The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1886-06-16
FARMERS COUNTY CONVENTION.

FARMERS CoUNTY CONVENTION.
II Convention, composed OF eighty
one representative farmers of Laurcns
County, met in convention Juno 10th.
Capt. &. w. Shell called the Meeting to
order at lO11 o'clock, and in opening tho
meeting made a few remarks and Gao
an address. He congratulated the peo-
pie upon their successful organization.
This conventions, said lie, has but one
object, II purpose: to accomplish somo
good for tho poor people. 1t is your
duty to look around and SEQ il wc have
not some extravaganza in the manage
ment OF our domestic affairs. Thcn YOU
may go farther and enquire if all is well
in the affairs Of State. You NAV venture
to inspect the grand old commonwealth,
to sec if the machinery of governmont
Is suited to our poverty-strickcn people.
His part in this organization, no said
has not boon personal, but by virtue Of
his appointment he had organized clubs,
and, although he has been charged with
having am eye on tho Office of Secretary
OF state and even the Comptroll II Cen
orals Office he rcpudiatod the charge. lie
said he could not afford, undcr his pres
cnt surrounding to give up the Clerk't
oiico for any other. He stated that it
WAS the privilege of the Convention, If
they deemed it c%xpedicnt, to suggest
certain candidates for tho Legislature.
The Convention then proceeded to en-
roll tho names Of delegates and perfect
the organization. DR.. WINS. Wright
was elected temporary Chairman and
Mr.Aaron Cannon temporary Secretary.
Afterwards, Capt. G.. w. Shell was elect
cd permanent Chairman and Mr.. Aaron
cannon permanent Secretary. Capt. j.
ID. Byrd was elected LIST Nicc-Presidont
and DIR. WINS. Wright I'd Vice-Presi-
dent.
n Executive Committee, consisting
of two members elected by the Central
Club of each township, was confirmed.
DIR. Patton hen offered The following
resolutions,
Resolved, LIST. That we recommend a
change of law, 80 that the County shall
not be required to pay cost, except in
cases Of felony, or when acting as Coro-
ncr.
2d. That we recommend tho abolition
of the Office of County Auditor, and that
tho business of that Office be gwen to
the County Treasurer.
Sd. That tho Probate Judge be re-
CURED to settle all estates coming into
his hands, without necessarily burden
ing the estate with tho employment OF
an attorney.
18th. That we recommend that appro-
priations to the South Carolina College,
the Citadel and Columbia Canal, be dig
confined.
9Th. That we recommend tho repeal of
the Lien Law.
All of these resolutions were adopted,
except the fourth, which, after a FREQ
discussion, was tabled.
1t appeared to this reporter that the
sentiment of the Convention was strong
ly In favor of South Carolina College,
and as strongly against tho Citadel and
Canal.
Just here wo desire to make especial
mention of the able, patriotic and con-
servative speeches OF DIR. d.. l.. Ander-
son, Capt. j.. B. Humbcrt, DR.. j. r..
Smith and Capt. j. d.. Byrd, in defence
of the South Carolina College.
Capt. Humbert hen introduced reso-
l%utions, which will, IL taken IA the plat
form of the farmers, gain the hearty sup
port OF every man who really has the
good of the country ut heart. They are
as follows:
WHEREAS, the present financial OBJ
preston has reduced the market value
OF all farm products to a small margin
of profit, and whereas the present taxes
of our State mt County appear TO BIO
high I'm proportion to tho valuation OF
said property.
WHEREAS, the State in convention
did assemble to relieve or recommend
some plan by which relief might be Sc
cured, and to place the Agricultural In
teiest of the state upon " safe and prOs-
porous basis. Therefore, be IT.
ResOtved, LIST. That we regard with fa-
vor the movement, on the part Of tho
farmers throughout tho state, to organ
izo themselves into societies a..d clubs
for the purpose of promoting tho para
mount interest of the State.
ID. That wo do not doom IL prudent
under the present financial depression
to recommend or adopt any measure
that would necessarily increase tho
taxes of the State; and furthermore,
tbpt W. make every legitimate effort to
reduce taxation.
Sd. That we urge upon the farmers of
the County and State tho great import
ancc OF making the farm seif-sustasning
by directing their efforts to diversified
industries, with the belief that He, who
sendeth tho early and the late rains,
viii rewnfd the. faithful efforts Of honest