The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-08
The Meeting ut Boiling Springs.
'itor Times uDd De7n0cyut :

Editor Times md Democrat
It had been announced extensively
that there was to he picnic at Boiling
Spring Camp Ground, last Saturday,
and combined with it, a farmers meet
ing where Capt. ]. Fielder was to de-
liver an address. Soon Saturday morn
ing we wended our way to the memo
rable place where many have drlnked of
the cooling spring water, and had
spiritual blessings bestowed upon them.
We found several already there and
they were coming from every direction.
Mr.. Fielder was on hand, also DR.. J. c.
Holman. BY eleven o'clock quite
goodly crowd had gathered, among
them many ladies, looking their pretti-
est. the first hitch in the proceedings
was when one of the Camp Ground
committee. and possibly more than one,
objected to the speaking under the
stand erected for preaching. But this
did not deter us.from enjoying the de-
lectable pleasure of hearing the sl!very
tongued farmers. Near the spring a
door was laid upon tho ground, seats
provided for theladieS, and the speaking
began. MIR. ]. II. G. Kennerly, the sec
retary of the Hebron Farmers Club
introduced the speakers.
Mr.. Fielder was the first speaker. lie
first explained his position in the far
mers' movement, then criticised the
newspapers for not publishing reports
of farmers meetings, pictured the mil
lennium that would be brought about
when the farmers were all united, and
claimed to be the servant-not the die
tator-of the people. At this point
there was one voriferous cheer. He
read the declaration Of principles" OF
the farmers convention, and claimed
for farmers the right to discuss mat
ters pertaining to farming; ADVOCATED!
the primary election; said the farmers
organization was not to diSband ut the
end of the campaign, but was intended
to be permanent. lie had organized
twelve clubs in the county and had ten
more on his hands to organize. When
clubs enough are organized will have a
county club composed OF delegates from
the local clubs. 1t was our impression
that he apologiZed for the recommended
tionS of the farmers convention, but
indirectly conveyed the idea that when
the power was great enough, legislation
would he demanded. He contraSted
1886 with 1886, and showed that IN the
former year government expenses OF
the State were $4,000 while now they
are S2OOOOOO annually. But he failed
to notice the great increase of popula-
tion and taxable property which go
hand in hand with taxation. Said that
the architect Of the State House re-
commended small appropriation Tor
recovering the State House, but the
legislature ignored this economical re-
commendation and made an appropria-
tion of $4,000 annually to finish the
State House according to the original
design. Criticised the free school sys-
tenn, stigmatized the free schools as
curse and recommended that they be
abolished. Condemned free tuition in
the State University, and wanted that
$4,000 now used in sustaining it to be
added to the free school money. But
how this was to be done after the free
schools were abolished, he did not ex-
plain. Compared Our condition to that
of Ireland, and blamed bad legislation
with bringing it about. Paid his re-
spects to the Scottish Loan AssOcia-
ton, and in the language Of Uncle
George" Tillman, gave it a black eye"
And closed his speech by complaining
that all other callings had combined
against the farmers. a statement we
think he would find some difficulty in
proving.
DR.. J. G. Holman, next spoke. He
endorsed the farmers movement, and
claimed that it would put straight
jackets on our legislators. Said farm
ers' clubs and Democratic clubs were
distinct. Admitted that legislation for
farmers was class legislation, but
claimed that what benefited the farmer
benefited all other classes. Said the
movement was non political but would
correct county abuses.
Rev. r. 3. Tarrant was the next and
last speaker. Declared himself COM
mitted to the movement, and said it
would not divide the party. Compli-
mented the party as being perfectly
honest, but it handled the peoples
money and therefore needs watching.
Corroborated Mr.. Felder's statements
concerning the State House and criti-
cised the estate pride" which caused
the appropriation bill to become law.
Said the Columbia ditch (canaD costs
annually $4,000 and is an outrage.
Paid his respects to the University, but
his position on that matter is we'll
known. Said he liked something's the
farmers recommended, but could not
swallow the whole pill. Claimed that
there were not too many lawyers nor
doctors in the legislature.
At the close of Rev. Tarrant's speech
he was the recipient Of handsome
bouquet. Speaking being over, the peo-
pie repaired to the various tents to
partake of dinner, much to the disgust
of many who thought there was to be
Il general table set for all indiscrimi-
nately. Some considered the meeting
IL success while others voted it fail
ure. Not being a farmer we have no
opinion to offer. INDEX.
Okra w Cotton.
E1itor Times 01ld Democrat:
In a recent issue Of your paper no.
ticed YOU claimed that l.. 5. COnnOr had