Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-05-29
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquire
LETTER FROM CHESTER.


CHESTER, May, q, 18s4,-Considerable
ty in regard to the Blair bill. Some con-
denim Butler for opposing it, while others
give his course in the matter their Warmest
approval. prominentcitizen ofour county,
a member Of the last Legislature and who
aspires to be q member of the next Legisla-
ture, informed me on yesterday that he pro-
posed to take the stump in support of But
fer's objection to the bill, he said, because of
it's unconstitutionality, and because of the
incompetency of the negro to receive an ed
ucation. The provisions of the Blair bill,
rights of the States. 1t gave to the General
Government powers that might be used to
the injury and oppression of the States.
His principal objection to the bill, however,
was the giving of aid to the negro when
mental faculties were such as to render him
incapable of receiving an education. He
said he had watched the results Of the
efforts on the part of the State to educate
the colored race since the war, and was
unable to see any good that mad been
accomplished. With very few exceptions,
those who had been favored with educa,
tional advantages had not been profited
thereby. While he was opposed to any
action having for it's object the repeal
of that clause of the State constitution
imposing a tax of two mills for education
al purposes, he was decidedly opposed
to any action on the part of Congress grant
ing Federal aid to the States for the same
purposes. Our friend said he had many
neighbors whose opinions in regard to the
Blair bill were similar to his. He also init
mated that as another candidate for the
Legislature from this county warmly favor
ed the Blair bill, and with some degree of
80 D,,4I Ios5o
to it, the discussion between them on the
stump would be quite lively. I do not
know how public sentiment in this county
in regard to the Blair bill would be affect
ed by an animated discussion on it's merits
or dement's before the people, but l believe
that at the present time great majority of
the people of this county would favor it.
They regard it as the part of wisdom to get
all the money possible from the General
Government in behalf of education. In
their opinion, money spent in this way is
money well spent. They are disposed to
risk the evil consequences predicted by
those who oppose Federal aid in behalf OF
education.
Our friend, besides expressing his senti-
ments in regard to the Blair measure, also
gave expression to his views in reference
to the nomination of the State ticket in
June by the Democratic State Convention.
He opposed this course on the part of the
Convention, believing it to be both unWise
and unnecessary. He believed that the ag-
ricultural interests of our county and State
would be subserved by postponing the open
ing of the campaign until September. He
favored instructing delegates from this coun-
ty to vote in opposition to June nomina-
tions.
Major J.. w. Wilkes, one of the largest
planters in this county, has recently obtain
ed patent for an engine on the rotary
principle In this engine the steam acts
direct on the surface of the wheel, dispen-
sing with piston, connecting rod and CYL
inder used by ordinary engines. Steam
goes from the boiler to the governor,
thence direct to the periphery of the
wheel. Dispensing as it does with so much
machinery, it is contended that the cost of
this enjine in comparison with other en-
engine of our friend, when constructed,
does all he claims for it, his fortune will be
made. He will doubtless find in it more
money than planting cotton, though he is
now making three hundred bales yearly.
/ recently had a very agreeable visit to
Lewis Turn Out. / called on Mr.. Ryan,
who is in charge of Mr. Bedsell's store.
While he was not crowded with customers,
there were evidences Of success in his bust
ness which 1 was glad to see. Moreover, he
was making improvements on lot of his
near the Turn Out, which had the appear
ance of his contemplating an important
step in life. He informed me that the
wheat crop was excellent; the oat crop, he
said, was not so good on account of the
wet weather.
A meeting of the Lee Light Infantry will
be held next week in order to re-organize the
company. TO all intents and purposes it has
been virtually in a disbanded condition for
some time. At the meeting next week new
members will be invited to join, the pres
ent officers will resign, and the necessary
Fsteps taken to place the company on firm
and substantial basis. The military spirit
is on the decay here and in the South gen.
orally at the present time. The desire for
the ''almighty dollar" is so soul-absorbing
as to preclude all thoughts for anything else.
The Democratic Executive Committee of
this county met last Saturday, the following
gentleman being present and forming quo
rum J. NJ. McNeel, Esq, Chairman, DR.,
E. NJ. Atkinson, and Messrs. w. R. Davie,
w. H. Edwards, j. H. Nicely, H. c. Braw-
ley, Banks Robertson and Passdale. The
Committee appointed Saturday, June 21st,
as the day for the meeting of the County
Convention. The Democrat Clubs were or
dered to meet, re-organiZe, and elect dele
gates to the County Convention on Satur-
day, June 14th.
A very heavy rain fell here on Saturday
afternoon. Vivid lightning and violent
winds prevailed at the same time. The par
apet wall of the store of Messrs Wylie &
Agurs was struck by lightning, doing, how
ever, no material damage.
On Sunday afternoon there was heavy
fall of rain in different parts of the county.
In some places it was accompanied with de-
structive lightning and hail. On Mr.. John
Grants plantation, about eight miles from
town a man and woman, both colored, were
struck by lightning and instantly killed.
were badly shocked, and were insensible for
an hour. In the neighborhood Of Cornwell's
Turn Outhail fell so thick and fastas to cause
great distinction Many fields Of wheat and