The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-10
THE FARMERS CONVENTION.
The Agricultural College Discussed
Messrs. Sampson Pope and J. A. Sigh
AddreSs the Club.

called to order by Mr.. r. T. c. Hunter.
The calling of the roll was dispensed
with. The attendance from the county
was rather small. The resolution offered
by Mr.. +. Moon at the last meeting and
continued to this meeting was the first
business before the club. The rcsolu-
ton is as follows:
ResOlced, That the farmers of New
berry County should select their own
candidates for office by {; primary
election, or otherwise, previous to the
general election and the general prl-
maries, for by it alone can they succeed
in getting the best men.
On motion of Mr.. J. l.. keitt the res
olution was indefinitely postponed.
The president then called the atten-
ton of the club to the address issued by
the executive committee OF the State
Farmers Association. Mr.. Moon
thought the address should be read,
and on motion of Mr.. L. P. Miller the
address was read by the secretary for
the information Of the club.
Mr.. J. L. keitt then offered the fol-
lowing resolution
Resotved, That this club approve the
policy contained in the address issued
by the executive committee of the
Farmers State Association; and this
club respectfully requests all candidates
6, tf, ri hnr mel n
General Assembly, to express through
the newspapers published in Newberry
County, their views upon the proposed
establishment of a separate Agricul-
tural College, and upon the ''anneN" to
the State University, and to state how,
if elected, they would vote to establish
and sustain a separate Agricultural Col
lege.
Mr.. l.. p. Miller said he felt some
reluctance in expressing his views as
he had so recently moved to Newberry
and become member Of the club, but
he was opposed to having candidates
pledge themselves. What We wanted
in the Legislature was good sensible
men, practical men, to represent us. A
man should not define absolutely what
position he will take in the Legislature.
! An Agricultural College, nor the sup
port of one is not necessary to make
good representative. He cid not be-
lieve that an Agricultural College was
the thing most needed by the farmers.
We need men with habits of industry,
habits of thought, and a school
where a young man is taught these
things. We all know enough to make
good farmers if we would but do it.
Mr.. Moon thought the resolution
sounded too mild. He said We wanted
ali Agricultural College, and We wanted
it like they wanted a pistol in Texas,
and if we are to have it, we must de-
mand it of our representatives. And
we should not wait on Mr.. Clemson's
will, for when the lawyers got through
with it, it would be torn all to pieces.
| We should show that we were compe-
| tent to think and act for ourselves. If
there was anything that needed science
and the deepest science, it was farming.
We demand very little, but we must
demand the Agricultural College.
Mr.. Moon then offered the follow
ing resolution as substitute for Mr..
Keitt's, saying that he did not prepare
it, but he was willing to farther it.
Before Mr.. Moon read his resolution
Mr.. L. P. Miller replied at length, de
fining more fully his position in oppo-
sition to an Agricultural College. He
said, as rule, scientific men were not
successful as farmers. He favored the
establishment of an experimental sta
ton in each Congressional District in
the State as centre. Mr.. Miller
seemed alone in his position, but he
had the courage Of his convictions and
made a strong presentation of his side.
Mr.. Moon then read his resolutions
as follows:
Resolved l. That we demand the ac-
ceptance of the Clemson bequest by the
State, and that the Legislature make
the appropriations necessary for estab-
| fishing the Agricultural College.
Resoired 9. That farmers should vote
in the primary for no candidate who
will not fully pledge himself to vote
and work for the establishment of an
AgriculturalC College and the application
of the national funds and privilege tax
to the maintenance Of that institution.
Mr. George Johnstone desired to
know who prepared the resolutions.
Mr.. B. 0. Duncan then arose and said
he did, as containing the sentiments
contained in the address of the eXecu-
tive committee.
Messrs. Pope and Sigh, the two cam
didates for the Senate, then addressed
the club, stating their positions and
presenting their respective claims for
the position.
After these speeches Mr.. George
Johnstone addressed the club on the
motion before it. He said he had not
read the address issued by the exec
utive committee carefully. Some por-
tions of it he endorsed and some he did
not endorse. That portion of it which
| characterized the leaders of the Demo-
cratic party as selfish, as groveling and
unpatriotic, he did not endorse. He
had never seen that baseness Of motive
and shabbiness Of conduct on the part
of our Democratic leaders that the ad-
dress breathes forth as attributing to
them. The time had come he thought
when the constitution of the State
needed amendment. But the subject
matter Of the address and the main
thing for us to deal with was whether
or not We could be benefited by the es-
tablishment Of an Agricultural College,
and bV scattering our forces we lessen