interests in general of Charles¬
ton, replied:
The business of the past year has been
on the whole satisfactory. The retail
trade of the city has not been quite as
good as usual, but the falling off has not
been greater than that in other commer¬
cial centres and the prospects for im¬
provement are pronounced.
Wholesale trade in all lines shows an
improvement as compared with the year
ending September, 1895. Collections last
fall and winter were remarkably good
and the number of spring bills discounted
was largely in excess of previous years,
indicating a decided improvement in the
financial condition of country merchants.
Sales of fall and winter goods have been
very satisfactory and the working forces
of wholesale houses have been heavily
taxed during the past month in getting
goods ready for shipment. A repetition
of last fall's heavy filling in trade is
promised for thte season.
Charleston's jobbing territory has been
steadily extended during the past few
years, and the fact that she can success¬
fully compete with New York, Baltimore,
Richmond and Atlanta in North Carolina,
Georgia and Florida speaks well for the
future of the city as a distributing point.
The farmers of the State have continued
to diversify their crops, and to that fact,
in a great measure, is due their present
prosperous condition, which is probably
better than for ten years past. They
have profited by the lesson learned in 1895
that commercial fertilizers are a prime
necessity in successful farming, and by
their use are now showing more intelli¬
gence and thrift in the cultivation of the
soil. Rice, corn and tobacco crops give
promise of an abundant yield, and the
shortage in the cotton crop, due to ex¬
cessive heat and drought, and estimated
at 25 to 30 per cent, will probably be more
than offset by the increased price, which
at present bids fair to be above 8 cents.
Crops this year have been more cheaply
made than ever before, and the prospects
are that this will be one of the most
prosperous years in the history of the
agricultural classes of the State.
The building of the Charleston and Ma¬
con Road will open a new territory to
Charleston and will be of especial bene¬
fit to the fertilizer business, the great in¬
dustry of the city. The construction of
the road will distribute a considerable
amount of money among the retail deal¬
ers and the wholesale merchants of the
city will also be benefited.
33
The building of a large grain elevator
and the promised establishment of a di¬
rect line of steamships between this port
and England by the South Carolina and
Georgia Railroad give promise of much
good to the city.
The financial stringency at the North,
due to lack of confidence, has been re¬
flected here to a slight extent, but with
the movement of the cotton crop money
will shortly flow in, and there will be an
abundance of currency for legitimate
business purposes.
The financial condition of the city is
sound and everything points to a prosper¬
ous fall and winter.
JTJVZ) USTRIAL PROG HESS.
A last of the New Enterprises Specially
Chartered During the Year.
During the year from September 1, 1895,
to September 1, 1896, quite a number of
charters have been issued by the Sec¬
retary of State for new enterprises to be
located in Charleston. This is the list
of charters granted;
Terry Fish Company, $5,000.
The Drake-Innes-Green Shoe Company,
$40,000.
Cotton States Fertilizer Company, $200,-
000.
The Mutual Investment Company, of
Charleston, S. C., $1,000.
Charleston Knitting Mills, $25,000.
The Guardian Building and Loan Asso¬
ciation, $150,000.
The Produce Exchange, of Charleston,
$2,500.
Mercantile Building and Loan Associa¬
tion, $150,000.
Carolina Broom and Manufacturing
Company, $5,000.
Queen Investment Company, $25,000.
Hirsch-Israel Company, $75,000.
Southern Crosstie and Stave Company,
$25,000.
The Mutual Advertising Company,
$1,000.
The Mutual Building and Loan Associa¬
tion, $150,000.
Benjamin Adams Company, $5,000.
Cudworth Harness and Saddlery Com¬
pany, $2,000.
City Ice Company, $10,000.
The Sun Company, $10,000.
Southern Lumber and Fruit Company,
$5,000.
Acme Investment Company, $10,000.
The Charleston Shoe Manufacturing
Company, $25,000.
The Carolina Construction Company,
$30,000.
Charleston Water-works, $200,000.
The Charleston Fire and Marine Insur¬
ance Company, $200,000.
John C. Ferguson Company, $4,000.
The Coastwise Steamboat Company,
$4,000.
The Hope Building and Loan Associa¬
tion, $150,000.
The Carolina Mutual Telephone and
Telegraph Company, $30,000.
Charleston Metallic Packing Company,
(capital increased,) $15,000.
3
A New Business Palace.
Conspicuous among the many improve¬
ments rapidly placing Charleston in rank
with the larger cities is the new business
home of the Hirsch-Israel Company,
which stands at the intersection of King
and Wentworth streets, a most important
building at one of the most important
business points in the city.
This splendid building, now nearly com¬
pleted, is an ornament to Charleston and
by commercial travellers is said to be the
handsomest business house in the South,
and second to no clothing house North.
It is a monument to the thrift and indus¬
try, and the result of hard, honest and
intelligent work of its owners, Charles¬
ton's own sons.
The building occupies a site recently
containing two large store buildings,
numbered 275 and 277 King street, and has
a frontage on King street of about 6ixty
feet and extending westward on Went¬
worth street one hundred and eight feet.
The main entrance is situated immediately
at the corner and on an angle, opening
twenty-six feet across the corner and with
a recess of about fifteen feet, forming a
semi-circular vestibule. The arch over the
entrance is forty feet from the tiled floor.
The dome will be finished in ribbed metal
and having in this vestibule three show
windows and two doors. The doors will
open directly north and west, a show win¬
dow bing between. Another entrance is
half way down Wentworth street and
through a handsome arch of Indiana
stone.
The first storv is made of six Indiana
stone piers, resting on very heavy founda¬
tions. Five large show windows are
placed, one on King street, eighteen feet
wide, and four on Wentworth street, four¬
teen feet wide each. Single panes of plate
glass will fill these openings.
The second and third stories are budd¬
ed of buff pressed brick, ornamented with
piasters and surmounted by terra cotta
capitals, all in accord with the Corinthian
style of architecture. The building is six¬
ty-one feet from the sidewalk to the para¬
pet, and the tower, a very handsome piece
of work, extends forty-two feet above the
building. The tower is of buff brick with
terra cotta ornaments. The dome is cov¬
ered with "old gold" tiling.
Immediately over the arch at the main
entrance are two lar^e carved female fig¬
ures, representing "Fashion" and "Com¬
merce." The apex of the spandiel is
crowned by a circular balcony. The ef¬
fect is very striking. Leading from the
balcony are the second story windows, ar-
. orranged in triplets and hand¬
somely ornamented.
The ceiling of the first floor is 20 feet,
on the second floor 15 feet and 12 feet on
the third. The first floor is to be devoted
to the general stock, clothing, hats, fur¬
nishings, etc, and the firm proooses to
keep their stock entirely up to the mark
and in accord with their splendid build¬
ing. Their greatly increased capacity will
enable them to carry an immense stock,
and the reputation the firm bears is a
guarantee of quality. Even in such, a big
34
now house, however, there will be no room
for "questionables."
The second story will be a sales room.
The third story will be occupied as tailors'
rooms and store rooms. Two elevators,
freight and passenger, of the most modern
pattern, will be used.
The office is located on an elevated plat¬
form, (reached by broad stairs,) just four
feet below the second floor, so that the
two floors can be overlooked. The office
will be conveniently and comfortably ar¬
ranged. A cash carrier system will be used
and customers will never have long to
wait for change.
In the tower a place has been provided
for a clock. There are also rooms in the
tower that will be made use of.
Every modern device that will facilitate
business will be found in the completed
building. Everything that conduces to the
comfort and convenience of the patrons
of the firm, and also the attaches, will be
put in. Light and ventilation have been
carefully and successfully planned for.
The building and the business are intend¬
ed to be strictly up to date in every re¬
gard. The public should appreciate the
enterprise and confidence displayed by the
owners, and they should be liberally com¬
plimented and upheld—that others may
follow their lead.
This building certainly reflects great
credit upon the Hirsch-Israel Company,
the owners; Mr Paul J. Pelz, the archi¬
tect, and Mr J. D. Murphy, the builder.
All have done well, and Charleston is the
gainer.
Milking; Our Own Socks.
The Charleston Knitting Mill is one of
Charleston's lusty infant enterprises.
There is every reason why the city should
be proud of this prodigy. During the first
month of the year 1896 a number of busi¬
ness men got together and considered the
question of making hose in Charleston and
supplying the trade all over the South.
The capital stock of $25,000 was readily
subscribed and before the public had a
chance to make predictions in its usual
liberal manner the Knitting Mill was in
operation and its orders increasing every
day. The officers of the company are; W.
Gregg Chisolm, president, and R. Bee
Lebby, secretary. The mill is situated at
the corner of East Bay and Pritchard
streets in a commodious building. Thirty-
five machines of the most improved style
are kept in daily operation and forty
Charleston people are employed. The stuff
manufactured is seamless half hose and
ladies' hose. The capacity of the mill is
150 dozen pairs a day. The goods
find ready purchasers among the Charles¬
ton wholesale dealers and orders are now
coming from all over the country. Orders
have been filled from Seattle, Wash, Sioux
City, Iowa, Springfield, Mo, Pittsfield,
Mass, and other distant points. Since the
mill was started in February many like
concerns in the North and East have gone
under through stress of hard times, but
Charleston's infant industry is thriving
and the future for it is very promising.
Making Our Own Shoe*.
The Charleston Shoe Factory is a new
enterprise in this city, which will begin
work about October 1. Some months ago
a charter was granted to the Charleston
Shoe Manufacturing Company, with a
capital stock of $25,000. Mr E. C. Wil¬
liams, Jr, is president and treasurer and
Mr J. H. Hussey is superintendent.
The factory building, in East Bay, will
be completed in a few days. All of the
machinery has arrived and will be put in
place as soon as possible. Work will be
begun with forty hands, but that number
will be increased as soon as everything
is getting along nicely. The factory is
two stories high, and 75 by 40 feet. An
engine room, constructed of brick, joins
the main building.
Mr Williams says that the company will
turn out 600 pairs of shoes a day, though
later on they expect to double this
amount. This is the only factory of the
kind in the State. The men who have in¬
vested their money feel that it will be
made to pay. and will add another home
enterprise to Charleston's already large
list.
THE CITY IN G EN Eli A I.
Chariestun's Financial Cond ition—Tlie
City's Debt, Income and Expenditures.
The following table shows the income
and expenditures of the City Government
during the year 1895:
Income $683,814 61
Surplus from 1894 14,745 38
$698,559 99
Expenditures 689,671 05
Surplus to 1896 $ 8,888 94
The bonded indebtedness of the city on
December 31, 1895, amounted to $3,839,700,
as follows:
4 per cent bonds $3,361,700
5 per cent bonds 258,500
5 per cent stock (College) 23,000
6 per cent bonds 109,500
7 per cent Nmds 87,000
Indebtedness January 1, 1896 $3,839,700
Indcotedness January 1, 1895 3,851,200
Reduction $ 11,500
The following figures are taken from the
annual report of the city assessor for the
year 1895, the period covered extending to
January 1, 1896:
The assessed value of real and personal
property returned for taxation is as fol¬
lows:
Real estate $16,630,364
Personal property 6,112,472
Total $22,742,836
At 21 mills, $477,599 56.
»
35
As compared with the assessments • for
year 1894 the following decrease is shown:
Real estate $ 54,868 00
Personal property 524,298 00
Total decrease for 1895, as com¬
pared with 1894 $579,166 00
The amount of regular applica¬
tion for licenses issued is $ 88,244 50
The amount of licenses as¬
sessed is $2,272 50
The amount of penalty as¬
sessed is 1,136 25
Total amount of as¬
sessed licenses and
penalties... $ 3,408 75
As compared with the regular
licenses issued for year 1894,
the decrease is $ 2,903 00
The number of permits issued during the
year 1895 for the erection of new build¬
ings and old buildings improved are:
New buildings, 118 permits, re¬
ported cost $134,700 00
Old buildings improved, 89 per¬
mits, reported cost 43,135 00
Total, 207 permits, reported cost $177,835 00
The record of the sales of real estate
during the past year continue to show
an advance over assessments.
416 pieces, assessed for $2,164,995, sold for
$3,301,162, an advance over assessments of
58.88 per cent.
The returns of real estate for the past
four years, as compared with year 1891,
shows an increase of $1,309,805, while the
returns of personal property for same pe¬
riod show a decrease of $442,129, making
a total increase of the taxable basis for
year 1895, as compared with 1891, $1,309,-
805.
The loss on personal property is caused
mainly by the reduced returns of mer¬
chants and phosphate companies; and of
liquor dealers who have had to close out
that branch of business under the State
dispensary law; and banks and individuals
for investments in new 4V2 per cent State
bonds exempt from taxation.
The following table contains a very in¬
teresting comparison, showing the differ¬
ence between the assessed value of real
estate and its value at sale during the
year 1895:
Number Amount Am't of
Wards. of Pieces, of Sales Ass'm'ts.
