The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-24

| SumCeT. .
Union. ... 3 2
Williamsburg. 3 3 2 2
York. 2 8
Total. =. 124 IS 73 II
This statement, which is approx
mately correct, shows that in 19S0-S1
there were in the House Of Repre-
sentatives II farmers; in 1928, 73
farmers; in 1SS3-S4, IS farmers. It
will be seen that there has not been
since 1880 q single session Of the
Legislature in which the farmers
have not had a safe working majority
in the lower branch Of the Legisla-
ture. In the Senate, in 1880, there
we're II Senators who were farmers.
In 1882 there were II farmers, and
in 1884 there were 16 farmers in the
Senate. 1t will be seen that in this
branch of the General Assembly the
farmers since 1880 have had an equal
representation.
And now word about the work
of the Legislature. In 1881, $40 Acts
were passed, of which 46 directly af-
fected the agricultural interests. In
1882 the total number of Acts passed
was 179, of which 16 were upon sub
jects appertaining to agricultural in
terests. In 1883, 263 Acts were
passed, Of which 81 were passed for
the benefit of farmers. In 1884, 19l
Acts were passed, Of which Is were
passed for the benefit of farmers. In
1885, 257 Acts were passed, Of which
35 were for the benefit Of farmers.
For the five years ending in Decem-
Der last, 152 acts have been passed
by the General Assembly for the
benefit of the farmers, an average Of
more than 80 Acts year. All Of
these Acts, in fact, were passed di-
rectly upon the petition of farmers,
or upon representations made to the
members of the General Assembly
that the agricultural interests de
mandcd the legislation provided in
these Acts. Having a clear majority
in the General Assembly, and being
able to secure whatever legislation
they demanded, it is evident that if
the farmsrs had desired more or any
other legislation they could have Sc
cured it. 1t should also be remem-
bered that majority of all the Acts
passed by the Legislature have been
Acts for the incorporation of rail.
roads, and manufacturing and other
industrial enterprises in which the
farmers have been as much interested
as any other class of citizens.
1t is assumed that tile farmers who
have been sent to Columbia were
the best representatives that could
| be found in their various sections.
They were elected as farmers, were
elected by the votes of farmers, and
if they have failed in any way to do
their duty to the farmers, it necessa,
rily follows that the farmers them
selves are to blame for any lack of
such legislation as they needed or
required.
Having, as we have already shown,
and as the leaders Of the farmers
movement claim, clear majority of
all the voters in the State, it is evil
dent that, working within the lines
of the Democratic party, and con-
trolling the election machinery in all
Of the counties, the farmers have the
remedy for their wrongs safely with
in their own hands.
The Lancaster Review has made
an investigation as to the occupa,
tions of those who have filled the Of
fees of Senators and Representatives
from that county since the year 1892.
During that time Lancaster County
has had ten Senators, nine of whom
were farmers and one Of whom was
lawyer by profession. During the
same period Lancaster County has
had twenty-seven Representatives,
of which number twenty-one were
farmers and six we're lawyers. It
would be interesting to know just
how the record stands in the other
counties.
These facts are given in order that
the people may have a clear concep.
ton of the relative strength of the
farmers in the General Assembly,
and also in order that they may Judge
for themselves as to the merits of the
movement which is now in progress.
-Nens aaad Courier.