The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-21
1t is seriously urged to repeal a


tccts the individual citizen from the
ruinous extortions Of public car
riers and leaves him to contend
hopelessly with the power. influence,
and money Of soulless ;nonopolists.
1t is seriously contemplated to de-
stroy such institutions and assocla-
tions as have been established and
are being operated for the benefit of
agriculture-their usefulness has
been already impaired, and most
strangely these attacks are led and
favored by men claiming to be and
to represent farmers.
The farmers should have q policy
as to the public affairs Of the State.
1t should be simple, fair, true, hon
est, and just; doing injustice or wrong
to none, and claiming or asking only
what is right and proper for them
selves. The starting point Of that
policy should be to insist upon the
simplifcation and eheapening of the
laws Of the State. Let them be so
plain and simple that the citizens of
average education and intelligence
can understand and safely construe
them. Let the cost be so reduced as
to place them within the reach Of the
Door man. Now our law is so CON-
pick that even the Supreme Court
divides upon its construction-the
Circuit Judges are at sea, and the
Bar has as many constructions as
clients may need and pay for. And
its enormous cost precludes the poor
man from its benefits or protection.
Virtually making the law q privilege
OF the rich instead Of q right of the
Door. in a Democratic State and
Republic. law and justice should be
free to all, "without money and with
out price" But, to the contrary,
each Congress and each Legislature
increases the tyrannical power of the
rich and helpless slavery of the poor.
X * X 4 =
Brothers, it is always painful and
embarrassing to any man of sensl-
bility, to discuss his claims to merit
good record. l hope you will ex-
cuse my presuming upon our long,
close and cordial association in this
Order, and your oft repeated evi-
dences ofrespect and honor conferred
upon me, to make very few per-
sonal remarks. Born and reared in
family that, though numerous
never had, until the present genera
ton, professional member; /, fol-
lowing the bent of my breeding; have
spent my life, and, until the last
three years, gained my entire sup
| Dort as q farmer. Before the war l
was life-member of your State Ag-
ricultural Society and chairman Of
the committee on agriculture in your
Legislature. Since the war, | was
elected by you in 1874 lecturer, and
in 1876 Master; serving, You know,
without salary or pay. For three
wears was chairman Of committee
OF agriculture in the State Senate,
and life ember Of your State Ag'
ricultural Society. This is my re-
cord as representative Of agricul
ture, and all l have officially done is
in print. On your estimate Of me
and this record, l propose to stand
without condescending to notice, in
the papers or otherwise, the unjust
and basely false insinuations, Wheth
er emanating from wild fanaticism
sepseless blather-skiting, or menda
cious malice. In 1878 the Le9isla
ture made the Master Of the State
Grange en oficio q member of the
State Board Of Agriculture, and il
1884 a trustee Of the State University
In 1882. l was elected by the pco
ple and as a Democrat, Secretary o
State; The many and very divers'
duties devolved upon this latter offic'
. have tried to discharge zealously
faithfully, and honestly, and this
believe my bittcrest enemies admit
: For this service 1 receive the sam
pay that was given to my predeces
sor without complaint by any one
! and will doubtless, be given to m,
successor.
! There is no connection whatever
between the Office Of Secretary c
State and that of Master Of the Stat
Grange: and underhanded attempt
| to falsely confound the two to m
detriment cannot be considered fail
truthful or honest.
But, friends, enough, and too muc
:. of this. Whenever charges are prt
Y ferred against me to you, you Wi
S try them and true verdict giv'
c Till then, I shall continue the eve
t tenor of my way with silent disregar
4 for all maligners.