Ward 1 15 $ 32,980 $ 22,375
Ward 2 15 85,795 48,825
Ward 3 21 87,420 72,960
Ward 4 23 45,265 35,400
Ward 5 65 201,970 115,335
Ward 6 32 108,130 64,335
Ward 7 21 50,915 31,105
Ward 8 21 41,055 25,145
Ward 9 30 30,910 19,900
Ward 10 22 33,110 18,510
Ward 11 86 78,013 52,115
Ward 12 65 45,460 23,3v0
Totals 416 $841,023 $529,375
Advance over
Ass'mt. Per Ct.
Ward 1 $ 10,605 47.39
Ward 2 36,970 75.72
Ward 3 .. 14,460 19.81
Ward 4 .. .. 9,865 27.87
Ward 5 86,635 75.12
Ward 6 43,795 68.07
Ward 7 19,810 63.68
Ward 8 15,910 63.27
Ward 9 11,010 55.32
Ward 10 14,600 78.88
Ward 11 25,898 49.69
Ward 12 22,090 94.09
Totals $311,648 58.88
383 pieces sold above assessments..$320,563
Amount of sales $797,943
Amount of assessments ... 477,380
Per cent of sales above assess¬
ments 67.15
33 pieces sold below assessments..$ 8,915
Amount of assessments .. ..$ 51,995
Amount of sales 43,080
F'er cent of assessments above sales 17.15
Here is a statement from the city as¬
sessor's books containing the description
and value of personal property returned
for taxation for the year 1895:
1,335 horses and mules $ 99,415
246 cows 7,315
468 dogs 5,086
786 gold and silver watches and
plate 60,832
447 piano fortes, melodeons and
cabinet organs 35,838
387 carriages, buggies, etc 30,260
860 wagons, drays, carts, etc 34,405
Merchandise, money and credits
pertaining to business of mer¬
chants 1,675,154
Materials, machinery, engines,
tools and fixtures of manufac¬
turers 888,593
Moneys, bank bills and circulating
notes on hand or deposit, and all
credits 343,331
Receipts of insurance agencies— 462,190
Receipts of express, telegraph and
telephone companies 32,881
Returns of banks 1,212,520
Returns of phosphate companies.. 78,122
Stocks and bonds of all other com¬
panies, corporations and persons 643,952
Vessels, boats and other floating
property 92,150
All other property, including
household furniture 410,428
Total value of personal property..$6,112,472
The Bond and Stock Market.
The transactions in the bond and stock
market during the past year have footed
up a very large amount. The business
has been principally in State and city
securities, these classes of securities hav¬
ing become favorites with investors.
Fluctuations in the prices of the leading
securities have been inconsiderable dur¬
ing the year. In the case of some of the
railroad bopcia there has been a slight
0
36
falling off in prices, but through the gen¬
eral list the prices of former years have
been well maintained. The stocks of the
various city banks, insurance companies,
gas companies, etc, have all been in good
demand and have met with ready sale.
Towards the close of the year there has
been a slight decline in securities, owing
to the unsettled condition of the money
market and the uncertain outlook of the
future.
The following table will show the value
of the different securities at the close of
the year:
1895 1896
South Carolina per cent
bonds 108 107
City of Charleston 4 per cent
bonds 98 94
City of Charleston 5 per cent
bonds 108 107
South Carolina and Georgia
Railroad bonds 108 92
Northeastern Railroad 1st mort¬
gage bonds 112 109
Northeastern Railroad 2d mort¬
gage bonds 112 108
People's National Bank 162 150
First National Bank 230 220
Bank of Charleston, N. B. A....133 133
Dime Savings Bank 195 195
South Carolina Loan and Trust
Company 80 40
Charleston Gas Light Company 21 20
Charleston City Railway Com¬
pany 70 65
THE WORK ON THE STREETS.
What has been Accomplished for the Im-
provement of the City's Thoroughfares.
A great deal of good work has been ac¬
complished during the past year by the
street department. Many marked im¬
provements have been made, but the de¬
partment is still continuing the work all
over the city.
The following pipe drains have been laid:
Size of pipe,
Length in feet. inches.
Ashley avenue 528 12
Hampden court 212 8
Judith street 615 12
Jasper street 490 12
Laurens street 1,050 12
Montague street 205 8
Marion street 390 12
Mary street 468 12
Middle street 224 8
Middle street 224 12
Radcliffe street 380 12
Smith street 1,255 12
The plank roads have been repaired in
Calhoun, Drake, Columbus and Mary
streets.
The following brick drains have been
cleaned: Stoll's alley, Adger's wharf,
Hayne and Smith streets, and pipe drains
cleaned in following streets: Judith,
Smith, Cromwell's alley, Drake, Ford's
court, King street, Reid street, Stoll's
alley.
Wood curbing and crossings have been
laid In Nassau, Calhoun, (corner Wall,)
Doughty, Guignard, Henrietta, Bay,
Meeting, (corner Shepard,) Pitt, Rutledge
avenue, Shepard, Bogard, Rosemont,
Ashley avenue, Bee, Kraclce, Line, Drake,
President, Mazyck, West, Cannon, Short
court, Hampden court, Tradd, Lynch,
Cooper, Laurel, Smith, Calhoun, (corner
Smith,) Coming, (corner Montague,) Bo¬
gard, (corner Rutledge.)
The following sidewalks have had shell
placed on them: Smith street, both sides,
from Calhoun to Vanderhorst; Ann street,
both sides, from King to Meeting; Drake
street, west side, from Chapel to Cooper;
Laurel street, west side, from Spring to
Line; Line street, south side, from Han¬
over to Aiken; Middle street, west side,
from Calhoun to Laurens; Warren street,
north side, from King to St Philip; War¬
ren street, north side, from Coming to
Thomas; Savage street, east side, from
Broad to Tradd; Tradd street, north side,
from Rutledge avenue -to Chisolm's Mill:
Rutledge avenue, west side, from Tradd
street north; Ashley avenue, west side,
from Tradd to North; Orange street, east
side, from Broad to Tradd; Gadsden street,
both sides, from Beaufain to Bull; Ashley
avenue, west side, from Cannon to Spring;
Rutledge avenue, west side, from Spring
street north.
Granite block roadways have been laid
in Ann street, from King to Meeting;
John street, from King to Meeting; John
street, from Meeting to Elizabeth.
New stone curb and old curb have been
reset in the following streets:
New curb:
Cumberland street, 275 feet; Lightwood
street, 307 feet; John street, 586 feet.
Old curb reset:
Church street, 346 feet: Coming" street,
828 feet; Concord street, 99 feet; Charlotte
street, 134 feet; Cannon street, 371 feet;
Broad street, 96 feet; Ladson street, 48
feet; Market street, 212 feet; Meeting
street, 429 feet; Meeting, corner John, 96
feet; Queen street, 398 feet; Rutledge ave¬
nue, 430 feet; Tradd street, 186 feet; Wall
street, 448 feet; Washington street, 103 feet.
The following flagstone sidewalks have
been laid during the year:
Ashton street, north side, between Nor¬
man and Chestnut, 435 square feet, full
flag.
Ashton street, Norman and Chestnut,
1,763 square feet, 3-feet flag.
Cannon street, south side, between Rut¬
ledge and Ashley, 1,046 square feet, 3-feet
flag.
Charlotte street, north side, between
Alexander and Washington, 1,661 square
feet, full flag.
Coming street, east side, between Cal¬
houn and Vanderhorst, 4,071 square feet,
full flag.
Jasper street, west side, between Rad¬
cliffe and Morris, 1,180 square feet, S-feet
flag.
King street, west side, opposite Ladson
street, 1,314 square feet, full flag.
Ladson street, south side, east of King
street, 800 square feet, full flag.
Legare street, east side, south of Tradd,
176 square feet, full flag.
Lightwood street, south side, between
37
Church and Meeting streets, 1,448 square
feet, full flag.
Meeting street, east side, between Co¬
lumbus and Line, 3,949 square feet, full
flag.
Norman street, west side, between
Spring and Ashton, 676 square feet, 3-feet
flag.
Queen street, south side, between Meet¬
ing and Church, 2,070 square feet, full flag.
Rutledge avenue, east side, between
Spring and Bogard, 3,089 square feet, full
flag.
Thomas street, west side, between Van-
derhorst and Radcliffe, 1,530 square feet,
3-feet flag.
Tradd street, north side, between Logan
and New, 3.495 square feet, full flag.
Wall street, west side, between Calhoun
and Laurens streets, 3,052 square feet, full
flag.
There were 2,265 square yards brick
sidewalks laid in Church, Hasell, Broad,
Logan, Limehouse, Laurens, Cumberland,
State and Tradd streets.
There were 777 square yards brick gate¬
ways laid in Pitt, Bee, Church, East Bay,
Chapel, Hasell, Logan, Ashley, Lime-
house, Laurens, Cumberland, State, Mar¬
ket, Broad, Anson, King. Ladson, Ash-
mead Place, Tradd, Wall, Thomas. Queen,
Meeting, Rutledge, Charlotte, Coming.
Lightwood, Vanderhorst, Cannon and
Ashton streets.
The scavenger department has removed
39,085 loads of trash from the streets, as
follows: January 1,318, February 1,555,
March 3,123. April 2,655, May 2,843, June
3,845, July 2,542, August 15 1,356. Total
19,237. Garbage 19,085. Total 39,085.
A macadam road was built in St Philip
street, between Radcliffe and Morris
streets.
The pyrites roadway was taken up in
St Philip and Archdale streets and gravel
cement was put down in its place.
A new brick drain was built at the foot
of Tradd street, extending from Rutledge
Svenue and North street to West Point
nil.
The Postoffice.
During the past year the new Postoffice
has been completed and is considered one
of the handsomest structures to be found
In any city. Postmaster Albert H. Mowry
has kept up his usual efficient manage¬
ment of the office. The service rendered
to the people has been very near perfect
and not one complaint has been made.
The following statistics are furnished
by the postmaster, showing the large
amount of business done during the past
year:
For the year ending June 30, 1896, the
gross receipts from the sale of stamps,
envelopes, etc, amounted to $100,963 40, of
which the net profit to the United States
Government was $38,775 13, being an ex¬
cess of about 10 per cent over the year
ending June 30, 1895.
The receipts and payments from do¬
mestic and international money orders
and certificates of deposit issued to post¬
masters was $989,382. The amount re¬
mitted to the postmaster at New York
was $525,500. Total receipts from postal
business, $100,963 40; total receipts and pay¬
ments of money order business, $989,382;
grand total of the combined receipts and
payments of both postal and money order
business amounted to $1,090,345 40.
There was quite an increase in the
money order branch of the service over
the preceding year.
Seventy thousand and twenty pieces of
all classes of matter were handled by the
register department for the year ending
June 30, 1896.
There are in all 71 employees at this
office and also 26 railway postal clerks
that are paid off at the Charleston office.
The number of pieces of mail matter
handled during the year was about 18,000,-
000, of which the carriers alone handled
9,000,000 pieces, being an average of about
400,000 to each carrier.
There are now 123 letter and package
boxes in the city.
Business at sub-station No 1, at the
corner of King and Wentworth streets,
and sub-station No 2, at 567 King street,
continues to increase, and the public ap¬
preciate the postal facilities afforded by
these stations, ladies in particular.
There are 15 stamp agencies convenient¬
ly situated throughout the city, and they
are especially convenient, scattered as
they are, and are appreciated by all
classes of the citizens.
Postmaster Mowry has certainly done a
great work in the manner in which the
Charleston Postoffice is conducted. He is
the custodian of the entire building, and
from the day he took charge has kept
everything as neat as a pin. From the
third floor to the basement a squad of
hands are regularly employed whose
duties are to remove every particle of dust
and dirt that gathers in the building. The
custodian's help consists of nine men,
divided into squads of two each. They
work from 6 A. M. to 6 P. M., and con¬
tinually find something to do. Mr Mowry
personally inspects the men and deserves
much credit for their good work.
The Young Men's Business League.
The Young Men's Business League is in
the second year of its existence. It has
accomplished much good work for
Charleston since it was organized. One
of the most successful undertakings of
the League during the past year was the
entertainment of the South Carolina Con¬
federate Veterans. A large number of
visitors came to the city during Veteran
Week and they all returned home highly
pleased at their reception by the good
people of Charleston. The executive
board of the League and its standing com¬
mittees are ready at all times to take hold
of and actively push any and all enter¬
prises which will benefit the city by the
investment of capital and the employment
of labor. The organization is live and
active and promises to be a material help
in all matters that pertain to the welfare
and prosperity of the city. Parties desir¬
ing information in regard to the advan¬
tages offered here for any special enter-
8
prise will receive prompt replies by ad¬
dressing the secretary, Mr T. T. Hyde.
Mr W. H. Welch is president of the
League and Mr Wilson G. Harvey, Jr, is
treasurer.
Sullivan's Island.
Charleston's beautiful seaside suburb
has been unusually gay in the summer
just passing. The cottages, and there are
hundreds of them, were all occupied.
Some new summer homes have been built
and many improvements made to those
already there. The big hotel has had a
most successful and brilliant season.
