The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-31

10 get any cOASi!cfaOie s"Hi III " htc'
they can ccouomiza the expenses oi
our State government. The cclc!:a
ted caucus Of the economical! mem.
bers of the last Legislature had tc
give it up as a bad job, and adjourn
without finding q single reform that
they could unite upon. Tie State
government requires a considerable
sum Of money, it is true. hut every
other institution does that also. Our
farms themselves require money 10
run them. 1t is easy enough &c
stand off and claim that there is c:l-
travagance, but wien cne comes 70
put the finger upon particular items
Of extravaganza. the task is not casi-
ly accomplished, as was demonstrated
by the caucus to which We referred.
Now, having noticed some OF the
troubles growing out Of existing laws
Federal anu State-it may not be
amiss to enquire what are the direc-
tions in which there is pressing need
for new legislation. In Our opinion.
at the very threshold Of this inquiry.
we meet the greatest need again in
the department Of Federal leglsla-
ton. There is now system Of deal.
ing in all staple agricultural and
farm products by class Of capital
lists who treat them as so many paper
chips with which to gamble, as COM
pletely and as absolutely as men
would bet on game Of cards Or
other event Of chance, and the pro-
ducts of the labor Of this country are
yearly bought and sold in advance
Of the very planting of such crops,
with an utter disregard for the cost
of production, or of the principles Of
supply and demand, which underlio
every sound and Legitimate business
transact:cl. In our opinion, this
system oi dealing in futures is doing
more injury to the producing classes
of our country than all other causes
combined. For instance, the ;pecu-
lators last year bought and sold over
29,000,000 bales Of cotton. while tAe
production Of the cotton States vas
less than 100000 bales. THUS it
will be seen at once that the real pro-
duction is made plaything in the
hands Of these spectators, and the
toiling millions Of men who have
their small means and labor invested
in the cultivation Of this staple, are
helpless before the caprices Of these
Wall Street gamblers. The same
condition Of things exists to some ex-
tent in reference to corn, wheat and
meat. It calls for government inter
ference, and cannot be reached By
other than congressional legislation.
and we hope our farmer friends will
give it their attention, and memorial
;ze Congressto prohibit all speculation
in cotton or provision futures. and
take measures to secure the cooper
alton Of the farmers and producers
of the other Southern and Western
States in securing this legislation.
We think also that this meeting
should consider and memorabilia Con-
grcss to aid our commerce, by sub
stantial Improvement Of Charleston
harbor and the rivers Of this State,
which can be made navigable for the
purpose of afTording cheap rates Of
transportation for our productions
after they are made.
As the education Of all classes Of
our people is matter OF the first
consequence, and as the State is an
nually expending large sums Of mo-
ney on our common school system.
which is far from efficient on account
of the lack Of sufficient funds to prop
erly conduct them, we think it would
be well for this convention 70 urge
upon our representatives III Congress
to vote for the Blair Bill now pend
ing in the House. In addition 70 its
educational features the passage Of
this bill would give about 100000 4
year to the people Of South Carolina
for several years, and it would add
greatly to the prosperity Of oar State,
and help to relieve US Of q portion of
our present troubles.-AnderSov IL
telligencer.
The system Of county governments
we have is awkwa' d and complicated,
besides being expensive. 1t forces
on US an army Of otliceholdcrs at
salaries varying from small to large,
and makes us pay hundreds Of thou
sands Of dollars more than there is