Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1880-03-18
Political Rings.

The time for political meetings and con-
ventions is approaching. These arc .
necessary part Of the machinery Of the
body politic. Conventions arc absolutely
essential, because all the people cannot
como together aud lay plans and mark ou,
lines of action. This is impossible. A
few representatives Of tho people have to do
this work. 1t cannot DO otherwise. Just
because this convention work is always
done by few, the disappointed are ready
to raise the cry Of rings and ollques and
triokery. These complaints come partiou-.
larly from men who think it too small thug
for them to attend township; meeting to
choose delegates to convention of the
county. Now when convention for any
purpose is CALLED, let the people turn out
at their township meetings and discuss the
objects and aims of tho approaching oonveu-
tion and then select the best aud wisest men
to represent them. 1t is always In order
for any township to instruct their delegates
as to men or measures. This may not
always be the best, but it is privilege the
township meeting he's. Too often is j. tho
case that about dozen citixens meet at tho
usual place, and one Of them reads tho call
of the county chairman, and then they
begin to look around and sec who will at
tend tho county convention. Men are
often selected because they will 90, which
is perhaps the only qualification they have.
A convention of indifferent and uniformed
men will sit around and whisper to each
other, and permit half dozen active mem
bers to shape and carry through every
measure. Very often these active end
talking members are very poor ones, still
they are permitted by tho silent majority to
have their way. Now the point made is
this: lot tho township meetings bo we'll at
tended, send your best organizers to the
county convention, and if it be burdensome
on them to leave home for day or two
raise little fund and pay all their expeu-
ses. This always ought to bo done. In this
way you get convention of good men, and
there would be no more complaint Of town
ship cliques and court house rings. These
so-cal!ed rings are often myths and have
no actual existence. The way to prevent
their possibility ia for every township to
send up its best and most worthy men to
the eoounty conventions.- Carolina Spartan.
EXCURSION TO oATLANTA.-Excursion
are the order of the day. When it comes
to the matter of excursions Atlanta gener-
ally leads the van. Everybody wants to
come to Atlanta.
Yesterday the Atlanta Chamber of Com
meroe appointed committee to confer with
the Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Railroad
in reference to an excursion Of merchants
along the lines of their ROAD, and wero met
by Encouragement Of that lino With their
usual promptness and liberality. The man.
agement of the Air Line Railroad is ever
watohful of the interests of Atlanta and
fully alive to the wants of her merchants
and people. The courteous and popular
passenger and ticket agent, Major w. j.
Houston, at onco notified merchants along
~ liz that they can visi Atlanta at any
time between March 18th and 25th, by
personally applying to any agent of the
road, who will furnish tickets at one aud
onefourth cents per mile each way.
All that is necessary is to bring evidence
to the nearest railroad agent that the sppli-
cant is merchant in regular business and
desires to visit Atlanta This will entitle
him to the extremely low rates given
by this live and progressive corporation.
The committee, composed of Horny
Boylston, NJ. G. Kiser md r. D. Spalding,
were engaged yesterday perfeoting arrange
ments for tho coming event. Through
their energy they have secured reduced
rates. The Markham has agreed to enter-
tain the excursionists at two dollars per
day; the Kimball at two dollars aud fifty
cents, and number of hotels aud boarding
houses at one dollar per day. 1t is thought
that the excursionists viii number about
two thousand, all of them representative
men of the Caroiinas and from points 10
Georgia along the route Of the Air
Line.
We are informed by tho committee that
in the event that some Of the merchants
cannot get off until the 25th Of the month
that their tickets will be good until the
expiration of seven days after the date of
the purchase of the tickets.
atlanta Constitution, 11M.
THE CosT OF SCHOOL BooKs.--The
State appropriates a two mill tax to the
support of public schools which goes for
the pay of the teachers. We are beginning
to think it is improperly applied and there
should be change made at once. The
pay of teachers is fast becoming tho lightest
expense connected with the schools. The
cost of books is becoming the serious mat
ter aud We venture to say is in excess Of the
pay of teachers and building of school
houses combined. 1t is reully terrible
when you come tu think OF it seriously.
"Bcwaro Of the man Of ono book" was ro-
garded once os wise saying and signifod
that ho who only had ono book was apt to
ho thnronoh in what hn kno,r frho ooo
trary opinion was held of him who had
many books-his knowledge must be SUI
perfoial. Now it seems to be considered