There have been races and dances, surf
bathing, cycling, boating and fishing. The
Island has never before been so gay.
The extensive work now in progress by
the Government, the erection of mortar
batteries, etc, has attracted no little at¬
tention and Islanders are now speculat¬
ing with pleasure on the time when
"Uncle Sam" will garrison either Fort
Moultrie or the "new fort" which is to
be. and when there will be "dress parade,"
"Post band concerts" and military
hops.
THE RAILROAD SITUATION.
Changes and Conditions which Promise
Great Things for Charleston in the New
Year.
Many changes of interest and events of
far reaching significance in traffic affairs
have marked the history of railroad mat¬
ters during the period covered by this
Review. For the most part the brood lines
upon which systems and roads were es¬
tablished have remained unchanged; but
influences which became operative a
month ago have become more defined, ani¬
mosities which had been smoldering for
many months have burst into active force,
friends and connections of long standing
have become estranged and other evi¬
dences are presented that traffic affairs in
this section are not only in a most un¬
settled condition, but that radical changes
are imminent if not necessary before mat¬
ters may be readjusted upon a permanent
basis of mutual advantage to interested
lines and to the satisfaction of the pub¬
lic.
Yfhen the last Annual Review was pub¬
lished the railroads had just emerged from
a most disastrous traffic war; the Asso¬
ciation in which in former years they were
all vitally concerned had just been reor¬
ganized upon broader, more equitable and
more reasonable lines and the destinies of
Southern traffic had in a measure been
confided to Col H. S. Haines, as its com¬
missioner. The concessions secured from
the old Association under stress of the
fear which it felt of Federal condemna¬
tion soon proved too frail a basis upon
which to establish a permanent truce be¬
tween warring traffic interests. The ab¬
solute domination which the Southern sys¬
tem had obtained over the old Association
soon began to reassert itself in the new
organization. The Seaboard Air Line
quickly recognized that it could not hope
for adequate protection under the lenient
agreement of the new Association more
tnan under the rigorous laws of its prede¬
cessors. It withdrew. At first no open
conflict followed, but after a time the dif¬
ferences of former years reasserted them¬
selves and a bitter rupture ensued. The
weaker lines for the most part sought the
protection of the Association, but there
were some few of them that while not al¬
lying themselves with the fortunes of the
Seaboard, maintained neutral ground out¬
side of the Association.
This was the condition of affairs when
another disastrous rate war broke out.
This conflict between the lines will be fa¬
mous in the annals of railroad affairs by
reason of the fact that it brought about
a case before ihe Federal Courts, which
had no parallel in the text books or the au¬
thorities of the legal profession. The case
is of such recent hearing that little need be
said about it now, but this resume would
be incomplete without some detailed ref¬
erence to it. The fundamental question
at issue was the jurisdiction of the Courts
to interfere with railroad lines to prevent
them from cutting rates and engaging in
rate wars alleged to be legitimate meas¬
ure® of competition and self-protection.
In as few words as possible the case pre¬
sented was as follows:
The Seaboard Air Line system, alleging
that the Southern system established a line
of steamers on the Chesapeake Bay for
no better purpose than to injure its con¬
nections, retaliated by making a cut of
33 1-3 per cent in existing rates from the
East to Southern interior points. The
fight of the Southern was taken up by thq.
Southern States Freight Association., of
which the Southern system is a member,
After some delay the Association met and
ordered a cut of 80 per cent in the rates.
Many minor details in rate cutting were
subsequently developed, but these, in a
few words, are the points of the war.
After the Association had ordered its cut
of 80 per cent the Port Royal and Au¬
gusta Road, which is a member of that
organization, applied to Judge Simonton,
through its receiver, Col J. H. Averill, for
an order restraining both sides from con¬
tinuing the rate war. A temporary in-
juncfion was granted. The order at first
commanded an immediate restoration of
the old rates, but it was subsequently
modified so as to allow the Seaboard Air
Line time in which to give the ten days'
notice required by law of its purpose to
raise its rates. The time set for hearing
the case was the 15th of August, and the
place was the United States Court House
in Greenville. An imposing array of legal
talent assembled there at the appointed
time. The hearing lasted for several days.
Judge Simonton declared that the first
point to be considered was the jurisdiction
of the Court, and the arguments were for
the most part confined. to that point.
The Court declined to assume jurisdiction
for several reason, and the bill was dis¬
missed. This left the roads at liberty to
resume hostile measures and they were
not slow to exercise the prerogative. With-
39
in a few weeks the Seaboard Air Line has
re-estabiisbed its cut of 33 1-3 per cent in
the rates from the East to interior South¬
ern points, and the Association has fol¬
lowed suit. The war is still on when this
I-teview goes to press, and the final out¬
come of it is a matter of surmise. No mat¬
ter which one of the contending parties
wins the fight, the result will be of mo¬
mentous importance to Southern traffic.
It is even predicted that more than one
line will be thrown into the hands of a re¬
ceiver should the war continue. It seems
to be very apparent that the Seaboard and
the Southern each seeks the destruction
of the other.
A detail of public interest and of future
general importance, which has been
brought out by the war and the case in
Court which grew out of it, is the Sea¬
board Air Line's contention that the rates
from New York to interior Southern
points have heretofore been far too high
if not actually exorbitant. It has been
•declared that the war rate does not merely
represent a temporary cut in prices, but
that it places the rate upon an equitable
basis for the first time in the history of
Southern traffic. If the fight between the
lines does no more than this, it will have
brought about a result which will prove
of incalculable benefit to the section; a
result which will inure to the advantage
and upbuilding of the business and com¬
merce of the South.
Elsewhere in this Review extended men¬
tion is made of the purpose to build a road
from Charleston to the West, an enterprise
which will exert a potent influence upon
the traffic of the South in the future. A
new system of Westward going lines which
will traverse territory for a long time oc¬
cupied and absolutely controlled by old es¬
tablished companies will necessarily result
in changing the trend of affairs.
The South Carolina and Georgia Road
until now Charleston's main dependence
for communication with the business cen¬
tres of the interior has continued for the
most part the even tenor of its ways. Dur¬
ing the spring a serious rupture between
it and the Georgia Road, its closest ally
and connection, was threatened. At one
time it seemed probable that the two com¬
panies would be permanently alienated
from one another. The Georgia Road went
to the length of seeking an alliance with
the Port Royal and Augusta, and the Plant
system, and the South Carolina and Geor¬
gia Road began to look to the formation of
closer relations with the Central and other
lines. In fact it seemed certain at one
time that a new traffic route, consisting of
the Plant system, the Port Royal and Au¬
gusta and ihe Georgia Road, would be
formed. But all talk of the kind has since
died out.
The Plant system and the Atlantic
Coast Line have continued to work togeth¬
er in harmony, and no important change
has taken place or been threatened in the
management or control of either of them.
The Atlantic Coast Line has met active
competition for the Northern tourist travel
from ibr> new rou<e made up by the
Southern and the Florida Central and
Peninsular systems, but the first mentioned
system has been enabled by vigilance and
enterprise to maintain the supremacy
which was threatened by the decreases
mileage of its competitor.
The purchase of the Port Royal and
Western Carolina and the Port Royal and
Augusta roads, which have for some years
been in the hands of receivers and their
consolidation under a new name, and one
management by Messrs Thomas & Ryan,
the well-known railroad operators, is a
subject of importance and interest. The
enterprise projected by these gentlemen
was menaced at the outset by the fact that
they were concerned in and allied with
the Southern. Upon this ground their pur¬
chase of these properties was opposed in
the United States Courts, and Judge Si-
monton, before whom the matter was
heard, very wisely required Messrs Ryan
& Ryan to purge themselves of the
suspicion resting upon them. They re¬
signed directorships held in the Southern,
they disposed of their holdings in its secur¬
ities and they gave saisfactory assurances
to the Court that they had severed what¬
ever connection had existed between them¬
selves and the Southern system. They
volunteered the assurance that their new¬
ly acquired lines would be converted into
an independent system to be known as the
Charleston and Western, and that it would
be operated for its own and the interests
of its constituents. It was some months
subsequent to the discussion of these mat¬
ters that corroborative evidence of the
good faith of the purchasers of the prop¬
erty was given in the formation of an al¬
liance made by them with the projectors
of the proposed Charleston and Macon
Line.
The Carolina Midland Road, which has
heretofore invariably received mention in
the Review, now no longer exists in an in¬
dividual capacity. The road has become
the lessee of the Greenwood, Anderson
and Western Company. Extended notice
is made elsewhere of the aims of this
corporation, which is now engaged in ex¬
tending its leased line to Batesburg, and
which will play an important part in the
proposed Charleston and Macon system.
The projectors of the Greenwood, Ander¬
son and Western comtemplate extending
their line certainly to the western limits
of South Carolina, and probably to some
initial point in the Mississippi Valley, a.
fact which must command for it much
public interest in the future.
Much discussion has arisen in recent
months over a determined effort making
in and out of the Courts to settle posi¬
tively the control and ownership of the
Central of Georgia system. The question
is one of wide reaching import in traffic
matters, and the evident disposition to
keep some, if not all, of the facts back
from the public has given it an interest
which it might not otherwise have pos¬
sessed. The real question at issue is the
determination of the extent to which the
Southern system and its people are con¬
cerned in the Central and its manage¬
ment. During the year the Central was
taken out of the hands of its receivers
and reorganized, Ex-Receiver H. M.
Comer becoming president of the new
company. The investigations have brought
to light indubitable proof of the fact that
the stock of the company is owned and
controlled by Messrs Ryan & Thomas,
40
and efforts are now making to put Presi¬
dent Spencer, of the Southern, on the
stand for the purpose of making him tell
as much as possible of what he knows
about the Central as it now stands. The
result of this investigation will be watched
closely by the business interests of the
entire section traversed by the Central
and its connecting lines.
Any review of Charleston's traffic rela¬
tions, present and future, would be in¬
complete without mention of the line of
steamers which the South Carolina and
Georgia Road has declared its purpose to
establish between this city and Europe.
It had been hoped that this great enter¬
prise would have been well advanced by
now, but adverse circumstances have
forced the company to move more slowly
than it had hoped to do. The project is
by no means abandoned, however, and as
soon as the extensive improvements in
its terminals here have been completed
the road will doubtless revive its efforts
to give Charleston those European con¬
nections without which her commerce and
business must remain hopelessly ham¬
pered.
The South Carolina and Georgia Railroad.
Under its present ownership and direc¬
tion the South Carolina and Georgia Rail¬
road deservedly retains the name "The
Old Reliable." To this sobriquet it has
added the additional one of "The Charles¬
ton Line," to which it is entitled in con¬
sideration of its efforts to build up the
business of the city, and to furnish her
people with quick and safe transportation
for both passenger and freight traffic. This
new trade mark is now being extensively
advertised throughout the South and
West, a piece of enterprise which is bene¬
ficial to the city no less than to the road
itself.
The South Carolina and Georgia Rail¬
road has its headquarters and its shops
in Charleston, and these facts are impor¬
tant to the city. Through these means
the road contributes to the support of a
large number of people and is a material
source of revenue to the local retail and
wholesale traders. It is, therefore, a source
of gratification to have the road guided by
men of large means and larger experience,
and, what is proving of value to Charles¬
ton, an energy based upon the fullest faith
in the future of the city. These gentlemen
have the power to provide every possible
facility which may be required in the solu¬
tion of the grave problem of how best to
develop the resources and to utilize the
advantages which Charleston possesses in
such large measure over all other South
Atlantic ports.
During the last year the road has taken
a long step toward the development of its
own and the advantages of the city by the
purchase of valuable wharf property upon
the Cooper River, and by thus providing
itself with ample terminal facilities upon
the water front. The movement which led
to this was started shortly after the last
Annual Review of The News and Cou¬
rier was published. The management of
the road made known to the city its plane,
and asked for extensive rights of way
through the streets. This request was
granted with modifications and the road
at once built the extension, which en¬
abled it to deliver its own freight to ships
lying in its own docks.
The extension referred to is through
Chapel street to Washington street,
through Washington to Laurens street,
and thence to the newly purchased
wharves, a block bounded by Laurens
street on the north, Washington street
on the west and Society street on the
south and the Cooper River on the east.
At the corner of Washington and Chapel
streets crossings have been made, giving
the road tracks into its property to the
east of Washington street and south of
Chapel street.
The wharf property purchased by the
road includes the wharves and properties
of the Marine Storage Company, Preg-
nall's Marine Wharf and the Planters'
and Merchants' Rice Mill property. This
gives the road a very valuable property,
in the improvement of which it is now
spending a large sum of money.
Wharf No 1. located on the tract for¬
merly owned by the Marine Storage Com¬
pany, has been thoroughly renovated. On
it there has just been built an extensive
ware house, 80 by 350 feet. The wharf
itself is 80 by 410 feet.
A new wharf, 75 by 300 feet, is being
built east of the old rice mill. The mill
building proper is being converted into
a grain elevator, which will have storage
room for 225,000 bushels of grain. Another
improvement contemplated by the com¬
pany is the construction of a large cotton
compress on the bulkhead of Wharf No 4,
better known as the rice mill property.
