The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-29
For the Herald and News.
LETTER FROM HON. j. 4. SLIGH.
Not Yet Decided-The Agricultural College
and the Farmers.

| Not Yet Decided-The Agricultural College
and the Farmers.
Please allow me space in the columns
of The Herald and News to say 10 those
who have solicited me through the
county papers, by letter and otherwise,
to become a candidate for reelection to
the State Senate, that | will in Il few
weeks decide this question and will then
publish my decision in the county pa
pers. | say in I few weeks; for we are
still in the month of March and it Is to
be presumed that Il majority Of the peo-
pie do not desire primary election
| before the last of July or sometime in
August. a crop on which depends ina
large measure the future prosperity and
success of the people of the entire coun-
ty is to be planted and mainly cultivat-
ed before that time. For the next four
months very much depends upon
the constant labor, diligence and
| watchfulness OF the tanners of the
| county. If they fail, all others sui
fer with them. Why, then, should
| be in such Il great hurry to decide
question of this kind when that
decision cannot possibly at the present
be of any great benefit to the busy and
industrious people of this county? l am
fully aware that this is a question Of no
little importance to the people, but l
am also satisfied that they have ample
time in which to decide it wisely.
Also please allow me to say to the
peopleof the county that there has been
no agreement between me and any
party or parties as to who should OF
should not be candidates for the posi-
ton which I have now have the honor
of filling. The office is rot mine to be
given by me to any one. Neither have
! | agreed with any one to be ornot to he
a candidate for it.
hope to be able in your next to give
some reasons why there should be
established by the State an Agricultural
College separate and distinct from any
other institution. On this important
and might say vital, question to the
people of the State I have decided opln-
ions and convictions. Especially is this
I true since the action of tine last session
of the Legislature. 1t is to be hoped
that the people of our county and OF the
entire State who do not sayor the estab'
lishment of such an institution will be
able in the near future tolay aside theiI
I preiudices and any marrow and selfish
views they may have on this question
and be brought to acknowledge and
realize this one fact-that whatever III
the State of South Carolina benefitsand
improves the condition Of the farmers
of the State is also blessing and bene'
| fit to all her citizens, and that the mel
who defend our homes and liberties IL
times of war; that bring prosperity tt
our country in times of peace; that dc
the voting and carry on elections ano
support with their money our govern
ment, are entitled at least to a respectful
and attentive hearing Oh this or any
other subject in which they feel an in
terest; and that it is not right to give
them the treatment they received from
the last Legislature; VIA refusal t.
postpone the consideration of the entire
matter looking to the establishment o
an Agricultural College and thereby
denying to the people the right to SETTLE
this question for themselves. Th'
farmers have asked for '6red1' ant
they have received "stoae," the.
have asked for fish and they have re
ceived "serpent."
The farmers Of this State arc a conser
vative class and they make as goo(
citizens as any people in the world. The.
recognize that all classes Of citizens have
their rights and it is not their desire t.
to deprive any of such rights. II
proper test was made, one based upol
Justice and fairness to all alike, the.
would say to Charleston and Columbia
and to ali the citizens of the Stat
whose sympathies are with tn
the Citadel and South Carolina College
"here is our pro-rata share to supper
YOUR institutions; but while we cheer
fully give it we ask you to treat us witt
the same degree of kindness and to re
turn to us the same measure OF justice
You consider such institutions impor
tant to the State for the proper train
ing and education of your sons and vii
patroniZe no other. We believe an -As
ricultural College is absolutely neccssa
~ to bring about that prosperity, elev;l
ton and increased education anon!
the farmers ofthe State that is so de
sirable, and to give us that power an1
influence in the civil walks of life ant
among the law makers Of the State an
nation to which our numbers and take
justly entitle us.
It is on this line that I propose t
continue the discussion ofthis question
Respectfully,
March 18th, 1883. }. \. SLIGI.
A Skillful Confederate Surgeon.