The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-04-26

privilege tax on fertilizers amounts to
over $50, 900 yearly. The work done by
it can and ought TO be done by the Ag-
ricultural College. Here then is S75, 900
to build and equip the college, without
either touching Mr.. Clemson's money
or resorting to new taxation. If then
we leave the University the $34, 800 now
and the tuition fees, and
relieve it Of the expense of trying to
educate farmers and mechanics III an
atmosphere, it can accom-
plish its needed work in u more efficient
manner, and be better for getting rid Of
these bones of contentious; while after
the Clemson college is built, it would
have the following income without
looking to the taxpayers at all-it and
the experimental stations:
Land scrip 0,IO
Privilege tax
Total. 'o
With this sum we can keep up an eN-
cellent agricultural school at Fort Hill,
worthy Of South Carolina, worthy of
Calhoun, and last, but not least, wor-
thy of Mr.. Clemson.
But there are other reforms and
economies imperatively demanded be-
fore we can lift the burden Of taxation
to any marked degree. We have too
much and too hasty legislation, and we
believe it would be economy and Wis
dom to have the Legislature meet bien-
nially instead of annually as at present,
and to change the date Of its session.
That the burdens of taxation are not
equally borne is too evident, and those
taxpayers who are honest in their re-
turns are grievously imposed OH. .
Gov. Hagood long since pointed out
that our county governments are both
inefficient and eXtravagant; nearly as
much being spent on them now as in
Radical days. We are handicapped and
cut off from any improvement along
that line by our Radical Constitution,
while our very existence as free pe0-
pie is jeopardized by the ignorant horde
Of voters watching and praying for a
split in our ranks. We earnestly urge
the Importance and necessity of a con-
stitutional convention to secure needed
economy in county affairs, the abolition
of useless offices, and to throw stronger
safeguards around the citadel of white
supremacy, before the seeds OF discord
shall sprout and grow.
TO accomplish all this our people
must arouse themselves from their leth-
argy, and take q more intelligent and
active interest in political affairs. And
here we would warn them to see TO it
that set of greedy politicians and
office-seekers shall not again, as in past
years, nominate State ticket out-of-
hand, without having canvass or even
an expression of sentiment on these
and other important issues. Public dis
cussion is not only the best means OF
educating the masses, but is also the
chief safeguard of our liberties and the
only guarantee Of our rights. In be
half, then, of the farmers whom we
| represent, and as one of the best means
of bringing about these reforms, we i'll
sist on canvass by those who aspire to
control the State government during
the next two years, before they are
nominated, SO we can know just how
they stand. Recognizing the ability OF
the present incumbents, and in no wise
! intending to cast any reflections upon
them, we vet feel that if they seek re
nomination they could spend some o'
their leisure during the summer most
prcftably in discussing before theil
constituents these and any other ques
tions of public interest. Thus they car
show wherein we are wrong if they dis
agreetwith US, or give US the advantage
uf their approval if they approve? Sex
| to it then, fellow-citiZens, those Of yor
who sym npathize with our objects ano
aims, that no tricks be played upon u:
| in the May convention.
| Farmers are too busy to give much
thought to their public duties. Bu
they can and should at least demand
and thus they will obtain, the right t.
! select their officials knowingly, az.
both Of establishing the Agriculture
College and Of making the much
needed reforms and economies in tht
State Government rests with the com
Ing Legislature. Our experience with
the one just adjourned teaches US to be
ware of demagogues and fence-strad
oilers and weakened individuals with
out trmness of character or any con
vlctlons of their own. We would there.
fore advise and urge the absolute i'm.
portance of selecting candidates OF
firmness and capacity, and of requiring
| them to define and explain their posi-.
tions. If a candidate is too good or too
unfiXed to pledge himself to any line OF
policy demanded by the people, he can
and should be left at home; and when
candidate, after having pledged him
self and been elected breaks that pledge,
as did a goodly number in the last Leg
lslature, he is no longer worthy of the
confidence and respect of any intelli-
gent. voter.
Appealing, then, to the good sense
and patriotism, not of farmers alone,
but of all classes Of our people, to aid us
IN our efforts tosel ure equal justice and
equal advantages to all, and to purify
and elevate our politics and to bring
about more economical and efficient
government in State and County, .
We are respectfully,
d. K. NORRIS,
3. r. TILLMAN.