Wharves 2 and 3 will also be improved.
The South Carolina and Georgia Road
has also given some attention to its Ash¬
ley River property. The wharves there
have been greatly improved by an ex¬
tension of 100 feet on the river,
largely increasing the facilities of the
road for handling lumber, ties, fertilizer
materials, phosphate rock, etc, etc. When
all of these improvements are complete
the road will have at its disposal terminal
facilities amply sufficient to handle a
business double that of the City of
Charleston. The money that the road has
thus spent in the city within a few months
is a convincing proof of the faith which
the owners of the South Carolina and
Georgia Road have in Charleston. They
feel that the interests of their road are
so closely identified with those of Charles¬
ton that whatever benefits one must in¬
evitably be to the advantage of the other.
The following statement shows the
business of the road during the year end¬
ing June 30, 1896:
FREIGHT TRAFFIC.
1894-95. 1895-96.
Eastward tonnage 444,272 413,369
Westward tonnage 215,065 206,684
Total...- 659,337 620,053
PASSENGER TRAFFIC.
1894-95. 1895-96.
Number passengers carried..252,084 367,888
41
MOVEMENT OF FREIGHT.
1894-95. 1895-96.
Barrels flour 220,299 189,648
Bushels grain 1,163,410 1,068,000
Feet lumber 6,956,250 10,931,069
Tons fertilizer and phos¬
phate rock 125,892 151,355
RECEIPTS OF COTTON.
1894-95. 1895-96.
Bales 281,349 208,667
Charleston and Savannah Railway.
The Charleston and Savannah Railway,
a division of the Great Plant System, has
in the past year brought into this city
thousands of tourists and thousands of
tons of freights, besides keeping Charles¬
ton in touch with its seaport sister, Savan¬
nah. The Charleston and Savannah Road
is especially equipped and generously man¬
aged. There is not a better roadbed in
the State and the trains operated are come
fortable and handsome, with quick and
convenient schedules. The company does
a large business handling truck and the
spur road to Young's Island has done
much for the sea island farmers by pro¬
viding quick and safe transit for their
products.
The business of the company through
the year has been excellent. The project
of bringing the Charleston and Savannah
directly into the city on its own line,
which has been talked of and hoped for in
the past, is not probably abandoned, but
has remained in statu quo. Charleston
still expects to see the splendid through
trains of the Plant system coming direct¬
ly into the city, although it may be some
little time before this is an accomplished
fact.
Northeastern Railroad.
The Northeastern Railroad is and al¬
ways will be a most important factor in
the commerce of Charleston. The road is
controlled by the Atlantic Coast Line,
though it is operated individually. With
little local territory of its own it relies for
its success in a large measure upon the
business which it receives from its con¬
nections. Forming a part of the oldest
and greatest through route between Flor¬
ida and the North the road participates
in the profits accruing from the enormous
freight and passenger traffic flowing be¬
tween the East and the extreme South
Atlantic board. It shares, therefore, in
the winter tourist travel to and from Flor¬
ida, and it is one of the chief mediums
in marketing the products of the rich veg¬
etable farms which stretch all along the
coast from Charleston to the Gulf.
During the past year the Northeastern
Road has kept up in every particular with
the progress of railroading. Its equipment
and service are equal to the best. It has
now in Charleston one of the largest and
finest freight depots in the South.
The Cliai'le»t«»n, Sutnter and Northern.
The Charleston, Sumter and Northern
Road is no longer known under that name.
The last Annual Review of The News and
Courier announced that it had been taken
out of the hands of its receiver and sold
to the Atlantic Coast Line. Following its
well known policy that system has merged
the various sections of the road with con¬
veniently situated branches of its own line.
The individuality of the Charleston, Sum¬
ter and Northern has consequently been
lost in the working of the greater sys¬
tem. In the hands of the Atlantic Coast
Line greater prosperity than it had ever
known before has come to the road. Its
geographical location was such that it was
a natural feeder to the Coast Line roads,
and the sale of the road promises to be
beneficial alike to the purchasers and the
security holders.
The Ashley River Railroad.
This line and its branches have passed
through the year successfully and without
serious accident. The management has
continued to develop the property steadily
and it is more valuable to-day than it
has ever been in its history. The Ashley
River Road consists of the line which runs
the Northeastern station out to Ash¬
ley Junction together with numerous valu¬
able spurs which connect it with the vari¬
ous manufacturing concerns and phos¬
phate plants located on Charleston Neck.
Each of the branch lines has proved a
valuable feeder not only to the Ashley
River Railroad, but to the City of Charles¬
ton as well, and in the city's growth and
development they must always be con¬
sidered as a considerable factor.
OCR A/; U II A V TO THE WES".
The Security Construction Company and
the Charleston and Macon Railroad.
Had the year brought to Charleston no
other development than the consummation
of her long cherished dream of an inde¬
pendent line of railroads to the West the
commercial and business interests of the
city might have well been content with
what had been accomplished. Such an en¬
terprise, in one shape or another, has
been in contemplation for nearly half a
century, but it remained for the present
generation to give it positive and success¬
ful embodiment. Within a few months the
Charleston and Macon Railroad Company
has been formed, has found the money suf¬
ficient for the purposes of its undertak¬
ing, and has made contracts which will re¬
sult in the construction of its tracks.
Within a few days ground will be broken
by the workmen and in less than six
months Charleston will have a railroad
projected, owned and built by herself,
reaching out into the interior of the State.
After the lapse of another brief period the
same line will have been extended into
the heart of the most productive and fer¬
tile district of Georgia, and will be oper¬
ating in conjunction with other lines and
systems in a manner which will procure
for the city such advantageous traffic ar¬
rangements and railroad facilities as she
has never before enjoyed.
42
While many men have proposed many
different plans of providing' the city with
the Western connections, so urgently de¬
manded by her trade and commerce, to Mr
A. J. Swanitz, the engineer of the new
road, is due the credit of first suggesting
the enterprise which has since proved to
be feasible and successful. It was back in
1893 that Mr Swanitz induced a number of
Charleston business men to organize them¬
selves into a committee for the purpose of
promoting the building of a road from
this city to Macon, Georgia. This com¬
mittee had a preliminary horseback sur¬
vey made, and carefully prepared report
upon the plan suggested was submitted by
Mr Swanitz, with many interesting maps
attached. This report was printed, and
charters were obtained both for the
Charleston and Macon Road and for the
Security Construction Company, the ac¬
tual medium through which the road was
finally placed in process of construction.
The financial crisis which occurred during
the summer of 1893, however, caused the
promoters of the enterprise to abandon
temporarily their undertaking.
In the spring of 1895 Mr G. Walter Mc-
Iver, after a conference with several
prominent business men, issued a call for
leading citizens to meet at the Charleston
Hotel for the general purpose of discuss¬
ing the possibility of buildng a road which
would give the city better connections
with the West. Before this meeting ad¬
journed it had been determined to organ¬
ize a construction company, the object of
which would be the building of such a
road as was desired.
It took several weeks to fully develop
the enterprise, but wherever the subject
was mooted it met with the unqualified
endorsement of the business interests of
the city. Committees of prominent gen¬
tlemen were appointed, and the work of
raising the required funds for the com¬
pany was begun. The amount of money
required was $300,000, and while this full
amount was not raised, enough of the
stock was taken to make the company
effect a permanent organization, and to
prepare itself for the great work before
it. Mr George A. Wagener was chosen
president, and Mr Morris Israel vice presi¬
dent of the organization, and the follow¬
ing board of directors were elected:
Messrs John F. Ficken, Charles H. Dray¬
ton, R. Goodwyn Rhett, J. Adger Smyth,
Waring P. Carrington, T. R. McGahan,
William M. Bird, C. Wulbern and John C.
Simonds. Among the stockholders of the
company are all of the most enterprising
men of the city.
The Security Construction Company
made application for the Cannonsboro
Mill site, which was granted it by City
Council upon certain terms, and the di¬
rectors of the company then began to
look around for the means of carrying out
their great undertaking with the limited
means at their disposal. Fortunately
both the Carolina Midland or, as its les¬
sor is now called, the Greenwood, Ander¬
son and Western, and the new system be¬
ing formed by Messrs Thomas & Ryan,
desired an entrance into the city. Nego¬
tiations were begun with these parties
which finally terminated most happily.
While the board of directors of the Se¬
curity Construction Company has worked
in harmony, all of the members doing
good work for the enterprise, to Messrs
Geo A. Wagener, Morris Israel and R.
Goodwyn Rhett is due much of the credit
for perfecting the plans for building the
new road. These gentlemen went to New
York as a special committee from their
company. They remained in that city for
several days in consultation with Messrs
Thomas & Ryan, the owners and man¬
agers of the Greenwood, Anderson and
Western, and Messrs W. B. Strang & Co.,
the contractors engaged in the construc¬
tion of the extension of that line. The
result of these negotiations was a plan
for building the Charleston and Macon
Road. The public has been informed of
the main features of the agreement which
was entered into. Charleston was to take
$300,000 worth of 5 per cent bonds of the
new company; Messrs Strang & Co be¬
came the contractors for the new line
which was to be built to Allendale, S. C.,
within a given period; Messrs Thomas
& Ryan entered into a trackage agree¬
ment with it, and Col Mike Brown, on be¬
half of the Greenwood, Anderson and
Western, signed a close traffic
agreement with the new road. In
addition to this a guarantee was
given that the line would be
extended to Macon or some other central
point in Georgia within two years.
The people of this city are familiar with
the history of the splendid manner in
which the capitalists of Charleston re¬
sponded to the request that they should
invest their money in the bonds of the
new company. The bankers of the city
met and recommended the investment,
and many of them subscribed for large
blocks of the securities. Then an appeal
was made to private citizens. The finan¬
cial situation in the country was greatly
affected by reason of political agitation,
and there was great unrest and uneasi¬
ness in the money market at the time this
appeal was made, but, in spite of these
facts, Charleston vindicated her reputa¬
tion as a city in which there is
plenty of money at the disposal of
sound undertakings by subscribing for
the required amount of bonds with¬
in two or three days. This insured
the building of the road, and the develop¬
ment of the plans which had been so well
prepared by the special committee sent
to New York. Some time has been con¬
sumed in drawing up the detailed agree¬
ments with the contractors. Mr Swanitz
was employed as the chief engineer of the
company, and the work of surveying the
route of the new road was promptly
begun. Four parties of engineers were
put in the field; many lines were drawn
and investigated, and much valuable and
useful information was obtained. The
preliminary surveys have now been com¬
pleted and within a very few days after
the Annual Review appears the actual
work of construction will be begun.
Within three months after ground has
been first broken the road will be com¬
pleted to Allendale.
The importance of this undertaking can¬
not be exaggerated. It will give Charles-
43
ion the controlling interest in a system of
railroad which will reach into the upper
end of South Carolina, which will touch
initial points of freight distribution in
Georgia, and which will provide the city
with those traffic connections with the
West without which her trade and com¬
merce have been hopelessly crippled in the
past. This new system of roads will com¬
prise by actual ownership and by close
traffic arrangements six hundred miles of
rails. It will have the support of the new
system, being formed by Messrs Thomas
& Ryan. It will work in close union and
harmony with the Greenwood, Anderson
and Western, and it will ultimately have
two hundred miles of track of its own.
The first link in this chain will be the
road to Allendale. This will be eighty odd
miles in length.
A notice of this enterprise would be in¬
complete without some extended mention
being made of the Greenwood, Anderson
and Western Road, which in the future is
destined to be an important factor in the
upbuilding of Charleston. A few months
ago Col Mike Brown formed a company
which leased with the privilege of pur¬
chasing the old Carolina Midland Road.
It was proposed to extend the road at
once from Sievern to Batesburg, and work
on this branch was begun at once and is
now completed. The company has plans
for building to Greenwood in the near
future and the ultimate purpose is to
make a Western terminus either in Green¬
ville or Anderson. Much interest is taken
in this enterprise by the people of the
Piedmont section of the State, and there
seems to be no doubt that the undertaking
of this company will be carried through
successfully upon the lines indicated.
The assurance that the Charleston and
Macon Road is to be built places a new
face upon the commercial future of
Charleston. A new confidence has been
, inspired in trade, merchants and business
men are more confident and hopeful than
they have been in years and all indications
point to better and more prosperous times.
THE FKEH.HT B UREA U.
Its Splendid Work for Charleston's Busi¬
ness During the Past Year.
The work accomplished by the Charles¬
ton Freight Bureau during the first year
of its existence has been most gratifying
to those who were active in its organiza¬
tion. The results of its efforts under the
adverse conditions with which it has had
to contend, combating a system of rates
that had been in existence for years, many
features of which were apparently created
for the special benefit of other trade cen¬
tres and sections, and therefore operating
to the injury of the commerce of Charles-
ten, have been all that could be expected.
