The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-29
THE FARMERS MEET.
Full Proceedings of the Convention Hold
Last Saturday.

Last Saturday.
In pursuance of a call published last
week, a convention of the farmers of
Orangeburg County assembled in the
Court House on Saturday last. On
motion Capt. J. II. Fielder was call to
the chair and Mr.. A. D. Fair requested
to act as Secretary. Capt. Fielder in
announcing the object of the meeting
said that the convention had not met
to talk merely or by any act to antago-
niZe any class or interest of our citi-
zens, but to discuss matters relating to
the farming interest and the welfare
of our county. Many slaps had been
made at this movement of the farmers
from several quarters, but admitting
that Mr.. Tillman did deal in extreme
language, he had an extreme case to
call it forth. Other interests had unit
ed and why may~not the farmers unite
without being considered rs antagoniZ-
ing any other interest of our citizens,
for we all claimed this State as our
grand mother and we should speak no
unkind word or perform no unkind act
to another. The object then OF the
convention was to elect five delegates
from the county at large to attend the
State Farmers Convention to assemble
in Columbia on the 29th instant.
Mr.. Y. W $. Austin said he was a
farmer and could not say much about
the matter, but he thought this conven-
tion ought to send delegates to confer
with the Columbia Convention in order
that we may know the full meaning of
the movement. Each farmer should
understand that every interest must be
considered. We cannot do without the
merchant and are willing to pay him a
small per cent. profit on his goods. The
doctor should not be left out because
he might in some way be identified
with the farming interest. So with the
Mechanic, Clerk of the Court, &C., and
they all could 20 to Columbia.
Mr.. Miles Hughes professed to be a
farmer but was sorry for it sometimes,
and wished his parents had brought
him up in some other occupation. He
knew nothing Of the purpose of the call
whether there was more religion or
politics in it; but he thought every
farmer should go to Columbia himself,
then we could see whether there was
politics in it or not. Nobody could
trust another man with his pocket book
and therefore should go himself.
Every one had right to express him
self whether educated or not. He did
not object to 4 delegation but would
not allow himself to be tied up.
Mr.. J. It. Kennerly thought it was
time to enter upon business and asked
how many delegates were allowed.
Being informed that five was the num-
Der, he moved that the convention pro-
ceed ut once to elect them by ballot
Mr.. Austin in seconding this motion
said that although we were assembled
in farmers convention, we were not
selfish and our programme should be
"to live and let live 1t was impossi-
BILE to separate our work from politics
and we were obliged to abide by what
ever the politicians do, for if we sink
it will Le through our lawmakers.
Five delegates having been already
appointed from the Agricultural Socie-
ty, he was willing to send five more
and to abide by their action. He saw
five gentlemen in the house whom he
could trust for whatever may he done
in Columbia could not be final. If other
gentlemen desired to attend that con-
Tention he had no objection.
Mr.. w. A. Mackey moved to amend
Mr.. Kennerly's motion by inserting the
words: And that the five candidates
receiving the highest number of votes
be declared elected ard that the nomi-
nations be restricted to ten. The mo-
Non of Mr.. Kennerly as amended was
then read us follows:
ReS0lUed, That this convention pro.
ceed at once to elect by ballot five dele
gates to represent this county in the
farmers convention to assemble in Co.
lumbia on the 90 instant, and that the
five receiving the highest number of
votes he declared elected and that the
three next be declared alternates.
Maj. w. A. O'Cain atthis point raised
the question as to who should be allow
ed to participate in these deliberations;
because gentlemen, members OF the
Agricultural Society, were supporting
this measure. lie only raised the point
to be informed and asked for the infor-
nation. The President ruled that
members of the Agricultural Society
could participate in the discussion but
could not vote.
Mr.. w. A. Mackay, excited, said he
was farmer of Orangeburg County
and, because he happens to be MEM
Der of the Agricultural Society, he is to
be debarred by the Presidents ruling
of a voice in this meeting. Such a
thing was an outrage. He had been
instrumental in calling this very
meeting and yet he is to be shut out
and allowed no part or voice in saying
who of his fellow citizens should repre-
sent him and his interest. In all his
life he had never heard of such high
handed measure and it was nothing
more or less than an outrage upon the
farming interest of the county.
Mr.. Austin moved that all farmers
be allowed to participate and to vote in
the proceeding of this meeting.
This motion being carried, Mr.. Ken
nerly's resolution was adopted and the
convention proceeded to the election,
which resulted as follows:
al Afncorc Sn1,1nr I