The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-22
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SCl1U UllC W COCO VI NASoAA5
all minor offences.
Abiding to the Constitutional Con
vention, the necessity therefor, ne
said some were afraid it would DE
dangerous experiment to call 1t. Are
the white men of South Carolina sunk
so low that they are prepared to ac-
knowledge that they have not the IN
telligenee to elect delegates to the Con-
Stitutional Convention who will give
us an organic law better suited to our
wants than that thrust down our
throats at the point Of the bayonet by
Gen. Candy; the work Of scalaWags,
negroes and carpet-baggers.
The News and Courier puts the ques-
tion: "Why this agitation for a Con-
stitutional Convention ," | answer
simply to enable us to reduce taxation
by abolishing assessors Offices and sim
plifying county governments so as to
Stop the leaks in the public treasury,
and above all we want one of our own
making that the Legislature won't
dare disobey. See how these law
makers acted in regard to the census
and apportioning the representation on
a basis of population. The Constltu-
tion is the only barrier between you
and Anarchy, and yet these men who
had sworn to support it and obey it's
mandates perjured themselves, thus
cutting off from several counties their
just voice in public affairs, the claim
is made that this is done because it is
too expensive, yet they did not hesi-
tate to taX.you in the face of three bad
crops to commence work on the State
House which will cost a million dollars
to finish. They have sunk large sums
in the Columbia ditch, they wasted
money in various ways and for various
purposes, but they could not obey the
Constitution because it cost money. Is
it any wonder that when the example is
thus set in high places of such palpable
disregard of law that murder and Yio-
lence are rampant and lynch law grown
too common, such acts debauch the
public conscience and men are only too
ready to follow the example set them
by our lawmakers. When used the
words in one of my letters charging
misrule and robbery On the ring govern
ing the State, there was howl like a
pack of hyenas. I ask you if this DISC
bedience of the constitution does not
warrantthe charge? Can anyone deny
that there has been robbery by the lien
laws and frauds in fertilizers? If you
desire to secure reduction of taxes and
bring about that reform so necessary
to your welfare; if you desire to secure
your Just share of the money you pay
as taxes; if you desire an agricultural
college, where your boys may be taught
practical farming at small cost; If you
desire to have your fertilizers properly
analysed and inspected, organize You
are the controlling power in the Demo-
cratic party, you are largely responsible
for the present condition Of affairs by
reason of your apathy and indifference.
Compel your candidates to discuss
questions of such vast Importance and
Quit voting for men because they can
shake hands with sweet smile.
Measures and not men should he your
motto. The best men for the position
should receive your suffrage without
regard to the class they belong to, but
he sure to make them clearly under
stand what you want and see that they
do NO lodging when they 60 to Colum-
bia.
Mr.. Tillman then thanked the audi
ence for their kind attention and re-
tired amidst the loudest applause. It
may be truly said that ne completely
captured the crowd and Aiken County
will 20 for him in future and thorough
" endorse the farmers movement.
Mr.. Tillman spoke for one hour and
tf,ree-quarters, and we have, Of course,
omitted much that Wecould not attain.
But not being stenographer we are
unable to give his speech in full, though
we desired it ever so much. f.