What has been accomplished in the way
of removing freight rate discriminations,
and in advocating before the highest of¬
ficials of the various railroads of this sec¬
tion the city's rights to fair freight rate
adjustments, fully vindicates the wisdom
of having established this institution. That
Charleston is gaining recognition from the
railways and from the freight associations
controlling the traffic of the Southeast,
through the persistent work of its Freight
Bureau, has been made manifest in many
ways. During the past year conferences
have been held at Charleston by the
Freight Bureau with the managing of¬
ficials of different railways, and with the
commissioner of the Southern States
Freight Association, placing before them
the claims of Charleston for better freight
rate adjustments. At these conferences
not only the manager and the commission¬
ers of the Bureau have been present, but
representatives of the different commer¬
cial organizations of the city appointed to
act in concert with the Freight Bureau.
A synopsis of some of the work accom¬
plished by the Bureau, partly compiled
from its annual report submitted to City
Council last November, is submitted in the
following:
Protesting against the boycott of the
Seaboard Air Line by other roads in the
spring of 1895, and rendering inoperative
the boycott on business between Charles¬
ton and this line, thus preventing a dis¬
continuance of traffic at a time when there
was a heavy movement of freight, partic¬
ularly fertilizers, between stations on that
line and Charleston.
Tourist Rates.—Securing tourist rates
from Washington to Charleston.
Sugar Rates.—Reduction in sugar rates
from Charleston to all points in South
Carolina, north of Columbia.
Cotton Rates.—Reduction in cotton rates
from the Port Royal and Augusta Railway
to Charleston.
Rice Rates.—Reduction in rice rates from
Charleston to the Port Royal and West¬
ern Carolina Railway.
Wood Rates.—Reduction in wood rates
from Ferguson, S. C., to Charleston.
Blood and Tankage Rates.—Reduction in
rates on blood and tankage from Chicago
and other Western centres to Charleston.
Having connection between the Atlan¬
tic Coast Line and the South Carolina
and Georgia Railway at Pregnall's, per¬
mitting full intercourse with the section
south of Sumter and Charleston.
Starch Rates.—Reduction in starch rates
from Charleston to Georgia and Alabama.
Cotton Ties.—Reduction in rates on cot¬
ton ties to Georgia and Alabama.
Cement Rates.—Equalization of cement
rates between South Atlantic ports and
New Orleans.
Class Rates.—Reduction in class rates
to Nashville, Tenn.
Rice Rates.—Reduction in rice rates to
Chicago and Chicago territory.
Fertilizer Rates.—Reduction in fertilizer
rates to North Carolina, Georgia and Ala¬
bama.
Class Rates.—Reduction in class rates
between Fayetteville and Charleston.
Fertilizer Rates.—Reduction in fertilizer
rates from Charleston to Ohio and Mis¬
sissippi River crossings and points north
thereof.
Prepayment of Freight.—Abolishing the
rule of the Plant system requiring prepay¬
ment of freight to all stations on the
Charleston and Savannah division.
Class Rates.—Reduction in all class rates
44
between Charleston and points on the At¬
lantic Coast Line in South Carolina, and
North Carolina points.
Cotton Seed Oil—Reduction in cotton seed
oil rates from Marion, N. C., and from
other points.
Class Rates.—Reduction in class rates
between stations on the Columbia, New¬
berry and Laurens Railway and Charles¬
ton.
Coal Oil Rates.—Reduction in classifica¬
tion of coal oil in South Carolina from
third to fourth class.
Flour, Grain and Hay Rates.—Reduction
in these rates from Ohio and Mississippi
River points and from Tennessee to
Charleston.
Fertilizer Rates.—Further reduction in
fertilizer rates from Charleston to points
west of the Ohio River.
Salt Rates.—Reduction in salt rates to
points on the Georgia, Midland and Gulf
division of the Southern Railway.
Bagging Rates.—Reduction in bagging
rates to points on the Georgia, Midland
and Gulf division of the Southern Rail¬
way.
From the foregoing the active work of
the Bureau can be appreciated. Through
matters the Bureau now has under way
much ultimate good is bound to come.
It can be asserted confidently that in the
past the combined efforts of all our com¬
mercial organizations have never done so
much to attract the attention of the rail¬
way managers to Charleston as has been
done by the well directed efforts of the
Bureau since its organization.
It was due almost entirely to the efforts
of Manager Smith, of the Bureau, that the
session of the South and West Grain and
Trade Congress, held here last April, was
so complete a success, where the meet¬
ing held six months before at Atlanta
was a complete failure and where but
slight interest was manifested in the pre¬
ceding annual meeting held at Mobile, Ala,
in March, 1895. Manager Smith was suc¬
cessful in getting interested in the work
of the Congress all of the railroads in
the Southeast, and the attendance at the
meeting of some of the most prominent
railway officials east of the Mississippi
River contributed greatly to its success.
It was freely asserted by delegates from
other cities, who had attended all the
meetings of the Congress, that the
Charleston meeting was the most suc¬
cessful one that had ever been held, and
that the papers read at the session here
were of a far higher order and more in¬
structive than those read at any previous
session.
Charleston, in a commercial way, hae
undoubtedly been more widely and better
advertised through its Grain and Trade
Congress than through any event that has
occurred here in the last three decades.
It is believed, too, that the holding of the
Congress here was the laying of the cor¬
ner-stone, as it were, of a large export
and import commerce through the port.
The time when this will commence can¬
not be much longer deferred.
AMONG THE III It ES.
The Western Union an»l its Facilities for
Doing Business.
The Western Union Telegraph Company-
has been enjoying an uninterrupted sea¬
son of prosperity for the last twelve
months and the facilities offered and the
completeness of the Charleston office are
not surpassed anywhere. The operating
department occupies a room 64 feet long
on the first floor, and the premises extend
from East Bay to State street in the rear,
a distance of 260 feet. In the rear of the
operating room is the battery room, con¬
taining 1,500 cells of battery, and back of
it are large store rooms and outbuildings
About thirty-five wires now in use enter
the office, and to accommodate all these
wires it takes six quartette tables at the
main office, besides two at the Exchange
office. The operating force has been in¬
creased and the typewriter has been
adopted. The business of the company is
large and steadily increasing. The com¬
pany employs a force of seventeen opera¬
tors, a bookkeeper, four clerks, eighteen
messenger boys, a lineman, battery man
and porter.
There is a branch office at the Cotton
Exchange, with wires direct to the Cotton
Exchanges of New York, Augusta, At¬
lanta, Columbia, Charlotte and Wilming¬
ton. The office also has direct communi¬
cations via cable with Liverpool and all
European points. The other branch of¬
fices of the company in the city are at the
Charleston Hotel, the Northeastern Rail¬
road station, in Chapel street, and at the
South Carolina and Georgia Railroad of¬
fices, corner of King and Ann streets.
The company uses the call box system
for its messenger service, and has about
185 boxes in operation in the city. Mana¬
ger O'Driscoll has also under his super¬
vision the synchronized clock service of
the Self-winding Clock Company, by
which each clock in the circuit is regu¬
lated at noon daily by the Observatory
clock at Washington over the wires of the
Western Union Telegraph Company.
Mr D. M. O'Driscoll continues in the
management of the office. He has occu¬
pied this position for many years, and
under his direction the Western Union has
always given the greatest satisfaction.
The Postal Telegraph and Cable Company
The Postal Telegraph and Cable Com¬
pany is doing a large and growing busi¬
ness. Mr M. S. Harris, the courteous and
45
popular manager, says that the business
of the line has increased at least 33 1-3 per
cent during- the last year. The main of¬
fice, which is at 13 Broad street, is fully
equipped with all necessary apparatus and
the! business is handled by a competent
force. The Postal is recognized as an
active competitor of the Western Union.
It takes pains to accommodate its patrons
and give them good service. During the
past year many new offices have been
opened in the South, and extensive work
is now being done in "wiring" the great
State of Texas thus adding to the complete¬
ness of the service. The Postal's main
office in this city is open until midnight
and the branch office at the St Charles
Hotel closes only a little earlier. The
Postal has a call box system and employs
a large number of messenger boys to gath¬
er and distribute messages.
The Telephone Exchange.
The Southern Bell Telephone Company
has in Charleston one of the best equipped
exchanges in the South, under the man¬
agement of Superintendent J. M. Fogle,
The service has been all that could be de¬
sired during the past twelve months and
the list of subscribers has increased con¬
siderably. There are about twenty-five em¬
ployees in the Exchange and the sys¬
tem, indoors and out, is about as near
perfect as can be obtained. The latest
improved switchboard has been intro¬
duced and will accommodate 1,000 subscrib¬
ers. A telephone line to Summerville. twen¬
ty-two miles, has been successful op¬
eration for some time, and is found a great
convenience. The company is also reach¬
ing out in other directions, and will before
long be in "speaking distance" of several
adjoining cities and towns. The lines to
the phosphate mills, from three to ten
miles distant, are in daily use, and are of
great value to the lessees and the pub¬
lic.
A burglar alarm system is run in con¬
nection with the Exchange, and a num¬
ber of the leading banks and other places
of business are guarded by the electric
current, which promptly notifies the watch
when a building is entered. This system
is also becoming popularized and a num¬
ber of new patrons have been placed re¬
cently under electric protection.
THE WEATHER IN CHARLESTON.
Annual Summary of Meteorological Ob¬
servations.
Made by the Urlted States Department of
Agriculture, Weather Bureau, (L. N. Jesuuof-
sky, Local Forecast Official,) during the
Charleston commercial year, endiDg Augusj
31,1896:
(Compiled for The News and Courier.)
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7
12
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7
10
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7
11
4
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14
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39
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1
69
70
70
69
81
80
81
51
55
53
60
72
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49
52
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86
82
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45
43
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82
80
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86
84
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77
79
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48
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78
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57
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66
68
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63
76
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70
71
71
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81
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81
74
74
74
74
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82
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73
73
73
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83
81
82
56
58
58
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81
79
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Humidity.
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78
76
76
76
77
75
72
72
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.275
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Cloudiness,
lOths
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•
a
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Mean.
20-year
Normal.
Total.
i
20-year
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i Greatest, In
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in 24 hours.
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-1
m
EDUCATION IN CHARLESTON.
The College of Charleston One of the Most
Thorough Schools in the South.
One of the finest institutions of this city
is the College of Charleston. It was found¬
ed in the last half of the last century,
and in point of scholastic merit ranks sec¬
ond in degree to no college in the United
States. Its trustees and professors have
always been men of mark, and its alumni
stand among the brightest, brainiest and
best men in the State. The College was
practically' founded in 1770, and ranks,
therefore, as the tenth oldest college in
the United States.
The first class was graduated in 1794,
and the names of those who received the
degree of bachelor of arts were: John
Callahan, Samuel Thomas, Isaac McPher-
son, Nathaniel Bowen, William Heyward,
John Lewis Gervais, valedictory.
Another item of interest in the early
history of the College occurred on No¬
vember 16, 1810, when the board, taking
into consideration the valuable services of
Mr Mitchell King in the College, and from
having competent experience in his eru¬
dition,
Resolved, That a diploma, constituting
him a bachelor of arts in the College be
conferred upon the said Mitchell King.
This considerate act was never forgot¬
ten by Judge King, and he remained a
substantial friend of the College to the
day of his death.
The Museum of the College, which i«
one of the best in the Southern States
was started by the renowned Louis R*
Agassiz in 1852. The work continued in
his hands for several years, and he was
succeeded by the well known scientist
Prof Francis S, Holmes, The successor
of Frof Holmes was the present learned
curator, Frof Gabriel E. Manigault, M. D.
To the painstaking and diligent work of
Dr Man gault is to be ascribed much of
rhe fame that the Museum has acquired
in these later years. The City Council
would do well to give a liberal appropria¬
tion annually to the development of this
school of natural history.
The College has a library of about twelve
thousand volumes of the most valuable
works, the donations of prominent gen¬
tlemen to the College.
The College will open in October next
under the hapniest auspices and with a
large roll of students.
Th«',Hi(;h School of Charleston.
This institution, which for more than
a half century has been actively doing its
part in advancing the educational inter¬
ests of the community, is in a very pros¬
perous condition. One hundred and eighty
boys were enrolled last year as pupils and
the outlook is promising for full classes
the coming year.
The beautiful and commodious annex,
erected by the last City Council, and the
provision made by the present Council
for new furniture, proper heating appa¬
ratus and other conveniences needed at
the school, have added largely to its ma¬
terial facilities, and the boys who attend
the school hereafter will have reason to
congratulate themselves upon the im¬
proved conditions under which they pur¬
sue their studies. The people of Charles¬
ton have always been deeply interested
in the cause of education, and the City
Fathers in dealing graciously with the
City High School have not only indicated
their own intelligent estimate of its value
to the community, but their action has
been in accord with the views of their con¬
stituents. It has voiced public opinion.
