The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-05-05
Tillman's Platform.

appropriat ed certain land scrip to the seve-
raj States On condition that the proceeds of
the sale of the same should become fund,
the interest ON which should be used to sus
tain an agricultural and mechanical college
for the education Ut the industrial classes in
each State accepting said donation;
And, whereas, South Carolina accepted this
fund and entered into contract with the
United States to carry out in good faith the
conditions of said trust, but has failed to do
so;
And, whereas, the languishing agricultural
intere It's of the State are 7 sore need Of an
institu tion which shall furnish more practi-
cal aud scientific training, at less cost, to
those vino desire to follow farming, than can
now be ootained, while at the same time map
ping ous the system of farming which must
be adopted to save our lands and redeem our
agriculture
And, whereas, practical knowledge of the
mechanics .,rtS among our own people must
be had before we can nope for that diversity
of pursuits; and introduction of manufacture
ing so necessary to the prosperity of our agrl-
culture, by giving a market for other farm
products beside cotton therefore be it resolv-
ed:
1st. That we respectfully urge the Legisla-
ture to establish, as soon as possible, a real
agricultural and mechanical college, sepa-
rate and distinct from the South Carolina
College, and modelled after those of Michigan
and Mississippi, which have stood the test OF
time and are acknowledged to be the best OF
their kind in the United States.
I'd. That the control and management of
said agricultural and mechanical college
should be given to the board of agriculture,
which shall locate the same at the most eli
gihlc site they can secure, after advertising
for bids from the Sc 7eral counties.
81. That an expert mental station should be
established at and in connection with said
agricultural and mechanical college, the same
to be under charge o.; it's faculty.
4sh. That we memo rialize Congress and beg
it to pass the bill introduced by Mr.. Hatch
and now pending, wi ich appropriates $l5,-
900 annually to each tate for this purpose,
and that We ask our S. nators and Congress-
men to use all legitimate means to secure it's
passage.
9TH That we protest against this money, if
it shall be appropriated, being received by
the present trustees of the South Carolina
College. Their actions in he past show them
to be disbeievers in industrial education.
Moreover, if we are to have an agricultural
college at all, every dollar 81 ent on the agri-
cultural annex at Columbia is so much vast
ed. And while We are willing to concede 20
these gentlemen honesty of pnrpOse and pure
incentive do not acknowledge chat lawyers and
professional men are the proper ones to con-
troll an agricultural college, and expcrim
station, any more than we cla i'm that farmers
ought to be chosen as Judges in our Courts. We
do not admit that the legal fraternity possess
es monopoly Of the brains and education in
this State, and we want each shoemaker to
stick his own last.
Gth. That in order that our agricultural
administration may be divorce as far as pos
sible from politicians, in order that the men
best qualified to perform these important du-
ties be selected by those most competent to
Judge. in order that we may secure board OF
agriculture at once efficient, Jealous and rep
resentative, who know our needs and will
try to supply them, we urge that instead OF
being chosen by the Legislature th ey be elect
ed by farmers convention compo ed OF deli
gates from each county agricultul al snciety,
which shall meet annually in No rember of
each year at Columbia for his purpose. This
Convention ought to taks into consideration
all matters of legislation affecting our re-
Communications to the Legislature about the
same as they may deem proper. This board
of agriculture should consist of ten, five elect
ed annually. They should have the power tn
elect their own executive officer or Secretary,
whose duties would correspond with those of
the present commissioner, and their duties
present board. while, in addition they would
have control of the agricultural College and
experimental station. and should, by m cans OF
"farmcrs' Institutes" &C., build up and keep
alive the several county societies and farm
crs' clubs.
Sth. That in order to- obtain Che necessary
funds to sustain the agricultural college, af-
ter the State shall hnye given enough tn buy
the farm and erect lie necessary Buildings, We
recommend that the privilege tax on sale OF
fertilizers be doubled. The board would then
get an income of over $5O,OOO per year, and
this, with the $1,000 from the land scrip fund
would, we think, be enough to support the
college, inspect the fertilizers. aud hold farm
ers' institutes, without additional taxation
except small indirect tax on guanoes, which
| farmers will willingly pay to be guaranteed
against fraud.
9th. That the inspection Of fertilizers is
now defective and unsatisfactory: and no ade-
quate punishment for frauds provided. We,
therefore, urge such additional legislation as
will secure the needed protection without
imposing unnecessary restraint upon the
manufacture and sale of fertilizers. Cotton
seed meal, whether sold as stock food or as a
| fertilizers, should be inspected: and adultera-
tion punished. Stock owners will not mind
the additional charge to be sure Of whole
some and pure article.
10th. That the Cta del Academy, rs a mill
tary school, be abolished. and that so much
of the money now appropriated to- it's use as
Carolina College at Columbia, so as to make
it frst-class institution for the training OF
young men for professions and literature. ~
small tuition fee should be charged those en-
tcring there, but the trustees should be al
lowed to admit those unable to pay free OF
charge.
I1th That the State owes it to her daughter
80 provide an instition for their liberal and
practical education a school where they can
be taught nor only to adorn drawing room.
but be fitted to perform the duties et life. and
become bread-winners if need be. A com
monwea!th which does not train it's future
mother can never hope to achieve any high
place in the ciTilizston of to-day, and both
justice aud wisdom demand thaa our girls
should have an equal chance with our boys.
We recommend that such school be opend at
the Citadel in place of the military instition
now IN operation there, and that it de literally
supported by the State. We appeal to the
women Of South Carol sna who feel the def
ciencles of their own raining, and have seen
the utter hclpleSSneS of their sisters when
let to their own rcSU rceS. to aid in esta Dfish.
ing an induStriu CO, ge for females in our
State like that OF &c 1mbur. Miss. 1t they
cannot secure that i uhibitinn which would
banish alcohol, the; can help Danish that
prohibition ignorance which now bars then
scx in this State from all occupations except
sewing, teaching AID working in c"tton
f!cores. 18th That Il committee Of seven
one from each ongres :ional dintrct, be APP
pointed be the Char. who will draft the
memorial mentioned III these res0lutiSnS, and
forward the same at once to our representa-
tivcs at Washing on: and that the said COM
mittee shall prepare bills, and have the same
introduced in the next General Assembly