The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-11-20
Word to AN.

MR.. EDITOR: The farming industries
OF our County are now UNDERGOING a
strain the intensity of which has never
before been surpassed. For years tho re-
suit OF each farmers operations has not
been satisfactory. The prices OF last
years crop, though large one, ruled so
low, thnt in 81 mining up results the
question was left undecided ns to whether
the bulk Of the cotton crop was not sold
Tor less than the cost of production. Gen.
Jon. on sHagood several years ego made
net calculation as to the cost of produc-
tion on pound of cotton, and he figured
1t up over ten cents. And it is gensrally
believed that when it falls below ten
cents, that we are working for nothing
and hnding ourselves. The present
years cotton crop throughout this region
OF country has been cut OF fully one fialf.
aud the price will scarcely average ten
cents. In addition to this drawback the
corn crop on uplands was almost an en-
tire IalIuEe, IN many cases that l know
OF the cotton crop ell told will scarcely
90 ;.e more nor than pay the guano bills. just
IN this exigency comes che decision of
the Supreme Court, tak;ug from the
debtor class the shield OF the Homestead
ACT In certain important respects, and
tnen the avalanche of 5ueing commences,
the like OF which has never been known
since s,nss ;s .ne war: The result to the farming
CLASS VIII pc most unfortunate If not ar
rested. The renter class, most of them,
and that, too. on old debts. will he sn
crippled in their means that they will
scarcely be able to make another crop.
This, again. will react upon the land
holder, TO cripple him in the cultivation
of his farm. For the most part. to their
credit be 1t spoken, 1t Is not the merchant
tnat aforded this years credit that are
making the most ado, but older debts.
This policy, IL pushed to extremes in
such unIeyorable circumstances, will be
nha
only a moiety of his claims, after heapjrg
up costs upon an already over-burdened-
debtor, leaving tho debtor hopelessly
stranded on the shore OF insolvency. Do
not understand us as espousing the cause
or either of these classes, but rather OF
both. The interests of the whole country
demsnds that this state OF things should
cease. As did the Factor in Charleston
with the rice planter, who had failed in
his years operations-s'go on another
year Ss ana VIII supply you again." Thiss
there Is the utmost confidence. II is al
ways Q misfortune to eny trading com
munity when any member fails in his
stnanci9l engagements but the evil can
be greatly modified, ifconfldence has not
peen hnaken, by the creditor class ex-
tending the needed aid even to the un-
fortunate men, thus enabling him 10 20
on with his business. This FEELING. nre-
walls 80 extensively Ia business circles.
tpaG IN one casa thas wa know OF In
Charleston recently, OF the 1aiiure OF
large and honorable firn, when the news
began to be flashed along the wires of the
probable failure, telegram after telegram
camo nom fhGir largest creditors to s'pO
on and we viii sustain you.n Thus
ahonid It be among fafrners as ana one
nerchanes There always havo been,
and perhaps always will SO, .certain ex.
emptions nom levy and sale on all debts,
iSr Sl., s.:o fSSoi. mainly of women and
children. And the present sweeping,
detective as it is, homestead, when first
aaepted, sholteesad many an unprotected
mead nom the pelting of the piti1ess
storm. But the time Is rapidly coming
when the homestead will claim earnest
consideration, and such modification END.
amendment as VIII render it rrsn ~
Tor the Supreme Court TO expisin away
its prov In order 70 make It better
adapted 20 the needs OF the people. Until
this cssn be done, however, in q constifn-
ti9nal. way, let us, among ourselves aud
with our neighbors, &c least. hold orr
hanls from driving 10 tho wall the iio. lest
oeDtor. 4. n. Il