The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-08-16


you shall be most cordially welcomed.
Mr.. EDITOR: have read with interest
the articles that have appeared on the fence
question. It seems if it is to be submitted
to fair decision on the merits of the logic
for or against fencing up the stock, that the
advocates of the change would certainly
carry it by large majority. 1t is lamenta-
bly, apparent that too many are inclined to
stick to old habits, although the immediate
necessity to make change and fence up the
stock is glaringly apparent and pressing
to the minds of almost every one. The
farmers plans need remodeling and can
practically be reached by fencing the stock.
This question has been elaborately discussed
by men who have studied it more than /
have. I will endeavor to answer some OF
the objections that some men attempt to put
up, and, if possible, assist in removing pref
udice from the minds of those who rent,
and especially those who have not the
means of rightly examining the question
calmly and without prejudice.
1st. 1t is change that will benefit the
poor and all tenants, because it will place
thousands OF acres of land in their reach for
farms, to rent or to purchase, that are now
not giving one cent of income to the own
ers, and are consequently not available to
anybody, as the stock law stands, and can
not be permanently for want of timber to
fence said farms. This change will increase
the agricultural population and resources Of
he State. 1t will cheaper rents on the poor
class by placing more good land in reach Of
the plow. 1t will give to the land-holder
market for the pine fields at remunerative
price, such as tenants could and would pay.
It does not need one minutes argument to
show an intelligent land-holder that it is to
his interest to fence the stock, and thus stop
the tremendous and destructive drain on his
forest lands, which has almost laid fail
land waste, and if not arrested will soon
largely migrate its best labor and much cap
| ital. But am more after the tenant ano
some land-holders, who appear to see some
jack lantern or scare-crow in it. Now, il
men were not endowed with reason hao
better desist. I have heard it offered as 6
means of fencing that we take the old tielo
pine as substitute for oak and other valu'
able timber, and that there is plenty of it
| Twill answer that by question. If seventy
five years have only been necessary to de-
| molish and destroy the noble oak and chest.
nut forests, which makes lasting rails-rails
that endure from fifteen to fifty years-hoW
long will it require to demolish all the rails
from the pine fields, that will last six years
Twenty years would make an end oft, and
leave the country to waste, and the popula-
| ton would steam west South Carolina can
and should support two million Of thrifty,
| intelligent people; but one OF the sides OF
that great State problem lies in lis solution
right here, now, next winter; fence the
stock And you men that appear to see
danger in it, don't get alarmed at shadows.
The writer of this rents land. 1 voted to
enclose the stock when it was tried before,
and will vote for it again. One reason why
the tenant population should vote for it is,
it will cause them to educate their children
and themselves better, by giving time when
this abominable fence everywhere is de.
stroyed. 1t is your interest and you will
gradually come to your duty to lessen the
area of your crops, and make the land rich.
It matters not if you are a renter. Then
vote to fence up the stock, improve your
land, learn to improve your minds, and
thus your morals; and the man that would
| work on your uninformed fears, saying that
lure the poor, 1 tell you is either degradedly
ceive your confidence. I would say to all
who are in debt, read Mr.. Ranson's article
in favor of fencing the stock, judge candidly
and lay aside prejudice, and think you will
vote for change. G. w. B.