The work done at the school is second
to that of no preparatory school or acad¬
emy in the South. The teachers, most of
whom have for years been connected with
the school and in charge of its several
courses of study, are indefatigable and
enthusiastic in maintaining its already
high reputation. The boys who meet the
requirements of the school and receive
their diplomas as graduates are thorough¬
ly prepared to enter college or for busi¬
ness life. Those attending the College of
Charleston or pursuing their higher
studies in other colleges are recognized at
once by their professors as fully equipped
for the labors demanded of them, and
take position with the best in their classes.
Those who enter at once upon business
do so with minds well stored, well devel¬
oped, well disciplined, conditions essen¬
tial to success in life. No Charleston boy
need go elsewhere in quest of the best
educational advantages—he can find them
at home—and the boys living in other
parts of the State would do well, as some
of them have already done, to prepare for
college or for life at the High School of
Charleston.
The following gentlemen have consti¬
tuted for several years the faculty of the
school;
43
Virgil C. Dibble, principal and teacher
of mathematics.
Thomas della Torre, teacher of classics.
Walter M. Whitehead, teacher of Eng¬
lish and physics.
William H. Schaefer, teacher of Eng¬
lish and mathematics.
Clarence A. Graeser, teacher of French
and German.
Robert V. Royall, teacher of prepara¬
tory class.
F. P. Valdes, in charge of gymnasium.
Trustees—The Hon Julian Mitchell,
president; the Hon J. Adger Smyth,
Mayor; Dr H. Baer, the Rev C. C. Pinck-
ney, D. D., J. P. K. Bryan, the Rev E.
T. Horn, D. D., Col T. P. Lowndes, Col
Z. Davis, J. O. Beckmann.
The City Public Schools.
The work done by these popular schools
during the past year was equal in all re¬
spects to that of the year previous, and
the board of commissioners have good rea¬
son to feel proud of it. The course of
study as mapped out by Superintendent
Archer has been completed and new sched¬
ules have .been made for next year. A
graduate with distinction, from the Uni¬
versity of Minnesota, has been engaged
to take charge of the normal department
of the Memminger School, and the grad¬
uates of that excellent institution will
hereafter receive that practical training
which will qualitfy them for the'respon¬
sible duties of the teacher's office. This
will keep the Charleston schools where
they have always been in the front rank,
and the influence will be felt in all the
grades, high, intermedial and primary.
The attendance of both pupils and teach¬
ers during the past year was excellent,
there being but few days of absence, and
those because of sickness or death. The
enrolment reached 5,120, the largest in the
history of the • schools, and would have
been even larger were there accommoda¬
tion in the way of school houses. These
at present are six in number, the Mem¬
minger Normal, the Bennett, the Crafts,
the Courtenay, the Simonton and the
Shaw. The number of teachers employed
during the past year was 91 and their work
in most cases was characterized by effi¬
ciency and fidelity.
All the school houses are in first-class
condition, having been but recently re¬
paired and painted. Great attention is
paid to their sanitation, and every pre¬
caution is taken to insure the healthful-
ness of pupils during school hours. The
floors, stairways and exits of all the build¬
ings are swept daily by the janitors, who
reside on the school premises, and every
thing is done that can be done to make
the school houses pleasing and attractive.
In summer they are well ventilated, and
in winter reasonably heated. For solidity
of construction, convenience of arrange¬
ment and adaptation of means to ends
the public school houses of the City of
Charleston will compare favorably with
any others at the South.
During the past year the long cherished
wish of Superintendent Archer, that the
only school not already honored with the
portrait of its namesake—the Crafts—be
so designated, has been realized; and for
this consummation the commissioners are
indebted to Ex-Mayor William A. Courte¬
nay. Through the influence of that gentle¬
man Mr William Crafts now residing in
the city of New York, has kindly loaned
the portrait of his distinguished kinsman,
William Crafts, the elder, to the board of
commissioners, and it now graces the walls
of the building in Friend street.
The chairman of the board of school
commissioners is the Hon Charles H.
Simonton, who discharges the duties of his
responsible office with zeal and fidelity.
The other members of the board are Major
Julian Mitchell, Dr H. Baer, the Hon G.
Lamb Buist, Dr C. F. Panknin, Messrs A.
C. Kaufman, Dr B. M. Lebby, T. A. Wil¬
bur, C. C. Olney and J. H. E. Stelling.
These commissioners meet on the first
Wednesday of every month, except August
and September.
South Carolina Military Academy.
The South Carolina Military Academy
has long deserved the title bestowed upon
it: "The West Point of the South." To¬
day it ranks second only to the National
Academy as a military college. No State
military academy has a record equal to
that of the Citadel. The report of Major
Garlington, TJ. S. A., to the inspector gen¬
eral at the last inspection of the Citadel
corps was as follows:
Charleston, S. C., June 5, 1896.
To the Inspector General, U. S. A.,
Washington, D. C.—Sir: I have the honor
to submit the following report of an in¬
spection of the military department of
the South Carolina Military Academy,
made this day:
First Lieut John M. Jenkins, 9th cavalry,
is professor of military science and tac¬
tics. He is exceptionally well adapted to
the work. Lieut Jenkins is commandant
of cadets and receives $400 per annum with
quarters, from the Academy.
The cadets are organized as a battalion
of three companies—no field officers.
Number in school 108
Number in military department 108
Number present at inspection 106
Number in uniform 106
Absent with leave 2
Present and absent 108
The review, in full dress, was handsome¬
ly and accurately executed; the march
past in quick and double time was excel¬
lent; alignment and distances preserved
with rare precision.
The appearance and bearing of the ca¬
dets at inspection were very fine and sol¬
dierly. The uniforms were clean and neat;
the arms are old and should be replaced;
the equipments are serviceable. The bat¬
talion drill in close and extended order
was very fine, showing the most careful
instruction in all the details, from the
school of the soldier through the school
of the battalion. The cadet officers were
prompt and accurate, showing thorough
familiarity with their respective duties.
49
This battalion is proficient in the infan¬
try drill.
There has been no artillery instruction
beyond instructing a detachment suf¬
ficiently to fire salutes. There has been
no gallery or range practice. The Acad¬
emy is within the city limits. A guard is
maintained after the West Point system.
Practical instruction with good results
has been given in minor tactics, to include
advance and rear guards, outposts, and
attack and defence of position.
.A company was thrown out as advance
guard for the inspector.
During the year a march of thirty-six
miles was made, and an encampment was
maintained for two weeks
The signal detachment sent With nag a
message of seventeen words in seven min¬
utes. The heliograph could not be used
as sun was not shining.
Five hours per week are allotted to
theoretical instruction. The second class
study the infantry drill regulations and
the guard manual.
The first class study Wagner's Security
and Information, Winthrop's Law and
Beach's Manual of Field Engineering.
The examination showed that the cadets
were well grounded in the subjects taught.
Five hours per week are given to prac¬
tical instruction, which includes the in¬
fantry drill regulations, signalling and
minor tactics.
There is an annual encampment for two
weeks—the time being devoted to practical
instruction.
A graduate of good standing from the
Academy is well qualified to assume the
duties of a second lieutenant of infantry.
The high standing mentioned in my re¬
port of last year has been maintained,
and all connected with the institution de¬
serve much credit for the good work ac¬
complished. E. A. Garlington,
Major, Inspector General.
This report shows exactly what the Cit¬
adel cadets are doing every week in the
year for their physical and mental better¬
ment. The rigid discipline of the military
feature of the Academy has a wholesome
effect on the minds of the young, and
Lieut Jenkins has the respect and ad¬
miration of every man in the corps. Moral
and political science, mathematics and
engineering, chemistry and physics, Eng¬
lish literature and history, French and
German, drawing and bookkeeping, mili¬
tary science and tactics—these depart¬
ments, with the subjects they cover, make
a curriculum compact, comprehensive,
logical and serviceable—one leading to
training rather than to learning, to
knowledge of things rather than knowl¬
edge of words, to an equipment useful
rather than ornamental.
The Porter Military Academy.
• The Porter Military Academy will begin
its thirtieth session on October 1, 1896.
The Rev A. Toomer Porter, D. D., is the
rector, and the Rev Theodore A. Porter,
assistant; Lieut D. Gaillard Dwight, com¬
mandant of cadets; Mr Charles J. Col-
c'ock, headmaster: Last year there were
112 cadets on the rolls and much good
Work was accomplished in the class
4
rooms. Fourteen young men were grad¬
uated at the last commencement, and
some of these have gone elsewhere for
special instruction, one of them having
gone to Cramp's machine shops, in Phil¬
adelphia.
The Porter Academy takes a high
grade and deserves the patronage of all
those who desire thorough instruction
with the best moral and religious train¬
ing. There is just military training suf¬
ficient to insure order and obedience with¬
out interference with the full curricu¬
lum. In the past twenty-nine years this
school has done an immense beneficiary
work. Its founder, Dr Porter, is now
verging on 70 years of age, and his good
work is known and appreciated through¬
out the State,
The military department of the Acad¬
emy is thorough and its scholastic grade
is of a high oider. In the English
branches it is thorough, and carries its
pupils in mathematics to a much higher
point than is general in preparatory
schools. Great pains are taken in in¬
struction in chemistry. A good laboratory
has been furnished, and each boy makes
his own analyses. 'Special attention is
paid to the modern languages. In the
manual department the cadets are taught
the use of tools.
The Medical College of South Carolina
is so well known throughout the entire
South that introdxxetory words to the facts
stated in its catalogue would be unneces¬
sary. Since the year of its founding, 1828,
men have graduated from the College that
have made themselves famous the coun¬
try over and have reflected credit on their
alma mater.
The sixty-eighth course of lectures will
commence Tuesday, October 6, 1896, and
end April 1, 1897.
THREE TEARS' GRADED COURSE.
The profession should recognize the fact
that the surest way to promote the edu¬
cational interests of the State is to do all
in their power to sustain State institu¬
tions, and to keep our young men at home,
where they can be as well educated as at
more distant and crowded schools of the
North. East and West.
Matriculants will understand that three
courses of lectures in three separate years
will be required for graduation, and that
they will follow the graded course of in¬
struction as outlined for their advantage.
The combination of didactic lectures,
practical work in the laboratory, the study
and treatment of diseases at the bedside
and in the operating room, has been the
chief feature of the College to attract the
confidence and support of the alumni and
the profession at large.
THE COURSE OF STUDY.
First and Second Years.
Didactic lectures upon anatomy, physi¬
ology, chemistry, materia medica and
therapeutics, pathology, practical medi¬
cine, surgery, obstetrics and diseases of
women; and medical jurisprudence,
50
Practical work in anatomy, histology,
chemistry and hygiene.
Clinical lectures at the City Hospital on
medicine, surgery, gynaecology and dis¬
eases of the eye, ear, throat and nose.
Third Year.
Didactic lectures upon practical medi¬
cine, general surgery, obstetrics and
gynaecology, general pathology and medi¬
cal jurisprudence.
Practical work in clinical microscopy,
bacteriology and morbid anatomy.
Clinical lectures at the City Hospital on
surgery, medicine, obstetrics and gynae¬
cology, diseases of the eye, ear, throat and
nose, and physical diagnosis, ausculta¬
tion, percussion, etc, at the bedside.
At the end of the first year examina¬
tions will be held on histology ami the use
of the microscope in the demonstration
of the minute structure of all the tissues
and upon osteology and arthrology.
At the end of the second year final ex¬
aminations will be held on anatomy,
physiology, materia medica, chemistry
and toxicology, hygiene and histology.
At the end of the third year examina¬
tions will be held on all the branches not
previously passed.
THE CITY HOSPITAL.
the largest in the Atlantic States south
of Baltimore, now offers advantages to
the student of medicine such as are not
obtainable in any of our neighboring
cities. Under a contract with the City
Government the faculty constitute the
medical and surgical staff of the Hospital
and have complete control of the treat¬
ment of the sick during the session. The
material for clinical instruction is thus
abundant.
CLINICAL TEACHING
will thus be an essential feature of the
school, and certain days of the week will
be devoted to it. The course of the didac¬
tic instruction at the College building will
be so arranged as to permit of the stu¬
dents spending full time at the Hospital.
Clinical lectures in the amphitheatre, or
operating room, and bedside instruction
in the wards will be all that can be de¬
sired. The class will be divided into sec¬
tions for the facility of teaching auscul¬
tation and percussion, the use of the mi¬
croscope, the use of reagents in the ex¬
amination of urine, the use of electrical
apparatus and the study of pathogenic
micro-organisms.
BENEFICIARY SCHOLARSHIPS.
According to an agreement with the
State Government, in consideration of
pecuniary aid by appropriation in years
past, the College gives beneficiary scholar¬
ships to seven medical students, one each
from the seven Congressional districts,
who are appointed by the Governor. Pre¬
ference in these appointments is given, as
far as practicable, to young men of good
preparatory education, merit and talent,
whose pecuniary circumstances do not ad¬
mit of their paying college fees, the same
regulations being carried out in the dis¬
cretion of the Governor, as those adopted
by the board of visitors of the State Mili¬
tary Academy in the selection of its bene¬
ficiary scholarships. Applications for
these scholarships must be made to the
Governor of the State, who notifies the
successful applicants of their appoint¬
ment.
