Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-05-13
THE FARMERS CONVENTION.
PRESS COMMENTS.
LaurenSville Herald.1

lLalrenSFllle 11efalu.I
Whatever the opposition may think or
say as to the action of the Farmers Conven-
ton, it cannot be successfully denied that
it was and is a success so far. The various
measures recommended by that body have
yet to be carried out; and we believe many
and most of them will be carried out success
fully. We believe the farmers are honest
and sincere in their efforts for the better
ment of their own condition, and of the
whole State. We do not believe they are
trying to better their condition at the eX-
pense or to the detriment of any other class.
They have too much good, common sense,
too much generosity of spirit to attempt
anything of the kind. They cannot afford
to attempt such action. But they are ter
ribly in earnest. They are determin-
ed to effect some change in the legal ma
chinery of the State, as well as reformation
in their w ranks regarding the system of
farming now in vogue, and in the general
management of the farm. So VIC think
that those who appear to be alarmed at
what the farmers propose to do, may calm
their fears-they are in no danger.
[Abbeville Medium.
It was a body of earnest, patriotic men,
resolved to purify politics and reduce taxes
or make the government better. 1t was not
q lcS lSlnl1NC DOuy llIu SOlllJ VI NouioSt w
nothing definite. Still they walked up the
somnolent ofice-holders and gave them to
understand that reform was necessary and
must be the rule hereafter. 1t was a sad
occasion for ~ofice-holders who cannot look
beyond the coterie to which they belong
and seek public good. There was fearand
trembling among them and a newborn zeal
for better ways and means of bringing the
government back to a cheap and econom-
ical basis. There was a rafting among
the dry bones and if nothing else is effect
ed the people have asserted and made evil
dent the fact that they are still masters of
the situation. Some of our contemporaries
are still writing elaborate articles to prove
that the whole affair was fiasco, a failure
and everything else that amounted to moth
ing. The people don't believe it, however,
and the people will stand by their colors.
[Barnwell Sentinel
There is in our opinion very little in the
proceedings of the Farmers Convention to
alarm any part of the States population,
and we are rather surprised to note the atti-
tude of that usually wide awake journal the
Neus and Courier on the subject, unless it
has measured the ground before the farmers
and can show to the public that there will
be more scampering and dust in the end
than there was in the beginning, its alarm
must be accepted as premature. Perhaps
the only mistake made at Columbia was
the treatment bestowed upon the Governor,
and this was certainly not the leaders, fault.
No sensible farmer will claim that one class
of our people can live strictly Independent
of all the rest, such utterances would be
contrary to all reason. Perhaps the name
applied to the Citadel gave %offense, but
then it should not, for all towns have their
dudes.
[Abbeville Messenger
We are impressed with the idea that
there was nothing extreme in the Conven-
ton. In fact its action seems to have been
conservative. Necessarily its discussions
and the line of action it marked out are of a
political, or rather legislative nature. We
see in this nothing to give fear or dispute
tude. 1t is true that we do not see the
force of all its suggestions. For instance
that in reference to a%bolishing the Citadel.
Nordo we think its action in refusing at first
to invite Gov. Thompson to address the
Convention was at all a gracious thing, since
they did invite other gentlemen. Aside
from the fact that he holds the high and
dignifed office of Chief Executive of this
Commonwealth, Gov. Thompson is a gen.
tleman without reproach n the slight was
unWarranted.
CLaurens Advertiser.l
1t is somewhat remarkable that an as
sembly of three hundred men, gathered to-
gether on the spur of the moment, should
Show such a conservative spirit. Very
little abuse was heaped upon any class
except the lawyers, who are we'll able
to bear it. If by abusing lawyers, Mr..
Tillman can elevate the farmer we say
clay on" The great convention has as
sembled and no one can doubt but that
good will result. There is enough con-
servatism to hold in check all whoare rad
ical in their views. We do not object to
farmers discussing politics, but they may
talk from now till doom's day, and their
farms will not be more productive. The
greatest good that this convention could
have accomplished would be to arouse the
farmers to organize the clubs for the dis
cussion of improved methods Of agricult-
ure. 1t is gratifying to the friends as we'll
as the opponents to see the good that is
likely to result from this first meeting.
aiken Recorder.
We have only space to say that when the
intelligent farmers of this State shall read
and digest the proceedings of the Farmers
Convention, they will fail to find one single
measure of economy recommended by that
body. After all the blowing of horns that
has been made, the whole affair has turned
out to be nothing more than a glorifcation
meeting of the admirers of Capt. b. Il.
Tillman, the so-called Agricultural Moses
of South Carolina. 1t is proposed to double
the tax on fertilizers, to establish the Ag-
ricultural College that Capt. Tillman thinks
so necessary and of which he wants to be
trustee. In other words the taxes OF the
State are to be increased by twenty-five
thousand dollars by an indirect method
which will bring every dollar of the mon
ey out of the farmers pockets. 1t is fur
Their proposed to give the appropriation
now allowed the Citadel Academy to the
college at Columbia, and convert the Citadel
building into a female college. This again
would require another increase OF taxation.
In order to make Tillman's college a sue,
cess, of course large additional sums would
have to he appropriated to bring 1t up TO
those of Michigan and Mississippi, the
models aimed at by Mr.. Tillman. Our
people are not prepared for increase of tax.
alton at this time, and Mr.. Tillman will
find that when the action of his COnven-
ton is subjected to the calm light of reason
and common sense, many or his 1aVOrlte
plans will be repudiated.
[Keowee Courier
The personnel of the body was excellent
having in it prominent farmers from all
parts Of the State. The great bulk Of the
delegates were eminently conservative in
their expressions, and their recommended
are unobjectional. No one can pre-
dict any harm, social or political, from the
action taken, while much good may result
to all classes if the principles enunciated,
with few exceptions, are carried out. We
have given all our available space to the
proceeding, which we doubt not will be
read with interest. We may hereafter COM
ment on some of the propositions adopted:
The BODY adjourned on Friday, the Both OF