The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-08-16
THE INTELLIGENCER.
LOCAL MATTERS.
THE srATE aaANes MEET1Ne.

in Anderson, being noted IS the occasion on
which the representatives of the agricultu'
raj interests of South Carolina assembled
for discussing and celebrating upon mat.
tiers of importance and interest to the
Patrons of Husbandry in particular and
the country in general, was one Of unusual
interest, and will be long remembered by
those present. It is cheering and instruc-
tive to all to meet SO many intelligent, ac-
tive men from all parts of the State, guard
ing the farmers interest and striving to
dignity and improve labor by exchanging
thoughts, relating experiences and by elc-
, ,quent appeals to industry and energy. A
large number of delegates and visitors ar
rived on Tuesday evenings train.
FIRST DAYS PROCEEDINGS.
On Wednesday at 10 o'clock a. m. the del
egates to the meeting of the State Grange
and the State Agricultural and Mechanical
Association, numbering between two and
three hundred, marched from Temperance
Hall, where they had assembled, in process
sion, led by Mr.. W. w. Russell, the Master
of Pomona Grange of Anderson County, TO
the fair ground, where the visitors were
assembled.
The joint meeting was organized in the
fair building with Maj. J. N. Lipscomb, the
Master of the State Grange, in the chair,
and Col. Taylor, President of the State
Agricultural and Mechanical Association at
his right. Ex-Gov. NJ. L. Bonham and
Gen. NJ. w. Gary were invited to seats
among the officers. Rev. ]. s. Murray, Of
Anderson, opened the meeting with prayer,
recognizing the many blessings which the
Director of all things has bestowed upon US,
and asking His blessing upon the delibera-
tions of the organization. Col e. M. Rucker
was then introduced to the audience by Mr..
W. w. Russell, and addressed cordial,
eloquent welcome to the delegates and all
other visitors present, both on behalf Of
the Pomona Grange and the people of An
derson. He showed the importance of SUBJ
standal, skilful farming, and the influence
which the Grange organization would have
on extending and promoting the success of
the farmer. Also he said that whilst the
order was not partisan with regard to poll
tics, it should be influential in securing good
government for the country.
Maj. ]. N. Lipscomb returned thanks on
behalf of the State Grange and visitors for
the hearty welcome, and stated that the
order was not one intended to interfere with
any ones honest business, but to protect
the farming interest, and establish it upon
firm basis. He also showed how the order
would benefit society.
The next feature of the meeting was the
regular business of the order, and essays on
the various topics of interest to farmers were
read and commented upon by the delegates
present.
Gen. Bratton read an essay on the raising
of cattle, and urged the farmers present to
raise green food for cattle.
DR.. Barton, of Orangeburg, then read an
essay on life insurance. He showed that
life insurance could be obtained at an ex-
pense of less than one per cent. of the
amount insured in the Patrons Aid Society,
thereby showing their superiority over the
prior existing insurance companies.
A paper in reference to money loans, ex-
ecuted in conformity with the opinions of
the majority of the members of Ashley
Grange, No. 1, of Charleston, was read by
Mr.. E. L. Roche, which elected much inter
est and discussion. It's argument was taken
partly from the laws of the old Romans,
and was directed against the usury law.
Speeches in favor of the proposed usury
law were made by Gen. Gary, who stated
that he had labored for the enactment Of
the law, and Col. Aiken, who directed his
argument against the paper read by Mr..
Roche, which, he said, appeared to him to
be full of error from beginning to end.
These gentlemen also gave us some of their
experience as farmers, and were much ap-
plauded. Speeches were made against the
usury law by DR.. A. B. Rose and Maj. Theo.
G. Barker. The latter defended his course in
aboiishing the usury law in strong argu-
ment. Col. E. NJ. Rucker followed in a
forcible speech in favor of the re-enactment
of the usury law, showing that the farming
and manufacturing interests would become
greater by its enactment, which is needed to
place the country in more prosperous con-
dition.
The meeting, on motion, was then ad-
journed until Thursday at o'clock a. m.
SECOND Days PROCEEDINGS.
The attendance on Thursday was by far
larger than on the day previous. The fair
ladies were in attendance and with the
other numerous visitors added new interest
to the occasion. The number of persons in
attendance is estimated at not less than two
thousand. The streets of Anderson were
crowded with people going to and from the
grounds. The exhibition of crops was very
good for this time of the year. Some very
fine peaches, honey, corn, cotton, &C., were
on exhibition.
The joint meeting of the State Grange and
Agricultural and Mechanical Association
was called to order pursuant to the motion
of adjournment at o'clock a. m. in the
building, but owing to the crowd repaired
to the shade trees without.
Maj Lipscomb announced that business
would be resumed with the discussion of
the usury law, where if was left off the day
before.
Col. McMaster, of Columbia, resumed the
discussion, and opposed the usury law. He
said if the people properly investigate the
matter that he believed they will also op'
poseit. He said that money was not crea-
ted by the government, but was the product
of necessity as medium of trade, and, that
it was a commodity just as much as any
article of commerce. Showed that in other
countries where the usury law was enacted
it did not prove to be what was desired. He
endorsed the action of Maj. Barker in his
attack on the old usury law.