The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-04-22
THE FARMERS MOVEMENT.
WATCHING THE NEW DEPARTURE
IN CAROLINA.

>,
IN CAROLINA.
The Meeting of the Farmers and how 1t is
Watched-Some Things to be Considered
I'm Carolina.
.;SPARTANBURG, April 15.-The ap-
preaching Farmers Convention" and
what it. can and should do, is subject
ofgreat interest in this State, and will be
until the 10Th inst.
In certain portions Of the State, and
among some parties. the cry is that it
should devote itself entirely to matters
connected with agriculture and should
lngore politics altogether. A great
many others, and particularly those who
have been most enthusiastic in support
inc, the movement, believe that none Of
the main objects which bring the farmers
together can be accomplished unless
thsS can secure such a Legislature and
such an executive as will favor their pur-
poses and secIrc such legislation as they
desire, ~
Isis feared that some of the delegates
10 the convention. instead Of being in
sympathy with the movement and de-
siroas Of its success, will go therefor the
express purpose Of preventing the tarm-
ers from uniting on any platform, and Of
making the Convention itself failure.
The Convention can meet, form a
general organization, and after delibera-
ton, adopt general platform, cmbrac-
ING such changes and reforms as the
farmers may demand from the State,
and then adjourn. leaving details 10 the
State Democratic Convention and the
General Assembly, because the Farm
ers' Convention cannot Of itself do any
thing final. The first great difficulty
will be to get the Convention to agree
upon "a platform, but convention of
farmers ought easily to agree upon the
matters embraced in the call, which are
farmers college, the proper representa-
tion of the counties, and the equalization
and reduction Of taxes by the abolish
mentt5of unnecessary offices, reduction
ofeypenses, etc.
Taking it for granted that the conven-
ton VIII agree upon some such plat
form, then the question arises as to the
meansSto be used to secure the ends in
view. How are the farmers to secure a
FARMERS college" if they do not take
further steps looking to this organiza-
ton of8the executive and legislative de-
partnents of the State governments.
How are the counties to secure proper
representation in the General Assembly
or the State Democratic convention
with6utso farther efforts being made
after the convention has adjourned.
Besides forming a general organization
sFi,ssistg iltGr9d 5uatte
strictly speaking, the convention cannot
do anything except to frame certain issues
or to make certain demands of the
Democratic party and State government
before the people in their election OF
delegates to the Slate convention (where
the Executive will be chosen) and in
the election OF Representative to the
Legislature.
IF the convention can agree upon 4
platform, the next natural step to be
taken. would be to look out for repre-
sentative men Of sufficient intelligence,
and capacity, whom they could present
to the State and county Democratic
organization as candidates, who are in
accord with their views, as the reform
needed in the State. In doing this: the
farmers would have an opportunity OF
showing the non partisan character OF
their movement; that they are looking
to the best interests Of the State. and
are not merely seeking Office themselves,
by selecting the best mcn they can Ind
in the State, who are in sympathy with
them, and their wants, regardless OF the
profession or avocation to which they
belong. Such a course would put their
movement on high ground, and show
that they are not governed by amy mar
row feelings or prejudices. 1t is their
best policy, moreover, to select the best
agents they can find, to assist them in
accomplishing the work they have IN
view.
There is an abundance of good ma
terial in this State, among men who arc
not mixed up with any Of the complica-
tions of the past. Among the State
Offices it will be a matter of but little
Importance to the farmers rs to who
shall occupy them, except the positions
of Governor and Lieutenant Governor,
which exercise considerable influence
over legislative affairs. If for instance,
(after adopting reasonable platform).
the farmers could induce some sucn man
as Gen. w. II. Wallace, Of Union, or
Gen. J. B. Kershaw, of Camden, to be-
come candidate before the Democratic
Convention Or primary election, if such
should be provided for, and pursuing a
similar course Of supporting good men
in the various counties, willing 10 repre-
sent their expressed wishes, they could
easily secure such an executive and such
a Legislature as would grant the desired
relief. 1t is true that the position OF
Governor does not. in itself, offer any
great inducements to such men as have
been mentioned. but the future will bring