The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-05-05
THE CONVENTION.

DINA farmers, would doubtless be
of the greatest interest to the read
crs of the ADVERTISER, but to give
Il detailed account of the numer-
Il speeches, resolutions etc, would
fill III columns for months to come.
On Il outside will be found a
full synopsis of the proceedings.
The leader of this movement, is
nothing if not critical" and one
who so freely exercises the undis-
putcd right to criticisc others, must
expect to be himself watched.
However, we propose to be fair and
just in everything we say.
Mr.. B. X. Tillman is undoubtedly
the movcing spirit Of the convcn-
ton. Hisopcning address, as awholc
contains practical suggestions to the
farmers, which will benefit them if
followed. without injuring others.
We presume no has cvcr been
so unjust, as to accuse Mr.. Tillman
or his followers, of becoming will
full instrument for the disruption
of the Democratic Party. Such an
idea would stamp any man who adj
vanccd it, as a fool, to say the
least. The ncn who compose
this convention are the staunch
and sturdy democrats of '76, and
nothing is further from their pur-
pose than to disturb for a moment
the equilibrium of the grand old
party that redeemed the State.
But, there ire those who did fear
that the Convention might
such Il political shade as to have a
different effect from that intended.
If they had claimed u right to
nominate State officers; if this
down troddcn" majority, who
have organized as Il farmers con-
vcntion, should nominate candi-
dates, these candidates would run,
not as democrats, but as farmers.
And, whether such be the intcn-
ton or not, this course would sink
in oblivion forever the party now
in power. 1t would be II death
blow to Democrcy.
What this convention will do, is
Il question which tim, only can
answer; but perhaps some idea of
what it will try to do, can be gath
cred from II series Of resolution
offered by Mr.. Tilman, Il synopsis
of which we take from the News
AMI COuricr:
lis Iis st l 81" urge the LcgiislJp4tgg ,,. to oy e. Ir'
!. "9H%ii!|nicni college, m9odcil"d after tie
those of Michigan and Mississippi. ID.
The control and and management of
OF tins college to be vested in the board
of agriculture. Sd. The establishment
of an experimental station III conncc
ton with this college. 18th. TO mcmori-
aliZe CONGRESS- to pass the Hatch bill
now pending, apprnprinting Sl5,oWs anu
ally in each State for the establishment
OF cxpcrimental stations. 9Th. Protesting
against this money, i'll case the bill pas
scs, being rccicvcdby the trustees ofthc
South Carolina College. Every dollar
spent on the agricultural me of that
College is so much money wasted. We
don't acknowledge that h lawyers and
professional men are the proper persons
to control and manage an agricultural
college. 9th. The board of agri-
culture to be elected by IL convention
OF farmers. to meet annually i'll Colum-
bia: that board to consist of ten mem
bers, five elected each year, and to ave
power to elect Il secretary, who shall
perform the duties of the present ON
missioner. 18th. That in order to sustain
this college the privilege tax on the
sale of fertilizers he doubled, which
would give an income of about 10000,
which, with tho 300 arising from tho
land scrip, would be sufficient to sup
port it. Sth The inspection of fertilizers
is now deficient and unsatisfactory and
additional lcSis alton is needed. Cot
ton seed meal, whether used rs %fertiliz-
CT or as stock food, should be subject
to analysis. 9th. The Citadel Academy
ut Chnrlcston should be abolished,
ssmnnn,n the money glven to the
ton should DO charged with the
trustees to grant free tuition to dcscrv-
ing youths. 10th. ~ school to be opened
at the Citadel, for girls, in place OF that
II. litary dude factory now there,
and to be literally supported by the
state. nth. \ committee of seven to
be appointed to present these matters to
the General Assembly in person and to
help secure the passage ofthc measures
indicated.
Now, we see no particular Objcc-
tons, to these resolutions, which
we will here mention except
to the 9th, which is:
Tn Board of Agriculture to be
elected by n convention Of farmers,
tc meet annually in Columbia.
Section 5Sl Gen. Stat. provides
that the Board of Agriculture shall