Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-11-17

ing by vote OF tWO-tnlrQS OF tne meInpers
present.
We also adopt the following:
BYLAWS.
First. The President shall appoint all
committees, unless the Association shall de-
termine otherwise.
Second. The Executive Committee may
fill all vacancies occurring in any office, as
also in their own number, until the next
annual meeting.
Third. Elections for officers shall be by
ballot. -.
Fourth. A fee of five dollars shall be paid
annually by each County Association send
ing delegates, and the delegates from no
county will be allowed to vote until this
fee is paid.
Fifth. The regular order of business
shall be-:
1st. Roll call and enrolling delegates.
ID. Reading minutes of last meeting:
Sd. Correspondence.
18th. Report of special COMMITTEES.
9TH. Report of standing committees.
9Th. Unfinished business.
7th. New business.
Sixth. These bylaws may be altered,
amended or suspended by two thirds vote
of the members present.
The organization was then completed by
electing seven Vice Presidents, one from
each Congressional district. W. A Ancrum,
of Kershaw, was elected for the Fifth dis
trict. J.. r. Duncan, Of Newberry, was
elected Secretary, and w. P. Addison, of
Abbeville, Treasurer.
A committee on resolutions was also ap-
pointed, after which the Convention ad-
iourned to Wednesday morning at 9.45,
when through Capt. B. R. Tillman the Com
mittee on Resolutions submitted the follow
ing report:
"After due consideration of various reso-
lutions referred to US, and taking into con-
slider alton the power invested in us to make
independent recommendations of our own
volition, we submit the following platform
as embracing the substance of such resolu-
tions as were acted upon in the committee,
and as indicating the reforms and meas
ures which we deem of great Importance to
our interests as farmers and citizens:
PLATFORM.
"We, the farmers of South Carolina, in
convention assembled, after mature delib-
Grafton, and after all light and experience
gained since our last convention from the
fullest discussion among ourselves as to the
general objects to be obtained, hereby ex-
press our continued, unshaken confidence
in our former association as now organized
to accomplish great good for the State if
properly conducted and kept within legiti-
mate bounds; and we hereby reiterate our
determination that there shall be hence
forth in South Carolina an organization for
the protection and advancement of our ag-
ricultural interests. In furtherance Of this
purpose and as embodying the present
views Of the powers of the State, we re-
spectfully urge upon our General Assembly
the necessity and advisability of the follow
ing measures.
"First-The establishment of a real Agri-
cultural College, separate and distinct from
the South Carolina College, and modelled
after those of Michigan and Mississippi.
We believe that the necessary fund to build
and equip this institution can be secured by
looping off needless expenditures, abolish
ing or consolidating useless offices without
increased taxation. We further recommend,
as means to assist in building this institu-
ton, that the different counties of the State
be empowered to bid for it by offering bonds
or land.
"Second-That an experimental station
should be established at or in connection
with said Agricultural and Mechanical Col
lege, the same to be under the charge of its
faculty, and that we memorialiZe Congress
to pass the bill introduced by Mr.. Hatch
and now pending which appropriates Sl5,-
600 annually to each State for this purpose,
and that we ask our Senators and Congress-
men to use all legitimate means to secure
its passage.
"Third-That in order that our agricul-
tural administration may be divorced as
far as possible from politics and politicians,
in order that the men best qualified to per-
form these important duties be selected by
those most competent to Judge, in order
at once efficient, jealous and representative,
who know our needs and will try to supply
them, we urge that instead of being chosen
by the Legislature they be selected by this
Farmers Association. This Board of Agri-
culture should consist of ten-fve elected
annually. They should have the power to
elect their own secretary, whose duties
would correspond with those of the present
Commissioner. Their duties would be the
same as the law imposes on our present
Board, except as to the collection of the
phosphate royalty, which should be given
10 the Comptroller General. In addition
they should have control of the Agricultural
College and Experimental Station, and
should, by means of farmers institutes, &C.,
build up and keep alive County Agricultu-
raj Associations.
"Fourth-That the system of the inspec-
tion Of fertilizers is now defective, and no
adequate punishment for frauds is provided
We therefore urge such additional legis-
lation as will secure the needed protection
without imposing unnecessary restraint up
on the manufacture and sale Of fertilizers.
Cotton seed meal, whether sold as a fertiliz-
er or as food for stock, should be inspected
and its adulteration punished.
'Fifth-We urge the Legislature not to
squander the States property by allowing
the wholesale expectation of phOsphates at
merely nominal prices, and that, with a
view of lessening the burdens of taxation,
they take into consideration the advisability
of increasing the phosphate royalty.
''Sixth-We recommend the passage of
such legislation as will protect the farmers
of the State against the weighing of cotton.
'Seventh-We respectfully urge such leg
islation as will protect us against forest fires
negligently started.
"Eighth-The equalization of taxes de-
mands earnest consideration at the hands of
the Legislature, and we urge such action as
can best secure it.
"Ninth-We urge such alteration of the
fee bill as will guard the estates OF dead
persons against abuses, and provide pro-
lection for widows and orphans.
s'Tenth-In order to secure the needed
reforms in our county government and to
reduce the burdens of taxation as we'll as to
secure such changes in our judicial system
as may be needed, we earnestly request our
legislators to consider the advisability of
calling a constitutional convention, unless
in their judgment the necessary changes
may be better attained by amendment"
The report of the committee was taken
up and adopted by sections.
After the adoption of the platform Capt.
Tillman took the floor and spoke in favor
of the establishment of an agricultural COL
lege, explaining, from his standpoint, how
it is possible to establish and enjoy the COL