The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1886-07-07
THE POLITICAL POWER OF THE FARM
ERS,

Secret Session...The Secret Session
is Resolved into an Open Caucus
of Farmers--.Their Nominees for
the State Convention are Elected.
Tho County Farmers Club met in the Court
House last Monday at 1910 o clock, j. II. Nor
rah In the Chair, and + w. Watson, Secreta-
in June was read and approved. The follow
ing roll Of clubs was lied:
Abbeville, Long Cane,
Bradley, Mt. Carmel,
Bellevue. Magnolia,
Due West, Ninety-SiX,
Donalds, Stony Point.
A. w. Jones proposed constitutional amend
col clubs full power of regularly elected dele
gates TO the County Club.
The chair announced that Capt. Tillman,
had been heard from, and that he had re-
contents of his letter. That he would address
the farmers OF Abbeville county between the
25th of July and the lst of August.
gust would suit us best. He therefore moved
that Capt B. r. Tlllman be invited to address
the farmers Of Abbeville county on Sale Day
In August.
David Aiken proposed to have regular mcet-
ings of the club at stated intervals. Once a
month Is too often to meet; 1t Is incohVen-
lent to meet every month. Three or ionr
call special meeting to hear Capt. Tiilman
In August. Our next regular meeting should
not be l,eIore Sale Day in October.
Capt. Kings resolution was then put aud
adopted.
The chair announced that If there was no
other business before the club that rcsolu-
ton to adjourn would be In order.
Capt. w. D. Mars moved that the club go
into secret session. He moved that the
club 60 into a committee OF the whole, and
that Spectators be invited to retire.
On the announcement Of this proposition a
large proportion of persons present began IL
move to the door.
II. w. Bowie observing the press reporters
still at their desk asked: Mr.. President, we
have excluded everybody else. What about
the newspaper reporters?
1t was then decided that their presence was
no longer needed, and the newsgatherers took
their pencils and hats In hand, and LETT the
hall. After their departure, we learn that the
door was closed behind them.
THE SECRET MEETING.
The meeting being in solemn assembly
with no other ear TO hear and with no news
paper reporter present, we learn that affairs
proceeded somewhat after this fashion:
l.. M. Moore said: am sorry, Mr. Chair.
man. that the spectators have been excluded
have been closed. We have no favors to ask
of anybody, but we have iaTors TO give, anu
we ought to act openly and above board.
The Chairman said lie had doubts as to the
propriety of the course just taken, ano
Thought 1t we'll to open the doors again. The
rules of the club forbid the consideration o
political questions, and he thought 1t best not
hold secret meetings.
would adjourn, we, as individuals, could i'm
mediately organize .cancus independent o.
the farmers club.
This proposition Immediately met with fa
ol ,t, oHt n6 N
Cant. w y. Mars was called TO the chair and
A. w. Jones was requested to act as secre
tary.
liz meeting or open caucus of farmers who
had assembled to make such nominations as
Chcy might think to the best interest OF inc
farmers.
door omen, end parties passed in and out n
pleasure from this time on, alth0uch tn0st
who had been excluded were neither inVlteo
back, nor informed OF the change as 10 the
secrecy of the meeting. ~
select seven men whose names should DC pre-
scented to the Democratic Ciuo as Iartner
delegates TO the State Convention. lie mndc
this motion under instructions rom DIS loch
club at Nincty-SiX 10 secure for the FARMERS q
majority of the delegates which this county
might send to the State Convention. fie'salu
he understood that there were ten or iweive
candidates at Abbcviic. who were seeking u
be elected. Delegates to the County Ciub nave
bccn met at every corner by the friends Of the
different candidates, and II looked 10 MIN a.
II something had been cnt ana ariea. IL IL
therefore, the farmers would have representa-
tion they must select their candidates, ano
present them to the Democratic club.
John E. Bradley thought It we'll to make m
equal division-half and hall:
+. w. II. Nance said that he thought the
farmers were entitled to ten delegates, and ne
would therefore suggest that number.
W. d. Mars was in favor of the farmers
naming six Of the twelve DELEGATES.
4. w. Jones, proposed that they compro
mise on eight. 1his proposition was accept
cd when II was announced that nomination.
were in order. The following names were
then presented, but In what Oruer VIC aIc uu
able TO report:
j. Z. Bradley,
f. W. Watson,
]. H. Morrah,
]. NJ. Moore,
RI. Robinson,
]. f.. prownlee,
David Aiken,
W. D. Mars,
W. T. Cowan,
B. NJ. Clinkscales,
A. w. Smith,
w. T.. BarmOre.
TIP. Milford put the numc Of General r. r
Hemphill in nomination. He said the Gener
nj was q suitable man for the place, ana $1,000
high with the people: ,,,
David Aiken asked 1t he was iarIner. re
Thought none buL farmers snoulu pc PuI ~
nom nation.
r. II. Armstrong said he was not mrmei
and the nomination Of General Hemphll
would be out Of order. ,,r,
]. E. Bradley thought General HemphilI
was q good man, and one not ohJcctlonaoie
to the farmers, but as he was NOT a. Iar.i,ti, u
might be well not to put him IN nominntloE
At this point Mr.. Milford withdrew his nom
ination OF General uemphill.
Tellers were appointed, and the clectlon "aS
now gone into, with the following result.
J. f. Bradley,-...""......... Notcs.
7 TT NIorroh ........... 60 votes.