The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1888-11-22
THE FARMERS, MOVEMENT,
Annual Meeting of the State Association
In Columbia

COLUMBIA, November 14.-The annual
Convention of the Farmers Association of
South Carolina was called to order at
$50 tonight in the hall of agriculture by
President D. K. Norris. There were
seventy members and about thirty visi-
tors present. The president delivered
his annual address. Hesaid:
"After the close of your last Conven.
tionit was confidently asserted that the
Farmers movement was dead, that the
short session denoted want of vitality,
and the Legislature, more or less i'm.
pressed with such convictions, boldly
went forward in its premeditated work of
enlarging the expenses and uselessness of
the agricultural annex of the South
Carolina College, spreading and causing
deep root in face of the fact that you,
representing the farming interests of the
State, which is to be benefited or hurt by
such action, had twice spoken remonstra-
ting with such course as an Objectionable
scheme.
esThe money donated by Congress for
the educational use of the industrial
classes had been appropriated to pur-
pose condemned by the people for whom
it was given, and that an equally large
sum contributed by yourselves was
also voted to consummate this we'll laid
political scheme.
"The reports and charges against Gov.
ernor Richardson did not emanate from
your committee or from those who were
its exponents.
II firmly believe that they were scan
dalously circulated by your opponents,
and charged to you for political effect.
Governor Richardson is an honorable
gentleman, and let the man be inJaala
saotatus who insinuates otherwise. Ap.
plause. We never antsgonized Cover
nor Richardson. 1t was his position on
certain questions in which ne were con-
cerned.
'sThe tricks of the canvass in nomina.
ting delegates in many counties before
the State campaign was made, the mutual
support under pressure given by the State
officers, the thorough organization and
political experience of the ring with
whom we had to deal, added to the anon.
aluus position of the candidate we agreed
on, defeated us. Applause.
"Without relief is given the people and
concession of substantial nature are
made my convictions are q charge as
radical as il 1876 will be made in 1890,
nor will abuse of the hero, Tillman by
partisan newspapers or further mystifica.
ton of the politics Of the State stay it.
"What we want ig relief and recogni.
ton. The munifcent bequest of Mr.
Clemson has eliminated the plea Of pow
erty from the list of objections to the
establishment of an agricultural college.
The fund accruiBg to the State upon its
acceptance of that bequest was, in the
opinion of gentlemen learned in the Law,
available for the erection of the necessary
buildings.
1.-THE property is magnificent and the
funds given by Congress for the advance.
ment Of agriculture in this~State should
be given to its support and diverted from
the maintenance of a system at once un-
popular and improbable. More than
this, the State should cover every dollar
bequeathed by Mr.. Clemson for the edu-
cation of the sons of it's sturdy yeomen.
It has been said that the State should not
accept the bequest, because it could not
control the management OF the college
when erected.
aThe fallacy Of this statement was
obvious. MIR. Clemson's executor was
instructed to deed the property to the
State, not to the seven trustees. Should
the State accept the bequest in the time
specified it will pass into the ownership
and absolute control of the Stale; bis
seven trustees, like the six chosen by the
Legislature, will be in the hands of the
State, and can do nothing without the
consent of the Legislature.
"Whether the Clemson bequest is &C
cepted or not, you should stand by your
demand for separate college, and the
funds not being spent should be husband
ed and allowed to accumulate until such
time as the Courts will pass upon this
,bequest or the Legislature has acced.
ed to the demands of the people for an
agricultural college. Until We have this
college for the education of the masses
and until more economical admins
tration of State affairs is entered on, the
Farmers Association of South Carolina
cannot, will not, must not die"
Nominations for officers were declared
in order. President Norris was nominated
for reelection by several persons at the
same moment. Mr.. Norris declined to be
candidate and Mr.. M T.. Donaldson, oi
Greenville, and Mr.. G. w. She'll, of Lau
rens were next nominated. Mr.. Shell de-
clined To run against MIR. Donaldson
Mr.. Donaldson declined. They were
both re. nominated. Finally Mr.. Donald:
sons name was withdrawn and Mr.. Shell
was elected by reclamation. Vice Presi'
dents, NJ. l.. Donaldson, of Greenville
G.. Leaphart, ofLexington, and ]. N
King, of AbbeYille.
a number of resolutions we're offered
and referred to the committee on resolu
tions, who reported favorably upon the
following, which we're adopted.
By j. @. Stribling, of Oconee:
Whereas, the Hon. Thomas g. Clemson
deceased, did by his last will and tesla
ment donate 20 the State of South Caro-.
lima large property for the purpose Of
establishing an agricultural college at
Fort Hill in said State, and whereas we
the farmers of South Carolina, feel the
need of an agricultural education and very
much desire the said college to be estab.
lished be it therefore
Resolved, That the Legislature be ur.
gently requested to pass joint resolution
at its ensuing session to the effect that the
State will accept the Clemson bequest
whenever the will shall have been estab.
lished.
A resolution was adopted commencing
certain newspapers (names not given who
had worked in the interest of the "agri-
cultural movement" to the members of
the organization for their preference and
support.
Mr.. B. o. Duncan offered resolution
that this Convention suggest to the next
Legislature the names of Eve gentlemen
to fiji the vacancies about to occur on the
board of agriculture. The resolution was