With these exceptions all students of
this College pay the regular fees, and
without doing so cannot apply for gradua¬
tion. The rigid enforcement of these rules
seems to reduce our numbers, but the pro¬
fession at large, and particularly our
alumni, are not deceived as to the real
status of the College, and know that our
diploma is fairly and deservedly earned.
REQUISITES FOR GRADUATION.
1. The candidate must "be 21 years of
age, Of good moral character, and have
had a preliminary education satisfactory
to the faculty.
2. He must offer evidence of having
studied medicine for at least three years
under the direction of a regular physician
or practitioner of medicine in good stand¬
ing.
3. He must have attended three full
courses of lectures, during three separate
years, and have dissected during two ses¬
sions in a medcal college recognized and
approved by the faculty, the last of which
course of lectures must have been in this
institution.
4. He must pass a satisfactory written
examination upon all the branches taught
in the College.
5. He must have paid in full all College
dues, including the graduation fee.
FEES FOR MEDICAL STUDENTS.
Matriculation, payable once only..$ 5 00
Laboratory, each year 5 00
Tuition, first year 100 00
Tuition, second year 100 00
Tuition, third year 80 00
The above must be paid in advance and
include all College expenses. A small
charge only is made for dissecting mate¬
rial.
Students coming from other colleges
and taking only one or two courses of lec¬
tures will be charged $100 for the general
ticket each year.
EXAMINATIONS.
At the end of the second term the stu¬
dent, before being admitted to the third
year's class, must stand final examina¬
tions in anatomy, physiology, chemistry,
materia medica and histology. He must
also produce evidence that his work in the
dissecting room and laboratories has been
satisfactory. Should he fail to pass a
successful examination in any one of
these branches a second opportunity will
be afforded him before the opening of the
regular session in the autumn; failing in
this, such studies for the second year
must be repeated.
Information about board and lodging
can be obtained by applying to the janitor
at the College. The usual price paid by
students is $16 to $20 per month.
COLLEGE CALENDAR.
Session begins Tuesday, October 6, 1896.
Lectures cease at 2 P. M., Saturday,
March 20, 1897.
Examinations begin on Monday, March
22, 1897, "* . . „
51
Commencement exercises, Thursday,
April 1, 1897.
Christmas holidays begin at 2 P. M. on
Thursday, 24th of December, 1896, and end
9 A. M. on Saturday, January 2, 1897.
Thanksgiving and Washington's birth¬
day are holidays.
MEDICAL FACULTY.
F. L. Parker, M. D., professor of an¬
atomy and clinical lecturer on diseases of
the eye, ear, throat and nose; dean of the
faculty.
Allard Memminger, M. D., professor of
chemistry, urinology and hygiene.
Manning Simons, M. D., professor of
clinical surgery and surgical pathology.
P. Gourdin DeSaussure, M. D., pro¬
fessor of obstetrics, gynaecology and dis¬
eases of women and children.
J. L. Dawson, Jr, M. D., professor of
practice of medicine and clinical medicine
and special pathology.
J. Somers Buist, M. D., professor of
general surgery and surgical pathology.
John Forest, A. M., M. D., professor
of materia medica and therapeutics.
Edward F. Parker, M. D., professor of
physiology and medical jurisprudence, as¬
sistant to clinical lecturer on diseases of
the eye, ear, throat and nose.
INSTRUCTORS.
Robert Wilson, M. D., instructor in
bacteriology and histology.
B. E. Baker, M. D., instructor in gen¬
eral pathology and pathological histology.
A. Johnston Buist, M. D., assistant in¬
structor in the pathological and bacterio¬
logical laboratory.
DEMONSTRATORS.
Lane Mullally, M. D., demonstrator of
anatomy.
Louis D. Barbot, M. D., assistant de¬
monstrator of anatomy.
ASSISTANTS TO THE SEVERAL
CHAIRS.
Lane Mullally, M. D., assistant to the
chair of diseases of women and children.
B. E. Baker, M. D., assistant to the
chair of clinical medicine and physical
diagnosis.
R. S. Kirk, M. D., assistant to the chair
of physiology and medical jurisprudence.
C. Aiken Rush, M. D., assistant to the
chair of chemistry, urinology and hygiene.
R. S. Cathcart, M. D., assistant to the
chair of clinical surgery.
A. Johnston Buist, M. D., assistant to
the chair of general surgery.
THE COLLEGE OF PHARMACY.
This department has been re-estab¬
lished, and for the present will consist
of a professor of chemistry, urinology and
hygiene, a professor of materia medica
and therapeutics and a professor of prac¬
tical pharmacy.
The plan of instruction will embrace
didactic lectures, with chemical and phar¬
maceutical laboratory work.
REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATION
IN PHARMACY.
Students of pharmacy are required to
attend two annual courses of lectures on
chemistry, urinology, hygiene, materia
medica and therapeutics and pharmacy.
They must attend two courses in the
pharmaceutical laboratory and must have
worked two years in a pharmacy before
entering the College, showing a certificate
of the same.
They must be 21 years of age and must
pass a satisfactory written examination.
Instruction in the chemical and pharma¬
ceutical laboratory is graded, and con¬
sists of a junior and senior course. These
courses are designed to fit the student to
conduct the processes of manufacturing
and dispensing in the most thorough and
economical manner.
Women are admitted as students.
FEES FOR PHARMACEUTICAL STU¬
DENTS.
First Course.
Matriculation fee, paid once $5 00
Tuition fee, embracing lectures on
materia medica and general chem¬
istry, didactic and practical phar¬
macy 40 00
Total $45 00
Second Course.
Tuition fees, as above $50 00
Special instruction in qualitative and
quantitative chemical analysis.. .. 20 00
Practical and chemical laboratory
work 5 00
Practical pharmaceutical work 5 00
Total $80 00
FACULTY OF THE COLLEGE OF
PHARMACY.
Francis L. Parker, M. D., ex-officio
dean of the faculty.
Allard Memminger, M. D., professor of
chemistry, urinology and hygiene.
John Forrest, A. M., M. D., professor of
materia medica and therapeutics.
Edward S. Burnham, Ph G., professor
of pharmacy and instructor in practical
pharmacy.
The iMrrijcal School.
The Charleston Medical School was estab¬
lished a few years ago by a body of able,
earnest and energetic physicians devoted
to their profession, in answer to a demand
of this progressive age for additional fa¬
cilities for learning than those afforded by
Southern medical colleges. This school
was the first of its kind in the South.
Its aim is not only to ground most thor¬
oughly and practically advanced students
in medicine, but also to give doctors an
opportunity of catching up with the pro¬
gress of practice and to train them in
the specialties of modern medicine.
The City Hospital, with its ample clini¬
cal material, has been placed in charge
of the Medical School during half of each
year, in order that the students may take
advantage of the many opportunities of¬
fered there for instruction and improve¬
ment. This has been a wise step. During
the past season the students have wit¬
nessed operations covering almost the en¬
tire field of surgery. For instance, ova¬
riotomies, hernias, perineal sections, inter¬
nal urethrotomies, amputations, resec¬
tions, double castrations, removal of can
\
52
eers, appendicitis, floating1 kidneys and
many other smaller operations. In addi¬
tion to these many examinations have been
made into constitutional diseases, as well
as special diseases of the eye, ear, throat
and nose; comparing normal with abnor¬
mal tissues and thoroughly familiarizing
the students with all the latest and most
improved forms of treatment.
The Medical School building is one of the
best in the city. It is located on a lot
adjoining the City Hospital, which makes
it very convenient for the students and
teachers. For students who will practice
in the South Charleston has decided ad¬
vantages; its climate is pleasant and
equally as healthy during the spring and
summer months as in winter. While the
city is exempt in a great measure from
the ravages of the typical maladies of the
South yet it affords sufficient opportuni¬
ties for practical instruction in the vari-.
ous types of those diseases which are
characteristic of the sections in which the
practitioner will pass his life.
The Charleston Medical School has taken
a high stand since its organization, with
a bright promise of still greater things in
the future. The officers and members of
the faculty are among the leading physi¬
cians in Charleston, as follows:
Officers, R. B. Rhett, Jr, M. D., dean;
Charles M. Rees, M. D., secretary; A. E.
Baker, M. D., treasurer; B. E. Baker, M.
D., curator.
FACULTY.
R. B. Rhett, Jr, M. D., abdominal sur¬
gery and gynaecology.
J. J. Edwards, M. D., general surgery.
Charles M. Rees, M. D., obstetrics and
diseases of children-
Charles W. Kollock, M. D., diseases of
the eye and ear.
waiter x-'eyr^ Corchcr, M. D., diseases of
the throat and nose.
Joseph Maybank, M. D., practice of med¬
icine.
A. E. Baker, M. D., materia medica and
therapeutics.
B. E. Baker, M. D., physiologT and pa¬
thology.
Edward J. Kinloch, M. D., anatomy.
T. Prioleau Whaley, M. D., diseases of
the skin.
J. M. Green, M. D., demonstrator of
anatomy.
William Henry Johnson, M. D., histology
and microscopy.
Catholic Schools.
There are five Catholic schools in the
city under the direction and control of
Bishop Northrop. They are: St Mary's
School for Girls, in George street, and the
Parochial schools of the parishes of the
Cathedral, St Joseph's, St Patrick's and
St Peter's. These schools have an annual
attendance of about seven hundred pupils.
Private Schools.
Charleston is splendidly equipped with
private schools. These institutions are a
great addition to the educational facili¬
ties of the city, and they are . likewise a
credit to their instructors and teachers.
They enjoy a large patronage at home and
from the interior of the State. Among
them are the Charleston Female Seminary,
Mrs Isabel A. Smith's School for Young
I.adies, the University School, the Acad¬
emy of Our Lady of Mercy, the Froebel
Academy and a number of others.
THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
It, has been Very Good During' the Year,
hut Could be Improved.
The health of the city during the year
1895 compares favorably with that of pre¬
vious years. In his annual report for 1895
Dr H. B. Horlbeck, the health officer,
says:
With the exception of a number of cases
of typhoid fever the general health of the
city has been good.
There have been 540 deaths among the
white population, and 1,297 among the
black and colored—1,837 total. The number
among the whites is slightly greater thah
the average for ten years, and the num¬
ber among the colored is slightly lower
than the average for ten years. The total
number of deaths, white' and black, is
lower than the average for ten years.
There were 38 deaths from typhoid fever
and 37 in 1894—2 less among the whites than
there were in 1894 and 3 more among the
colored than in 1894. There were 4 deaths
from diphtheria, 3 white and 1 colored;
2 deaths among the whites from scarlet
fever and none from this disease among
the colored race.
Diarrhoeal diseases, 306 deaths; white 73,
colored 233. This is not as it should be.
These deaths are strictly to a great ex¬
tent preventable and occur from improper
and unsound and unfit food. This death
roll justifies our constant recommendation
that there should be some inspection of
the food supply of the city. Large quan¬
tities of meat that is unsound and unfit
is brought to the city and finds a ready
sale among the poor and necessitous,
whose poverty forces them to buy food
that should not be permitted to be sold.
It is not that there is not authority at
present to prevent this sale, for from time
to time whenever the health detective
finds such food it is condemned; but there
should be an officer whose especial duty
it should be to search for all food that is
unsound, and at once have it destroyed;
in this connection this officer should be
charged from time to time with the ex¬
amination of the milk that is sold in the
city; as it is at present, the community is
entirely dependent on the honesty of the
vendor. As milk is one of the articles
most generally used, and as it is very easy
to adulterate it, and as disease germs are
carried very readily in this channel, some
provision should be made for the detecr
tion of the adulteration.
There should be also some arrangement
made for bacteriological examination
wherever it is suspected that there are
dangerous disease germs in both milk and
in water.
Consumption, "The Great White
Plague," as usual, claims a large number
5a
of victims. There were 233 deaths from
tuberculosis in 1895; 39 white, 194 colored.
In 1894 there were 224 deaths from this
disease, 44 white and 180 colored. It seems
almost incredible that a disease known
to be preventable causes one-seventh of
all the deaths that occur in civilized com¬
munities. The disease is known to be due
to a specific bacillus known to bacteriolo¬
gists as the bacillus tuberculosis, an ex¬
ceedingly minute form of bacteria, which
is voided by those suffering from the dis¬
ease in their sputa, which, readily drying,
is at the will of the wind, and on being in¬
haled with the air that we breathe be¬
comes a guest to an unwitting host, and
with proper idiosyncrasy of organization
starts a colony which in time means dis¬
ease, suffering and possibly death.
In ten years in Charleston there were
1,158 deaths from malarial fever, whoop¬
ing cough, diphtheria, measles, C. Sp
meningitis, scarlet fever, typhus fever
and yellow fever combined, against 3,119
from tuberculosis, nearly three times as
many as from all the above zymotic dis¬
eases.
There was no epidemic of yellow fever
in any part of the United States in 1895.
QUARANTINE.
