The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1886-11-17
J COMING TO THE FRONT.
South Carolina Farmers in Convention
| A Few Practical Suggestions to
| II the Law Makers.

! The farmers of South Carolina
are awake, and they >are moving.
They held a rousing convention in
Con umbia last "Wednesday, at which
the following platform was re-
ported by the coWmittee on resolu-
ton and adopted:,
After due copsideration of the va
rious resolutions referred to us, and
taking into consideration the power
invef fted in US to make independent
recoh hendatons of our own voli-
ton we submit the following plat
form as enhbodying the substance Of
such resolutions az were acted upon
tavbrably by the committee, and as
ind dicating the reforms and measures
which we deem of great Importance
toy our interests as farmers and citi-
zsns:
| We, the farmers of South Carroll
ha, in convention assembled, after
mature deliberation, and after all the
flight and experience gained since our
last convention from the fullest dis
cussion among ourselves as to the
general objects to be attained, here
by express our continued and unsha-
ken confidence in our farmers associ-
atom as now organized to accom-
plish great good for the State, if
properl y conducted and kept within
legitimate bounds, and we hereby
reiterate our determination that
there shall be hent eforth in South
Carolina an organizat on for the pro-
lection and advancement of our ag-
ricultural interests.
In furtherence of this purpose, and
as embodying the present views Of
the farmers of the State, we respect
fully urge upon our General Assem-
bly, the necessity and advisabiIity of
the following measures:
1. The establishment of a real ag-
ricultural college, separate and dis
tinct from the South Carolina Col
lege, and modelled after those of Mis-
sissippi and Michigan. We believe
that the necessary funds to build and
equip this institution can be secured
by looping off needless expenditures
and abolishing or consolidating use
less Offices, without increased taxa
ton. We further recommend, as a
means to assist in building the insti7
tuition, that the different counties of
the State be empowered to bid for
it by offering bonds or land.
2. That an experimental station
should be established at orin connec-
ton with said agricultural and Ne
chanical College, the same to be un-
der the charge Of it's faculty, and
that we memorialize Congress to pass
the bill introduced by Mr. Hatch, and
now pending, which apropriates
SIS, 900 annually to each State for the
purpose, and that we ask our Sena-
tors and Congressman to use all
legitimate means to secure it's pass
age.
3. That in order that our agricul-
tural administration may be divorced.
as far as possible from politics and
politicians, and the best men quail
fed to perform these important,
duties be selected by those most COM
petent to judge, in order that we
may secure a board of agriculture at
once, efficient, Jealous and represen-
tative, who know our needs and will
try to supply them, we also urge.
that instead of being chosen by the
Legislature they be elected by this
Farmers Association. The board of
agriculture should consist Of ten
members five elected annually. They
should have the power to elect their
own secretary, whose duties would
correspond with those of the presents
commissioner. Their duties would
be the same as the law imposes on
our present board, except as to the
collection Of the phosphate royalty
which should be given to the Comp
troller General. In addition they
should have control of the agricul-
tural college and experiment sta
ton, and should by means Of farmers
institutions build up and keep alive
coming agricultural associations.
4. That the system of inspection of
fertilizers is now defective, and no