Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-05-06

LEGISLATURE meets and make such %presenta-
ton of facts and arguments as will help
secure their passage.
The resolutions were considered SeriatIm
and adopted; some of them however elicit
ing considerable discussion, and after their
adoption as a whole, the Convention took a
recess until 3 p. NJ.
AFTERNOON SESSION.
The Convention re-assembled at 3 p. NJ,
Mr.. Talbert, of Edgefeld, occupying the
chair.
A number of resolutions from the COM
mittee were taken up and disposed OF.
Resolution Of Mr.. Hawthorne that it is
the sense of this Farmers Convention of
South Carolina assembled, that the nomi-
nation Of all State officers and Congressman
should be committed directly to the peo-
pie in primary elections. Adopted.
Mr.. Observation-Disclosures, That this con-
vention recommend to the farmers and all
others in the State who faver a closer econo-
my in government, that they elect mem
bers of the Legislature and of the State
government pledged to reduce the expens-
es to the lowest point that will secure
efficiency in the administration. Adopted.
a resolution by Mr.. w. D. Evins, Of
Marlboro, declaring that much of the de.
preston and suffering was to be attributed
to the extravaganza, living above their
means, imprudence and incidence of the
farmers, was laid on the table.
The resolution for appointing a commit
tee to investigate the financial offices of
the State with a view to discovering the
causes of Wastefulness and mal-appropri-
alton was reported back from the commit
tee with the statement that there was no
ground for the charges implied in the reso-
luton and that no committee be appointed.
The following resolutions, introduced by
the committee, were adopted:
ResOlred, That the present Constitution OF
the State does not meet the requirements
and conditions of our people, and in some
respects is burdensome and oppressive.
We therefore urge the legislature to call a
Constitutional Convention at the earliest
practicable day to give us an organic law
suited to our wants.
Resotred, The Lien Law has, in our opin-
ion, been most pernicious in it's effect on
the agricultural interest of the State, en-
ticing people in debt, encouraging extrava-
gance, undermining that sturdy independ-
ence and self reliance so necessary to the
preservation of the high morale of any
people, and we recommend it's repeal.
Resolred, We believe the independence
and efficiency of our judiciary would be
increased by making their tenure of office
during good behavior up to 80 years.
Resoired, We believe that a Legislature
anxious to be economical can lessen taxa
ton by abolishing useless offices and many
minor expenses, which in the aggregate
amount to many thousands of dollars
The Committee on Permanent Organiza-
ton recommends that an organization be
formed to be known as the 1.-THE Agricultu-
raj Association of South Carolina - that the
members Of this association shall consist Of
delegates by the County Associations on the
basis of the representation of each in the
General Assembly of the State, said dele
gates to be elected on salesday in October,
and to hold Office for one year or till their
successors are elected, the first meeting of
the association to meet in Columbia on the
second Tuesday in November.
But the committee respectfully submits
that they have not sufficient time during
the sitting of the convention to draft rules
and regulations for the government Of said
association, as they deem that a matter OF
too much Importance to be hastily drafted,
and they respectfully recommend that the
President of this convention appoint a COM
mittee of seven, one from each COMPRESSION
al District, to draft rules and regulations
for the government of said association, to
be submitted to the first meeting Of the
State association. The committee further
recommends that the delegations in the
convention from the counties that have no
organizations take steps looking to the
formation of such organizations so that all
the counties may be represented next No
vember.
E. r. STACKHoUsE, for Committee.
The following was offered as an amend
ment to the above:
That an Executive Committee of one from
each county be appointed by the President
at his leisure, who shall take the necessary
steps to organize the farmersof their respec-
tive counties, continuing the present agita-
ton till after the next election, so as to Sc
cure a Legislature which will carry out our
course as expressed in this convention.
Mr.. Sigh, of Newberry, offered the fol-
lowing resolution, which was adopted:
Resolred, as the sense of this convention,
That consistent with the actual necessities Of
the government, wisely and economically
administed; that, as far as possible, raw
material and the prime necessaries of life
and important industries ought to be adj
mitted free of duty and that our Congress-
men be requested to use their best efforts,
at all times and on all occasions, to secure
the modification, in this sense, of our pres
ent most unjust and burdensome tariff.
Mr.. Donaldson, of Greenville, offered the
following, which were adopted:
Whereas, The reports of the Comptroller
General show a most unequal and unjust
distribution of the burthens of taxation,
through a want of proper equalization Of
the property of the State, both real and per-
sonal; and whereas, it is also shown that a
large per centum of the property of the
State is not returned for taxation, and that
the property returned for taxation, and
is not assessed at it's market value, thus
depriving the State of her just revenues,
and increasing the burthens of those who
honestly pay their taxes; and whereas,
the burthens of taxation are being an
nually increased by the steadily increas-
ing amount of the lands forfeited to the
State for non-payment of taxes, and now
amounting to 1850 acres, upon which
there is $685., Ill due; and which land,
while nOminaUy the property of the State,
and paying no taxes, remains in possession
of the owners, who continue to enjoy its
possession and profits; and whereas, these
and many other evils are attributable, in
part, at least, to a defective system of taxa
ton therefore, be it
ResOfred, That the taxpayers of the State
have a right to demand of the Legislature
such amendments to the present tax laws as
will correct the defects complained OF. =.
That it is the sense of this convention that
the laws of the State should be so amended
as to effect particularly the following re-
suits, to wit: A fuller and complete re-
turn of personal property; a more correct
valuation of all property, real and person.
al; such an equalization of the valuation OF
property as will fix the assessed value and
the selling price throughout the State upon
an equal basis, and throw upon each county
only it's just proportion Of taxes; and such
a disposition of the forfeited lands of the