The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-07-22
over $4,000, were being robbed of
S5OO.OOO without knowing it. The last

report OIL CIlC SUllillIAoSlOuCl VI NSi L
culture having shown one-third of the
guano sold in the State was below the
guarantee. The farmers spend nearly
S3.OOO,OOO in fertilizers, which is keep
ing them poor, and yet they quietly
sebmit to frauds upon them without
furnishing the offenders. If we had
Agricultural Colleges the chemists
could analyZe them and teach the boys
to do so. The analysis of fertilizers
for the last three years has cost an
average of $50 on each brand. We
have been told by Professor Joynes, Of
the south Carolina College, that the
chemist OF the College and Prof. Nc
Bride offered to have it done Tor 80
per brand; why it was not accepted, he
could not tell.
It had seemed to be the policy Of the
State Government to create as many
offices as possible, thereby increasing
taxes.
He regretted to say that the
Legislature of South Carolina had
fallen so low as to create offices to
keep up broken down arlstocrats, (thls
was greeted with great applause.)
Abiding to the Board OF Agrlcul-
ture and its present composition ne
asked why it was that practical far
mers were not selected as members OF
that Board rather than professional
men and politicians? After paying a
handsome compliment to Chancellor
Johnson, the lawyer on the Board, he
said his opposition to that gentleman
being a member arose from the fact
that while he did not doubt his fitness
it was solely on principle. If Chancel-
lor Johnson came from Marion through
the peoples channel, the Agricultural
Society, he would he the last man to
object to him. He then explained how
the Board of Agriculture should be
chosen, viz: by farmers convention,
and not by the Legislature, thus taking
the matter out of politics. He dwelt
on the lamentable fact that Aiken had
only one agricultural club and urged all
classes to organize a county society and
showed how, if all classes put their
shoulders to the wheel to advance their
interest. How would board of agri-
culture selected by delegates from
these societies represent only one class ?
That the lawyers and merchants could
do a great deal by sympathizing with
this movement.
After explaining how farmers insti-
tutes were conducted, he read an article
from "The Country Gentlemen" show
ing that 46 had been held in Ohio last
winter at an expense less than S2,OOO.
We buy everything from the Yankees;
why not benefit by their experience:
This system of electing Board OF
Agriculture is in vogue in nearly all
the Northern States, and is superior to
our political convention where men
are elected on the principle,
'Tickle me, Jimmy. tickle me true;
You tickle ME and III tickle YOU"
They have accused me of hunting
office. Where is the honor of going to
Columbia and being bootlick? All
men are not so, but we can't deny that
many of the farmers that have gone
there have followed some old General
or Colonel, and has been voted by him.
I want to join no such procession. If
1 ever get office, and l will be put to
the test, it will be when the people de-
mand my services, and not before.
The speaker seeing that it was din
ner time, desired to stop, but amid
cries of go on 60 on!'' he proceeded.
He next referred to the charge that the
farmers movement was inimical to the
Democratic party. He lived in Edge
field-he was proud Of it-and his
Democracy was above suspicion; that
it made his blood boil to have in
insinuations cast against his fealty to
the Democracy, especially when the
charge came from men who had en-
deavored to compromise with Chamber
lain in 1876 and fasten Radicalism on
us perpetually, while he and the un-
terrified straightouts of Edgefeld and
Aiken were risking lives and liberty
in the Hamburg aud Elleton riots.
The farmers are like Balaam's ass.
They see perdi;ion yawning ahead OF
them. While I, as their spokesman,
have pointed out the danger and re-
monstrated, they refuse to advance,
while the ring who misgovern the
State arc belaboring the poor ass with
the Democratic club and urging SUBJ
mission, holding up a probable split IN
the party as a bugaboo to frighten us.
But because we are Democrats and see
and feel the necessity OF keeping the
grand old party intact, there is no rea-
son why we should not reform it.
Every ulcer which was eating into the
body poltitic in '76 is still gnawing at
our vitals, and there is no earthly real
son why we farmers-who are the
greatest sufferers-should not take
such steps to bring about reform and
redress Of grievances as we deem ne
cessary, this can only be done by
organized effort and concert of action,
and you will cry in vain for reduction
of taxes and correction of abuses until
YOU think and vote on other than per-
sonal issues. lie then pointed out the
miSmanagement and waste in our free
school fund by its being frittered and
divided, and urged the establishment
Of school districts five miles square,
with one school in the center for each
race, thus securing longer terms and
better teachers. Our present school
districts arcdivided by roads and creeks
and very irregularin shape.
The County Commissioners, as