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

Mr.. EDITOR: have read with interest
the articles that have 'reared on the fence
question. It seems if It is to be submitted
to q fnir decision on the merits of the logic
for or against fencing up the stock, that the
advocates of the change would certainly
carry ii by c large majority. 1. is lai, onta-
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 la studied it more than
have. 1 will endenvor 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 q 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 arc 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 a
market for the pine fields at remunerative
| price, such us tenants could and would pay.
I. 1oei not need c;:c minutes argument to
show an Intelligent land holder that it liz to
| his interest to fence The stock, end thus stop
! the tremendous and destructive drain on his
forest lands, which hns almost laid fair
land waste, and If not arrested viii soon
largely migrate its best labor and much cap
ital. But am moro after the tenant and
some land-holders, who appear to see some
Jack-'o-lantern or scarc-crow in it. Now, il
men were not endowed with reason had
better dcsist. l have heard it offered rs a
means of fencing that we take the old field
pine as q 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 frnn. fifteen to fifty venrs-how
long will it require to demolish all the rails
ffom the pine fields, that will last six years ?
Twenty years would make an end of it. and
leave the country to waste and the popula-
tion would steam west. South Carolina can
and should support two million of thrifty,
intelligent people; but one of the sides oi
that great State problem lies in its solution
right here, now, next winter; fence the
stock! And you men that appear to 500
danger in 1t, don't get alarmed at shadows
| The writer OF this rents land. voted to
enclose the atnck when it ysaa sried haGn.e
| and will vote for it ngain. Ono reason why
the tenant population should vote for it Is,
| 1t will cause them to educate their children
and themselves better, by giving time when
| this abominable fence everywhere Is de-
strOyed. It Is your interest and you VIII
| gradually come to your duty to lessen the
area of you- crops and make the land rich
1t matters not IL you are renter. Then
vote to fence up the stock, improve your
land, learn 10 Improve your minds, and
| thus your morals; and the man that would
| work on your uninformed fears, saying that
it Is u measure 20 buiii up the rich anu iii-
iure the poor, | tell you is either degradediy
| ignorant or bad man. and not fit to re-
| ceiye yonr confidence. would say to oil
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.