The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-03-16

' S'Seoioui'hS vi IL paiu Oy
farmers, to educate men for other pro-
fessions and pursuits the farmers get
nothing. and are left to gropc tn cir way
toward the grave in ignorance and it's
consequent poverty. Even the the pit
tance donated to educate farmers by the
United States government is taken from
US and appropriated to sustain the insti-
tuition Mt which our future masters are
being trained. How thankful We should
be to the good Lord for such generosity
and wisdom among our statesmen So
called!
Again, we pay $4,000 annually by
specific tax, which comes out of the
farmer alone, to sustain the department
Of agriculture. A good slice Of this is
spent to cellect the phosphate roaylty,
which goes to support the State govern
ment, and the rest is frittered and wasted
so fur rs we can see, the only benefit
received by the farmers being a par
tial protection against fraudulent rcrtili-
ZerS.
a majority Of the board Of agricul-
ture are not engaged in farming. Who
wonders. then, that so little has been
done by it to benefit our farming inter-
ests ?
-Four bad crops out Of five and the
onsequent poverty of tine farmers cry
aloud for economy and the reduction of
taxes. But this cry, which came from
every county, was ignored by the last
legislature, which also refused to obey a
mandate of the constitution to provide
for reappointment Of representatives by
taking census. 1t is small wonder,
then, that nothing was done to protect
farmers against robbery by dishonest
fertilizer manufacturers.
The legislature which recently nd.
journed, though not corrupt, has been
very negligent of the public welfare.
The thoughtful and intelligent farmers
OF the State can not afford
to elect another such body of law.
makers and constitutional breakers. Nor
can they afford to7'stiow the agri-
cultural interests Of the State 10 be sub
ordinated to every thing else. and no
effort made to foster and protect them.
Other States with less expenditure than
we are making, are doing ten times as
much to encourage and assist those en-
gagged in farming. But the money spent
is not entrusted to politicians. The
farmers manage and control it them
selves.
Believing, therefore, that the crisis
demands prompt and united action on
the part Of the true and loyal farmers of
State, and that convention of such can
only rebound to the benefit Of agricul-
tural and consequently Of every other
interest and calling, we call such con-
vention to meet in the city Of Columbia,
Thursday, the 29th. Of next April, to
take into consideration the question
touched upon in this address, together
with such other matters as they may
deem Of Importance to the political,
social. educational or industrial in.
terests Of the farmers and Of the
State.
Each county agricultural society is
requested to send five delegates.
Each local or township agricultur-
al club is requested to srnd enc dele
gate.
The farmers Of each county are re.
quested to send five delegates over and
above those from organized socities, and
to effect this it is suggested those in
sympathy with the movement call q
mass meeting or county convention of
farmers in their respective counties to
appoint said delegates.
II the wisest and best Of our farmers
thus assemble we feel and believe there
is enough Of both patriotism and states
manship among US to find remedies
for these evils, and, without trenching
upon the rights of others. manhood
enough to domand and obtain q proper
recognition Of rights and needs.
While this is essentially a farmers
movement we invite the sympathy and
moral support Of good mon of every
calling. Agriculture is the basis of our
economic structure and supports the
rest. 1t can not rise without carrying
with it the supeistructuIe.
There is among the politicians in
South Carolina an up country and low
country. There is no such line of divis.