The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-21
Economy the Secret Of Success.

One Of the greatest needs Of the
day is economy. This has perhaps
been the cry il al ages ofthe worlds
history, but it comes to tie people Of
the South, at this time, with peculiar
force. Our position is critical. Ii
we would have the scales turn in
favor Of brighter era; if we would
have the s:New South" which has
often appeared in roseate visions, to
become q reality, we must practice
economy in our domestic as we'll rs
political affairs; private IS well as
those in which the public are in
terested. It seems that there is a
depression in trade. The farmer
does not receive more for his produce
than it costs to make it, and in con-
sequence, every industry is para!yzed
Generally speaking, this is fact.
The average farmer in Laurens Coun-
ty' has made no more than q living
in the past few years, and many
have failed to make even that, while
very few have become rich. Now
the question comes, Why Is this 50 :
Of all questions that the people
have been called upon to determine,
perhaps none has received more
varied and conflicting solutions. AS
each man has his own pet theory in
regard to the mode Of farming. so
each has his peculiar views as to why
his neighbcr has not been success
full. Some will contend that the
difficulty is in the labor Of the couu-
try; some, that it is the fertilizers,
and so on. From the first act in pre-
pairing the land, until the produce is
in the hands of the merchants, we
find that each particular thing is
offered by some one as cause of
failure.
There are others who honestly be-
lieve that their farms are conducted
on scientific, business principles.
They think that everything in their
power has been done, and attribute
failure solely to legislation, high
taxes, &C. Beginning with the Con-
stitution itself, it seems that some
man has construed every Legislative
act as oppressive upon the farm
ers.
While it is possible that some
things might be done in tie way of
legislation, for the benefit and pro-
lection of this class, we do not be-
lieve there is a single act Oh our
Statute books that works an injury to
the farmers of South Carolina as
class. Indeed, it seems to us the
last Legislature did all that corld be
asked, when they passed the priority
bill. As to high taxes, this is some
thing that affects all property holders'
whether they be farmers or preachers.
But we must all admit that taxes are
higher than they should be. Re
trenchment in this direction is the
imperative need Of the hour. We
need fewer officers. We need low
er salaries. We need to have less
money squandered by useless appro-
priations. Taxes are burdensome;
but, is this the reason why farming is
not profitable ? Let us see. Take
the amount YOU paid last year and
add it to the net receipts from your
farm. Ifyou find yourself rich, then
exclaim Euraka
AS none Of these seem to be the
cause Of failure, some may suppose
that it cannot be made profitable.
This is emphatically a mistake.
Farming can be made profitable,
even with the present low price Of
cotton; and that too, as we'll IN South
Carolina as elsewhere. Some men
are making money at it, and what
men have done man can do"
Practice economy, industry and
thrift. Study your business, push it.
Buy only that which you absolutely
need. Economy does not necessari-
ly mean parsimopy, but it does mean,
that management which spends
money to advantage, and incurs no