The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-29
LAWYERS VIEWS.
Gen. y. j. Pope on the Political SITUATION
Why the Farners' Movement WAS
Instituted.
1Charleston World.

LAURENS, May li.-'ol.IHt IiiS iS'I|
March convention, Laurens has been
termed headquarters for Tilmanism;
and if the large majority Of Tilnanites
to be found within the borders of our
county count for anything, she is en-
titled to this honored distinction. But
there are other counties, it seems, vie
ing with this in accepting the. "T:ll-
manian idea, one of the most notice
able being our neighboring sister couR-
ty, Newberry. The daily growing
popularity of Captain Tillman's CAM
paign with the masses of the people
throughout the state is very gratifying
to the people of Laurens County, but
none the less gratifying is the fact that
a considerable number OF the represen-
tative men throughout the State are
heartily in accord with the Tillman
platform, and in sympathy with the
reforms demanded by the people. TAX
ing it for granted that Gen. W. Pope
of Newberry was one Of this class,
knowing him to have been one of the
uncompromising champions Of the
agricultural college bill in the last gen
eral assembly, your correspondent had
quite lengthy interview with him the
other day, and from him were elected
the following answers to questions con-
cerning the present state of political
affairs in South Carolina:
Reporter-Mr. Pope, have you any
objection to give to me for publication
your views upon the political issues
now being discussed in the State:
Mr.. Pope-I esteem it the duty Of a
man in public life to make known his
views whenever request is made for
them, and as l am member Of the
senate of this State feel quite willing
to state my views upon such public
questions as may be under discussion.
Reporter-What, in your judgment,
is the cause of the agitation now in the
minds of the people Of this State:
Mr.. Pope-Right there put. full
stop. The agitation in question is not
confined to the people of South Caro-
lima. 1t arose as cloud no bigger than
your hand in the far West. 1t has in
creased with wonderful speed, until
now it is a veritable political tornado,
and embraces in its sweep all the West
err States and all the States of the
South. To my mind the cause Of all
this seems to revolve about the depres-
sion in agriculture. 1t is hard for the
tillers of the soil to understand why all
other avocations prosper except their
own. They see new railroads built and
equipped, manufactures springing up
on all side, banks organized in every
town almost, commerce in its different
ramifcations prospering; and yet agri-
culture is depressed. 1t is idle to mere
ly sympathize with people in want or
distress. They wish something practi-
cal for their relief, and as no other class
of our citizens make any such practical
propositions for their success, they are
resolved to help themselves.
Reporter-But what plans do they
prospose in this State for their relief?
Mr.. Pope-I am not able to speak Of
the work of that wonderful organiza-
ton known as the Farmers Alliance
because, being lawyer, I am not able
to enter into its councils. But the fruits
of this organization are patent to the
eve. Prices are reduced to an extent
that is almost incredible to the unini-
tiated. Respect for law and order is
insisted upon, and by reason of discus
sion and general reading, the intelli
gence of its membership is wonderfully
improved.
Reporter-Mr. Pope, what you state,
so far, is too general; give me, if you
can, what, in your opinion, you under
stand to be the purposes Of the Tillnlan
campaign
Mr.. Pope-You have anticipated ne
somewhat, for I was steadily moving
to that point, merely wishing in the
first instance to refer to some matters
very nearly connected with that move
ment. Well, sir, regard the opening
of this campaign to have occurred in
the spring of 1886, when the first con-
veution of the Farmers movement
was held. It. was large, influential,
conservative, determined body of men
patriots in every sense-white men
and Democrats. They demanded the
establishment of an agricultural col
lege. They demanded reform in the
expenditures of money by the State.
They demanded that the constitution
fixing the membership Of the House of
Representatives IN this State should he
complied with. Now, / know that
many persons think that when the leg
islature last winter provided some
means for the Clemson Agricultural
and Mechanical College, that this de-
nland of the farmers and mechanics of
this State was fully answered, but those
persons who have this matter deeply at
heart, believe no such thing, and I am
one of them. Now let me quietly tell
you why. You remember that the lead
ers in the Farmers movement stated
in their speeches that this new college
could be successfully operated without
an increase Of the taxes. They did do
so. And this assertion was based upon
the assumption that the duties Of the
Board Of Agriculture would be devolved
upon this college and the income Of the
Board Of Agriculture from the privi-
lege tax would also be given to that
college. This year the revenues from
t1,t Sor,roo 4 npp t,(,J