The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-11-18
THE FARMERS MEET.
THE FULL PROCEEDINGS OF THEIR
RECENT CONVENTION.


The State Farmers Convention was
called to order by Capt. B. r. Tillman
in Agricultural Hall, Columbia, S. c.,
at y o'clock Tuesday the 9th instant.
Capt. Tillman delivered an address
pointing out supposed abuses in the
administration of the State govern
ment, suggesting remedies for their
abatement, urging the necessity for
stronger organization among the far
mers, and recommending the immediate
establishment of an agricultural col
lege. He contended that the college
should be put under the control of a
Board of Agriculture, elected. by Far
merS' Conventions, and asserted that
such convention was just as cOmpe
tent to elect this board us the Legisla
ture. He expressed the opinion that
the Agricultural College could be sup
ported by the privileged tax on COM
snercial fertilizers and the proceeds of
the interest on the land scrip, the two
aggregating about $4,000.
The convention was not so well at
tended as the April convention, and
lacked much of the enthusiasm display
ed at the first meeting. This may he due
to the fact that the farmers are settling
down to solid business purposes, and the
attendance was probably diminished on
account of the attractions at the fair
grounds. =.
Aiken, Barnwell, Beaufort, George
town, Hampton, Horny, Lancaster, and
York were not. represented. The bal
ance of the counties had the popular
number of delegates.
At the conclusion of Capt. Tillman's
address. Hon. W. J. Talbert, Of
Edgelield, was nominated and elected
Chairman of the convention. with J. L.
Duncan, Of Newberry, and Dr.. ". =.
Anderson, Of Abbeville. is Secretaries.
\ Committee on Credentials was ap-
pointed. and the convention adjourned
until 7:S0 p. m.
The Farmers Convention met
promptly at $50. Several delegates
from Spartanburg, not present at the
morning session, reported. Gen. +. L.
Stackhouse, of Mason, reported con-
stitution and bylaws for the permanent
organization, which was adopted as I
whole without debate. Mr.. d. X. Nor
ris, of Anderson, was unanimously
elected permanent President, with the
following Vice-PreSidents Il. S. Be
don, of Colleton; w. J. Talbert, Of
Edgelield; Joel Beard, Of Oconce; Geo.
Shell, Of LaurenS; ". y. Ancruni, of
Nershaw; L. II. Stackhouse, Of Marion;
E. J. Rembert. of Sumter; J. r. Duncan,
of Newberrys and ". p. Addison. Of
Abbeville, Treasurer. The following
Executive Committee was chosen :
E, 3. r. Tillman, G.. II. Schever, J. g. Tin
v-Jall, J. S. Porcfer, r. S. 'Rrice and H.
r. Thomas. A Committee on Resolu-
tions, composed Of one from each
county was appointed.
\ number of resolutions were intro
duced, the following being the most
important, recommending the estab-
lishment of an Agricultural College,
the reorganization of the Department
of Agriculture, the creation of the office
of Inspector Of weights and measures;
requiring all parties purchasing seed
cotton to pay a license OF five hundred
dollars, the reduction Of the number of
county offices by combining treasurer
and auditor, the establishment of a far
mers's bank, the, discontinuance Of ap-
preparation for the support of the mill
TIA. the calling of State Constitutional
Convention and urging an increase in
the phosphate royalty. At 10 o'clock
the convention adjourned until $50
o'clock Wednesday, the 10th instant. At
that hour business was resumed, and
Capt. Tillman, chairman of the COM
mittec, submitted the following plat
form.
The committee on resolutions beg
leave to make the following report
After due consideration Of the vari
ous resolutions referred to lis, and talk
ing into consideration the power in
vested in us to make independent re-
Communications of our own volitiOn,
we submit the following 'platform rs
embracing the substance Of such reso-
buttons us were acted upon in the COM
mittee. and as indicating the reforms
and measures which we deem of great
Importance to our interests rs farmers
and citizens:
We, the farmers Of South Carolina in
Convention assembled, after mature
tleliberation and after i'll the light and
experience gained since our last Con-
yention from the fullest discussion
among ourselves rs the general ola jcctS
to De attained, hereby express our con-
tinucd mistaken confidence in our for
lner association as now organized TO
accomplish great good for the State, if
properly conducted and kept within
legitimate bounds, and we hereby rcit-
crate our determination that there shall
be henceiorth in South Carolina, I'LL
organization for the protection and adj
vancemcnt Of our agricultural inter
rStS In fGrthCrancC Of this purpose.
and as cml,oAying the present views Of
iGp mowers Of ihp 81 1tp Wn rrSppct-
fully urge upon our General Assembly
the necessity and ddvisability Of the
following measures:
First. The establishment Of q real
Agricultural College, separate and dis
tinct from the South Carolina College,
and modelled after those Of Michigan
and Mississippi We believe that the
necessary fund to build and equip this
institution can Dc secured 10y Topping
Off needless expenditures. aholishing or
l. . l