The quarantine service of the port of
Charleston has been as carefully and as
faithfully carried out as has been done
for a number of years past. The mari¬
time sanitary committee, under the chair¬
manship of Mr Hall T. McGee, have been
untiring in their efforts to keep the Fort
Johnson station in the front rank of sci¬
entific progress. The station is in first-
class condition and is ready to fulfil its
mission and purpose in the best possible
way for the benefit of the port, reducing
the detention to the least possible time
and giving thorough safety from danger¬
ous diseases. Dr Lebby and the em¬
ployees of the station have been faithful
and efficient in performing their duties.
Charleston stands second to none among
the first-class stations of the Atlantic
coast.
There were 115 arrivals at the quaran¬
tine station during the year.
MORTALITY AND LONGEVITY.
Total mortality for the year 1,837.
Estimated population:
White 28,870
Black and colored 36,295
Total ....65,165
Proportion of deaths:
White 1 in 53
Black and colored 1 in 28
Total proportion 1 in 35
Ratio per 1,000 in the year:
Whites 18.70
Black and colored 29.10
Total... 28.18
Deaths in white 540
Deaths in black and colored 1,297
Total 1,837
The table of longevity shows that of
the year's dead 39 whites and 30 colored
were over 80 years of age.
Charities and Hospitals.
Charleston cares well for the sick and
the friendless. The orphans and the aged
are wards of the city and the unfortunate
have the best medical and surgical atten¬
tion in the hospitals and infirmaries. There
are sixteen institutions that properly come
under this head of charities and hospitals.
Of this number five are properly under
the control and government of and are
supported by the city, viz: The Charleston
Orphan Asylum, the finest institution of
its kind in the country; the Alms House,
the Ashley River Asylum, the City Hos¬
pital and the William Enston Home—the
last named having been endowed by the
late William Enston. The rest of the in¬
stitutions are mainly supported by church
congregations or religious societies, the
latest and most recent of them being the
Sheltering Arms Day Nursery, estab¬
lished and supported by the Order of the
King's Daughters.
The following is a list of the eleemo¬
synary institutions of Charleston:
The Charleston Orphan Asylum, Cal¬
houn street.
The City Alms House, Hampstead Mall.
The Ashley River Asylum, Ashley
River.
The City Hospital, Lucas street.
St Xavier Infirmary, Sisters of Mercy,
Calhoun street.
Catholic Female Orphan Asylum, Sisters
of Mercy, Queen street.
Catholic Male Orphan Asylum, Sisters
of Mercy, Calhoun street.
The William Enston Home, King street.
Caroline Wilkinson Home, Cannon
street, Episcopalian.
The Church Home, Laurens street, Epis¬
copalian.
The Confederate Home, Broad street.
The House of Rest, Ashley street, Epis¬
copalian.
St Philip's Church Home, Church street,
Episcopalian.
Sailors' Home, Market street.
The Sheltering Arms Day Nursery,
Hampstead Mall, King's Daughters.
The Riverside Infirmary, annex to the
City Hospital.
The Jacob Washington Franke. Luthe¬
ran Plome, which is to be established un¬
der the will of Mr C. D. Franke, who died
in 1892, has not yet been established, al¬
though the trustees have been organized
and have the matter under consideration.
The St Francis Xavier Infirmary has
been considerably enlarged and improved.
54
Charleston in 1800.
[The News and Courier Editorial, Sept. 15.]
The trade and commerce of Charleston
amounted, during the business year end¬
ing August .'11, 189G, to more than $67,000,000.
This was doing remarkably well in the
circumstances. So great depression in in¬
dustrial and commercial pursuits has
never been known in the history of the
country. There has never been a period
when there was so great uncertainty in
commercial undertakings, so little en¬
couragement for the investment of capital
in new undertakings. There has been a
constant endeavor at the repression of the
natural development of trade, and in the
face of threatened financial revolution
conservative business men have moved
with precaution. The present conditions
are not peculiar to Charleston—they ex¬
tend throughout the country. It is re¬
markable that under these general condi¬
tions, and despite the local conditions
which have not been favorable to the pro¬
motion of the business interests of this
port for the past six years, Charleston
was able to hold its own during the past
commercial year. The figures show a
slight increase in the total business of the
city, and conservative men look to the
future with renewed courage and confi¬
dence.
During the last commercial year there
was a decrease in our cotton trade. This
is explained by the railroad combinations
which have been operated against us.
There was also a considerable falling off
in the cotton goods trade. This is ac¬
counted for by the low prices which ob¬
tained in the cotton goods market—while
there was no decrease in the volume of
the business, there was a falling off in its
value. There was a decrease in the fruit
and vegetable business. This is accounted
for by the disastrous conditions of the
weather when the crops were making.
There was a decrease in the value of man¬
ufactures. This is accounted for by the
general depression in all industrial occu¬
pations and by the closing down of the
local cotton mill for several of the busiest
months in the year.
On the other hand there was an increase
of $445,000 in the sea island cotton business;
an increase of $185,300 in the rice trade; an
increase of $225,000 in the phosphate busi¬
ness; an increase of $1,221,437 in the ferti¬
lizer trade: an increase of $72,000 in the
lumber trade, and an increase of $545,000
in the wholesale and retail trade of the
city.
The general business of the city is in a
healthy condition. During the year un¬
usual activity was displayed by the job¬
bers in holding their old customers and
in marching out into new fields. The re¬
sult of their enterprise has been most en¬
couraging as it has demonstrated Charles¬
ton's advantages as a distributing point.
The new jobbing trade which has been se¬
cured is a hopeful sign of what may be ac¬
complished by intelligent and well-directed
effort in a long-neglected field. Another en¬
couraging feature of the year's operations
is the demonstration which has been made
of Charleston's advantages as a manufac¬
turing centre. It is known that Charleston
is the largest manufacturer of commercial
fertilizers in the world, but there is proof
of its ability to compete with other places
in general manufactures. The basket and
veneer factory here is the largest in the
world, and last year on« of our door and
sash manufacturers filled contracts for
forty new residences in Philadelphia. The
abundance of raw material right at our
doors, the supply of cheap and efficient
labor, the advantage of water transpor¬
tation should make Charleston the largest
manufacturing centre in the South. It has
long been famous for its workers in iron;
it acknowledges no superior in its manu¬
factures of wood. For the encouragement
of manufacturing industries authority was
given to the city by the Contsitutional
Convention to exempt from city taxation
for a period of five years all manufactur¬
ing enterprises established here, and the
City Council has passed an ordinance mak¬
ing the exemption. As the result of this
liberal policy several new factories have
already been established and others will
follow.
Charleston has suffered the loss of mil¬
lions of dollars in its ousiness by the hos¬
tile railroad combinations which have been
55
made in the interest of the Virginia ports.
The business of nearly the whole of South
Carolina has been diverted from this
port. All protests have been in vain. We
have not been in a position to do more than
appeal for just and reasonable treatment.
We have not had the power to enforce
what we have called "our demands." The
'most flagrant abuses have obtained in
the making up of the freight schedules,
and it has only been the inherent
strength of our natural position that has
enabled us to exist. Two years ago in re¬
sponse to the petitions of the commercial
bodies, but not without a hard fight, the
City Council provided for the creation of
a Freight Bureau for the special purpose
of fighting against the injustice with
which the business of this city was treated
by the railroad combinations. The work
of the Freight Bureau has vindicated the
* wisdom of its creation, and what has been
accomplished by it under the most ad-
l verse conditions has been directly for the
benefit of the whole city.
But something more than a Freight Bu¬
reau is needed to place Charleston on even
terms with competing ports, and this
"missing link" is to be supplied by the
construction of a new railroad, owned in
Charleston, controlled by Charleston, op¬
erated for Charleston, and this road will
be completed before the close of the new
commercial year. It will give to this city
more than six hundred miles of road and
will open the way directly to the West.
The people of this city have proved their
faith in themselves by subscribing the
necessary capital to build and equip the
road, and after it has been finished, with
the abilitv to demand fair treatment,
Charleston will receive fair treatment.
There is no weapon so effective with rail¬
road combinations as a club. We have
found out in Charleston that there is no
such thing as sentiment in business and
having paid dearly for our lessons we
shall doubtless be able to employ the new
railroad to the great advantage of the
business of this port. The prospects of
the new vear are encouraging upon the
whole. But for the political excitement
in the country and the dangerous strength
! of the cheap money propaganda we should
i say that the prospects were bright.
! The general condition of Charleston is
good. There has been great depression
I but the worst is over. Our financial insti¬
tutions are sound, the credit of the city
is unimpaired, the value of real estate
above assessments, as shown by the sales
in open market, is more than 17 per cent.
The terminal facilities of the port have
been extended and improved during the
past year, the South Carolina and Geor¬
gia Railroad will be ready to ship West¬
ern grain bv its own line of steamships
before the close of the season, there is
money enough to move the crops, the Jet¬
ties have been finished, and day is break¬
ing.
The Wholesale Trade.
[The News and Courier Editorial, Sept. 15.]
Charleston's jobbing trade has a little
more than held its own, the increase of
business amounting to a little over half a
million, or, to be exact, to $541,000. In some
lines, however, business has fallen off.
while in others the increase has been
greater in proportion than is indicated
by the total figures. Failures in any line
have been few and their number is
equalled probably by the number of new
houses established.
The really encouraging feature in the
jobbing trade is the successful opening of
the fall season, of which good accounts
are given on every hand. Whatever way
the national election may turn out, the
coming together of the people of our own
State promises increased prosperity to
Charleston, and we trust the increase of
business in the commercial year just
opened will be the most marked of any
year in the present decade.
Tl»e Jetties.
[The News and Courier Editorial, Sept. 15.]
In his statement of the condition of the
harbor entrance and description of the
methods by which it has been so success¬
fully improved, which is published to-day.
Capt F, Y, Abbot, t,he engineer in charge,
56
gives an interesting as well as encouraging
account of the important work on and of
the Jetties, in which the future prosperity
and growth of Charleston so nearly de¬
pend.
The statement is especially interesting
because Capt Abbot has kindly described
the conditions and plan and difficulties of
the great work in a way that everybody
can understand, and be instructed by un¬
derstanding. He explains why the walls
of stone were placed just where they are
and pointed in the given direction, rather
than located and lined otherwise. He an¬
swers the question, which has doubtless
arisen in every unofficial and piscatorial
mind, why the walls are submerged as
to their inshore ends instead of being
raised high above high water mark all
the way? It appears to be a plain case,
in view of the inexperienced person—the
person who has not had much to do in the
way of bridling tides and training ocean
currents—that if some Jetties would make
a channel of some depth, more Jetties or
higher Jetties would make a channel of
deeper depth. Capt Abbot concedes that
they would, and patiently takes the unin¬
formed critic into his confidence so far as
to show him that while such garden walls
would serve to scour out the channel be¬
tween them at a great rate, they would
pile the scoured material beyond their ends
faster than the down-the-coast currents
could carry it away and so make a new bar
in place of the old one. Under the plan
pursued the Jetties have been located so
that their sea ends are swept by the cross
current, and always will be, and the shoals
within and without their course are being
gradually, but surely, removed first out¬
ward and then southward, well out of the
way of the ships of the future. Close ob¬
servations, nice calculation and skilled
foresight were necessary to secure this
result, and the attentive reader cannot
fail to be impressed with the evidence of
the exercise of all these faculties in the
narrative of the engineer's dealings with
the mighty forces and vast obstacles with
which he has had to contend.
The statement is encouraging, of course,
because of the proofs and assurances it
gives of the success of the work as a
whole for its purpose. No mistake has
been made; no disappointing effect or
incident has been developed anywhere.
There are indications that the old main
ship channel will gradually deteriorate,
but this was expected, and that channel
can be spared. The Jetty channel will
serve all the needs of the harbor, and it
already affords, according to the last
(June) survey, "a straight and safe" chan¬
nel of 18 1-2 feet at low water and of 23 1-2
feet at high water. The general depth,
Capt Abbot adds, is much greater than
this, and 21 feet at low water, and 26 feet
at high water, the projected depth, is "all
"the way through," except for a distance
of 700 feet on the steadily wasting bar.
"But little more remains to be aceom-
"plished," says Capt Abbot in conclusion.
The present outer shoal or bar is com¬
posed of sand, pushed out from the Jet¬
ties; no new material is coming down the
coast to reinforce it; the scour between
the Jetties is diminishing; the scour of
active effort is now "well outside of the
"area between the Jetties, and wiLn the-
"removal of the small quantity of mate¬
rial left here the whole improvement will
"be completed." Capt Abbot does not
offer any estimate of the time that will
probably be required for the removal, but
he remarks that he has cash enough in
hand to maintain the Jetties and con¬
tinue the dredging "till the outer shoal is
"so far reduced as to cause no more in¬
convenience," so that he evidently does
not think that it will be very long.
The most that we can say in these cir¬
cumstances is that the Jetties are still,
pushing the good work they have pushed
so effectively in the past year or ixvo espe¬
cially, and that there is now only -700 feet
of shoal between 26 feet of water inside and
outside the harbor.