The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-22
A COUNCIL OF FARMERS.
What the Greenville County Farmers did
Last Friday.

The farmers OF the county met 10
convention yesterday and did their work
promptly and we'll. NJ. L. Donaldson
was elected president and DR.. NJ. L.
West and r. A. Few secretaries. There
were 81 delegates present from the
various county clubs. The work of the
convention was disposed of in a business
like way and with harmony. which shows
that the farmers are earnest and sincere
aud mean what they say. The impor-
tant resolutions adopted are the follow
ing:
Whereas, our annual taxes are a
srievous burthen, more oppressive and
more difficult to pay than at any times
within our memory, and whereas the
resources of the farmers to meet their
taxes are derived from the sale of their
products, and as the present, and pros
pective prices of these are lower now
than at any time within the last quarter
of century. The necessity for relief
therefore is not at stand still, but Is
moving upon us with increasing urgency:
Therefore resolved,
lst. That the legislature being the
chaunel through which relief is to come
we ought to vote for no one who is not
thoroughly pledged to retrench when
ever practicable. =.
Cd. That the salaries and fees of all
public offices, State and county ought
to be reduced. At the time these salaries
were fixed tile cost of living was nearly
twice as great as now. The proceeds
of the labor Of the farmer and artisan
out Of which these salaries are to be
met are little more than half of what
they were then. A feeling ofoppres-
sion and sense Of justice alike demand
a readiustment at the hands Of the
legislature.
Sd. That all appropriations for the
canal at Columbia be at once suspend
ed. Without passing upon the mex
pediency of the undertaking, we here
assert that this is not the proper time
to prosecute it.
4th. That the South Carolina college
ought to be conducted on the strictest
principles of economy, that tuition fees
ought to be charged and the appropria-
tons reduced to this extent at least, and
that all proper aid to the department of
agriculture in said institution to develope
its highest usefulness ought to be
granted.
5th. That we are opposed to any
more appropriations for the continuance
of the Citadel academy in Charleston.
Everything that is taught there is. or
may be, taught in the South Carolina
college except military tactics. Time
of emergency develop and bring forward
the right men, irrespective Of military
training, as shown in the late war be-
tween the States. s>>',. '"'.,'Ss,ss''
9Th. That the provisions of the law
in relation to the assessment ofproperty
are inadequate and have failed to reach
a large per cent, Of Invisible property,
such as notes, mortgages and money.
IF the taxes on all the invisible property
in the State could be secured it would
reduce materially the rate per cent. OF
taxation.
7th. That the legislature should at
once pass such measures as will recover
the past due taxes on forfeited land, and
see to 1t that such properties are so dis
posed of as, in future, to bear their just
share Of the burthens of governmen.
sth. That our system Of county
government needs revision. 1t is by
far too expensive, it needs simplitica-
ton and if there exists any impcdiments
in the constitution to effecting the de-
sired changes they ought to be removed
by proper amendments as soon as
possible.
9th. That in voting for State and
county officers we shall discriminate
against no class or profession. We
shall vote only for persons in bond with
our political sentiments, giving prefer
encc to those, in our judgement, having
the highest capacity to serve.
Mr.. w. j. Mccain offered the follow
lng which was unanimously adopted:
Resolred, That this convention de-
clarcs in favor ola primary election for
Governor, Lieutenant Governor and all
other State officers, and also for Con-
gressmen, and to this end we recon-
mend that the Democratic county con-
vention urge the adoption of the prim-
ary plan for the selection Of candidates
for the said offices by instructing its
delegates to the State convention to
secure this result if possible.
A. NJ. Howell offered the following
which was also unanimously adopted:
Rcsolred, That 1t is the duty Of every
farmer us well Of that Of every good
citizen to put himself 10 thinking and
thus lend his individual aid in formulat-
ing opinions and suggestions. and to
thus help the convention which meets
in November to present practical and
tangible questions to the law-making
power.
Considerable discussion occurred over
the subject Of tho assessment Of pro-
pcrty. In this Esq. McBcc, Auditor
Smith and County Commissioner
Anderson entered with others. the re-
c,,It ,f' tInjr J,butoc cbov,ur tbrt thrrr