The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1873-08-06
lFOH TIE HERALD

| DUNS > hOCk, y. u, July lOtn, 1913.
Mr.. EDIToI:-I read in your issue OF tho
2d inst, some remarks suggestive Of the
proprety Of the large landholdcrs Of South
Carolina, selling cheaply to foreigners the
greater portion Of their surplus lands, that q
greater area might be brought under cultivQ-
ton. improved. population multiplied. towns
srowa into cities, dcpotS, stations, and
might add liquor saloons. or Cuffee traps, by
the waysideS, be grown into towns, as well
as the value OF real estate enhanced and the
products of Subss :cncc :.nl trade, increased
| generally.
! Being andiolder, will you permit me TO
| suggest some reasons why conceive this
policy is not more agitated among land
owners anu carried into effect.
Iii the first place, there arc but few appli'
cations OF such purchasers for these lands at
any price.
Secondly, the landhoder is unwilling TO
sell at three dollars per acre so long as he
can hold land, every acre Of which, if pro-
'
o. en- dollars annually.
lie prefers to let it lay idle, to grow build
ing board, rail timber and fire-wooI, in
diSpcnSahIc essentials Of prime necessity,
which with the natural reclamation of the
soil, will increase its value seven hundred
per cent. in fourteen years, in which, lime lis
.i,,;, DJ;I ln:, NJ yF
can be allotted their di>tribuliyc shares, and
be settled on valuable homcstcads.
Thirdly, he is distruStful Of selling to, and
settling neighbCrs around him with whose
politics, social affiinitieS, manners, customs,
or character, he is wholly unacquaiutQd.-
Might not the dog tappropriatc comparison,
for he is open to all the impositions Of dog)
in many instances get infested with ileas.
Whatever accumulated amount Of money
| land will yield clear OF expenses, IN three
years, is thought 70 be Il fair and reasonable
price for the same. Then twelve dollars per
acre would be reasonable price for such
land, allowing onc.haf to be ii condition for
cultivation, the other in pasture and timber.
Ii foreigners, with capital, wOnld propose
such prices, entertain 10 doubt lanIhoIdcrS
would willingly and freely make eventual
sales of greater portion Of their surplus
lands il small tracts, after first leasing them,
one, two and three years, at remuneration to
the tenant. on condition the lessee would
fence, grade, cultivate, rotate and improve
the soil in good, husband-lke manner. and
on special condition the lessee would cast
his vote to the purpose, and not that the
organic law OF the State be altered and based
upon the principle Of 4 cumulative form Of
suffrage, wherein the propcrty-ho}der might
voice, with the non-property- in repre-
Scnting and operating the Legislative, judicial
executive departments Of the government, as
we'll as in the filling and management Of ali
county offices.
This, conceive, would he wiser and
better policy for both, giving the lessor time
to become acquainted with the merits Or
dcmerits of the lessee, his qualification Of
becoming permanent appropriate adjunct
10 the ncighborhood, and a useful citizen to
the country. And giving the lessee time to
test the accimatircncsS Of himself and fami-
ly to the latitude of the locality, to become
accustomed to, and appreciate the dict
usages and common interest Of his fellow
citizens, learn the nature of the products and
the most successful mode Of tliing, improy-
ing and preserving the soil. At the end of
such periods, aside from his earnings and
savings, he would be better prepared every
other way 10 become u free holder. And
could have assisted much in paving q way
through the balo:-boX to restoration 10 the
property-holder Of that vital, incStimable and
inaIicnabe principle Of lberty-thc right and
power of self-prescrvation, with the sequence
of wise and judicious laws, regulating and
adjusting the proper relation OF labor to
capital especially the establishing Of that
equitable protection Of agricultural capital
aud its proceeds, in the absence Of which,
both have suffered 50 vastly, and rapidly
GecliucL. Very respectfully,
THOS. \. FLOYD.
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