Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-11-13
TILLMAN's PRALANX.
The Platform of the Recent Conven-
ton of the Farmers.

The Platform of the Recent ConVen-
ton of the Farmers.
COLUMBIA. Nov. 12.-The farmers boom,
organized by Farmer B. K. Tiliman about
ayear ago, has crystallized in the organi-
cation of the Farmers Association Of
South Carolina, the first convention of
which has lust finished it's labors. Exactly
what this movement will amount TO IS
hard TO predict. Thatit has already become
an important factor in the politics OF the
state, however,f cannot be doubted. III
was the Farmers Convention, held here
10 April. 1886. that nodded and shaped
the compositfon of the lower House OF the
General Assem- bly, elected on Nov. J, and
which meets In a few weeks. A slgnlh-
cant fact in connection with the new
House is that out OF l24 members over 100
are new men. When Farmer
TiIlman organized his boom, over year
ago, be started out with the announce
ment that ne was opposed to the existing
institutions of learning supported 10y the
State, viz: the South Carolina College at
Columbia aRd the State Military Acade-
nv at Charleston. HIS avowed object
was TO DESTROY these institutions and
erect upon their ruins an Agricultural
and Mechanical College, modelled after
those OF Michigan and Mississippi. He
also accused the Democratic State gov
ernment OF all kind of corruption and eX-
tTavagance.
These views, however, were found to be
too eXtraVagant. South Carolina was
not prepared 10 take step backward in
the cause of education, and Farmer Till
man thought better oft and moderated his
views. He abandoned his attack on the
college and citadt |, and shaped his cam
paign in the direction of the establish
ment OF an agricultural college and an
endeayor to secure the control OF the
A tyr1nO1ftlraI Rnrpan fhiG Mat
form he secured large following, and
the nrst convention was held yesterday.
The following summary OF the platform
adopted by the convention will give an
idea of the objects OF the movement:
THE PLATFORM OF THE PLANTERS.
l. The establishment of a real agricultural
college, separate and distinct from the south
Carolina College, and modele1 after those OF
Mississippi and Michigan. We believe that
the necessary funds TO build and equip this
Institution can be secured b. Topping OF need
less eXpendi, ures. and aboii-hing or consOli-
dating useless Offices without increased taxa
ton. We further recommend. as means to
assist in building the lnstltu ion, that the dif-
ferent counties OF the state be empowered TO
biz for it by offering bonds or land.
:. That an experimental station should be
established at or IN connection with said Ag-
rlcultural aud Mechanical College, the same
to be under the charge OF its faculty, and that
we memorlalIze Congress TO pass she bill in
troGuced Big Mr.. Hatch and now pending,
VII on appropriate $4,000 annually to each
state for me purpose, and that we ask our
Senators and congressman 10 use all leglt-
mate means TO secure Its passage.
8. That in order that our agricultural ad-
ministration may be divorced as far posi-
bic from politics and politicians, and the men
best quail fed to perform these important du-
ties he selected by those most co npetenJ to
judge. in order thatwe may secure board of
agriculture at once, efficient, jealous and rep
resentatiYe, who know our neeus and Will try
to supply them, ne urge that instead of being
chosen by The Legislature they be elected b.
this Farmer Assocla ion. The Boa d OF Ag-
ricuiture should consist OF ten members, five
elected annually. They should have tue power
TO eject their own secretary, whose duties
would correspond with those OF the present
Com missioner. Their duties would be the
same as the W imposes on our present board.
except to the collection of the phosphate
royalty, which should be gwen to tue Comp
troller General. In addition, they should
have control of the Agricultural College and
experimental station, an should by means Of
farmers institutions build up and keep alive
coming agricultural associations.
4. That the system o. inspection OF fertil-
lzers Is now detective, and No adequate pun
ishment for frauds provided: We therefore
urge such additional legislation as will sc
cure the needed protection without imposing
unnecessary restraint upon the manufacture
ana SAFE of fertilizers. otton seed meaI ,
whether sold fer iilizer feed for
stock, ehould be inspected and its adultera-
ton punished.
s. We urge the Legislature not to squander
the States property by allowing a wnOesai G
expectation OF phO-pndtes at mercy nominal
price, and that VITA view of essening he
burdens Of taxation. they take iuto cousidera =
tion the ACCESSIBILITY of increasing the phos-
plate royalty.
g. We recommend be passage of such legis-
lation as VIII protect the farmers of the SL1te
against imposition and fraud in the weighin z
OF cotton
2. We respectfully urge such legislation as
will protect us against forest fires neglIgently
started.
s. The equalization of axes demands earn
est consideration at the hands OF the Legisla-
ture. ana we urge such action as can best Sc
cure 1t.
3. We urge such alterations of the fee bill as
will guard the estates of dead persons against
abuses and provide protection for W dows and
orphans.
10. In order to secure the needed reforms in
our coun governments and 20 reduce the
burden Of taxation. as well as TO secure such
changes in the judicial system as may he
needed, we earnestly request our legislators
to consider the advisabilty Of calling q con-
stituuonal convention. unless, IN their judg-
ment, the necessary changes may be better
obtained by amendment.
1t will be seen that the farmers are
silent on the subject of destroying the
other institutions of learning. AT their
convention in April last they mapped out
plan TO destroy the college and the citl-
del and establish an agricultural college
on the ruins.
COUNTING CHICKENS, ETC.
The last act OF tue convention before ad.
journment was the appointment of q
Board OF Commissioners of Agriculture to
take the place OF the present board, in
case the General Assembly shall consent
10 turn over that bureau TO the Farmers
Association. The embryo buard is as toll
lows: d. *. Norris, And-rson; NJ. l..
Donaldson, Greenvtile; f. T. Stackhousr,
Marion; b. Il. Tillman, Edgetield; D. j.
Duncan, Union; Alien johnson. New
berry; Johnson Hagood, Barnwell; r. A.
Love, Chester; e. l.. Reeves, Charleston
A. L. Davis, Fairfield.
AT least two OF these Will, am sure,
not serVe-Mr. d. L. Duncan and ex-GOv.
johnson HaygoOd, VINO are both promi-
nent andInhuental farmers. but who have
refused 10 affiliate with the Tillman boom.
A lobbying committee was appointed to
reside IN Columbia during the session OF
the General Assembly, whicd convencs
on Nov. "a, with Il view OF securing the
PASSAGE OF the various measures recon.
mended in the planters platform.
IL only remains TO add that there are
two other prominent and influential agri.
cultural organizations in the state which
are proposed TO be swelled up by Farmer
Tilman's new politico-educationat agri.
cultural cOmbinatiOn--the state Grange
and the State Agricultural Society