The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-11-22
THE FARMERS CONVENTION.
a Largely Attended Meeting-Presiden'
Norris's Opening Address---He Strikes
Right and Left---Oficers Elected
and Committees Appointed.
Register, 15th.l

eSateS from twenty counties were pres
ent. The meeting, which was'a sizeable
one, was called to order by President
D. K. Norris, who greeted his associates
with the following address:
Gentlemen of the Convention God
in His goodness has permitted you to
again assemble in the discharge of a
duty which we believe to be the in
interest of the State.
After the close OF your last eonven-
ton, it was confidently asserted that
the farmers movement was dead,
that the short session denoted want of
vitality, and the Legislature, more or
less impressed with such convictions,
boldly went forward in its premedi-
tated work of enlarging the expenses
and uselessness of the agricultural an
mex of the South Carolina College,
spreading and causing it to take deeper
root, in the 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,
demonstrating with such course as an
Objectionable scheme, which did not
meet the requirements of the case, and
which could not succeed for want of
sympathy and support from those who
must patronize it to make it successful.
When your Executive Committee met
in April last, and issued it's address to
the people of the State, calling atten-
ton to the facts; that the money do
mated by Congress for educational use
Of the industrial classes had been appro-
priated to purpose condemned by the
people for whom it was given, and that
an equally large, sum contributed by
yourselves was also voted to consum-
mate this we'll laid political scheme,
and to the fact that there was ample
room and crying necessity on the part
of the State, which it grieves me to say
is tagging behind her sister States in
its onward march, for retrenchment
and economy in its expenditures, there
was a general response of approval
throughout her bounds. In the can
vass for Gubernatorial honors, in no
county where delegates were elected to
the State Convention, after our prin-
ciples We're explained and discussed,
save Charleston, and it will yet fall in
to line or its people into a political SER
vitude Of which believe them incapa
ble-in no county, was the present ad-
ministration sustained in its quasi
endorsement Of a separate agricultural
college or its hearty approval of every
liberal appropriation now sanctioned
by law. Here I would say that the
reports and charges against Governor
Richardson did not emanate from your
committee or from those who were its
exponents. I firmly believe they were
scandalously circulated by your op-
ponents aud charged to you for polit-
ical effect. Governor Richardson is an
honorable gentleman, and let the man
be nfanaiG n0tatus who insinuates
otherwise. We never antagonized Gov
ernor Richardson. It was his posi-
ton on certain question in which wo
were concerned. The tricks of the
canvass in nominating delegates in
many counties before the State cam
paign was made, which was a clear
violation of the rule laid down the
mutual support under pressure given
by the State officers; the thorough or
ganization and political experience Of
the ring with whom We had to deal,
added to the anomalous position Of the
candidate we agreed upon, defeated us.
( rs was not possible, as long as we tenn
Z porized with Judge Green and Cham
berIain, nor will we'secure fair con-
sideration until the people, in their
! might and power, arise as with one
effort and relegate to the rear the ring
which dominates the politics of South
Carolina. Without relief is given the
Z people and concessions Of substantial
nature are made, my convictions are,
change as radical as in rs will be made
in 80. Nor will the abuse Of the hero
rillman, partisan newspapers, or FUR
ther mystifcation Of the politics OF the
State stay it. What we want is relief
and recognition. The people are aroused
on these issues, and the Legislature
soon to meet, I believe, will be in ac-
cord with the demands of the day.
Let the question be boldly met and
disposed of, and the Democracy OF the
State allowed to settle down in har-
mony and good feeling. The result OF
the national election makes 1t more I'M
! perative that We stand together as a
unit, with no semblance of dissatisiac-
. ton in our ranks. In almost every
Z county where the issue was mace, ana
on the part of the people without spe-
lcial effort. the friends of the Clemson
College and retrenchment were VIC
torious. 1t is a contest between the
people on the one hand and an lnsatla-
ble ring on the other. Who doubts the
result?
The munifcent beqaest of Mr. Glenn
son no longer admits the plea OF pow
erty on the part of the State tor not
giving US a college. The fund which
will accrue to the State, upon us ac-
n eeptance ofthat bequest, is ample, and
in the opinion of gentlemen learned IN
! the law and who have carefully studied
the import of the words used IN con- I,
veying that bequest, this fund is avail
!. able for the erection of the necessary
buildings. With magnificent sl'e'