The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-29

pended, and your answer was worse
than simple evasion of the question.
You have assumed that all fertilizers
found deficient are fraudulent, and that
in all such cases the farmers are
swindled. The agricultural value OF
many brands Of this character is not
affected by the slight deficiencies de-
tected, but all are published because
consumers have a right to know the
exact results obtained. It is often the
case that the commercial value of such
fertilizers exceeds the guarantee. But,
there being difference between COM
mercial and agricultural values, We re-
gard and treat any plant-food as "def-
Gent" You, ignorantly or malicious
ly, take extracts from. table COM
piled in this way to show that all "de-
ticient'' fertilizers are fraudulent.
The imperfections in the fertilizer
laws have been admitted and pointed
out and efforts made to correct them,
but, until that is done, the Department
Of Agriculture can only execute such
laws as exist.
At the risk of again being charged
with collision with the manufacturers,
I will say, that in NY opinion, based
upon official experience for the last ten
years, the manufacturer who deliberate
ly and Intentionally attempts to
defraud the farmer is the exception,
and further, I believe that in every
case where this has been attempted, it
has failed of success because of the De-
partment's. supervision. If you know
anything to the contrary you should
state it.
I therefore challenge you to point to
one instance where the farmers have
been defrauded by the manufacturers of
fertilizers, where such fraud was not
punished with all power that the De-
partment had at its command, and de-
mand that you make good your charge
or retract it. A. P. BUTLER,
Commissioner of Agriculture.
MR.. TILLMAN ASKED TO ANSWER.
To the Editor of the News and Cour-
ier: have just been shown by friend
Commissioner Buffers open letter to
Capt. B. r. Tillman, published in the
News and Courier in reply to charges
made by him in his Anderson speech.
| am free to confess that have been
warm supporter and an ardent admirer
of Capt. Tillman, because 1 have be-
lieVed him to be a sincere and true
friend of the farmer, and that when he
uttered the charges Of ''rottenness, cor
ruption," etc., ETC., against the State
officers that he had indubitable proof,
however much we might regret it, and
that they would be sustained. But
since reading Commissioner Buffers
calm and dignified reply, and which
seems to me so truthful, that am con-
vinced that Capt. 1illnlan must bring
forth positive proof to sustain the
charges made not only against the
other State officers, or he will and
must go to the wall.
Mere accusations will not do, if the
charges are not sustained by positive
and undeniable proof. 1 don't believe
that the honorable people of South
Carolina will elevate by their votes any
man to rule over them who will delib-
erately make false charges to the injury
of the gentlemen who have been placed
in the highest Offices within the gift of
the people-men who have served their
country so we'll, both in peace and war.
The true men of South Carolina will
not permit any man to 60 into the
high and distinguished office of Cover
nor over the bodies of men who have
been attempted to be dragged down by
false and unsustained charges Capt.
Tillman must reply to Commissioner
Buffers letter of denial with proof, or
he will and must go down to posterity
"unwept, unhonored and unsung." He
cannot, he dare not try to escape by
remaining silent, and if he fails be-
lieve every true son Of this State will
use every honorable effort to defeat
him, and will defeat him.
w. w. WILSON.