The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-08-14
CAMPAIGN DAY At PROSPERITY.

I.''rstone and Ecnrt Speak Other Can
1ihat"S-Thc Largest 7ic"tin. "r :i'"
Campaign -t;nod I:,rb'cur
Dinner.
The county campaign meeting ut
Prosperity on last Friday Was the
largest yet held and little more inter
est and enthusiasm was manifest than
ut amy, vet when the comfy pro-
yramnle WAS Reached the interest ~unle-
what Jagged.
The County Sunday-school conven-
ton being in session ut Prosperity ut
the same time, kept 4 good many away
from the political meeting who proba-
bly, would have attended.
The barbecue dinner furnished by
Mr.. W. J. Mills was an excellent one
and much enjoyed.
The meeting WAS held at Ioung's
Grove about one and L half miles from
the town. y nice and spacious stand
had been arranged for the speakers,
covered with pla:k to keep off the sun
or rain.
County Chairman w. d. Hardy pre-
sided and introduced the speakers. 1t
was q county meeting, but MessrS.
Geo. Johnstone and W. &. Bcnet, CALI
didates for Congress being present and
desiring to address the voters, We're ac-
corded the privilege.
We had intended to give Il short
synopsis ofthe speeches Of all the speak
1,rt -h,> Il
tend these meetings could understand
the positions of those who sought their
sutlrages on the issues of the day, but
the speaking began in the afternoon
before we got there and we were un-
able to take notes Of the first speaker
and consequently did not take any ut
ali.
AS we understand it they all endorse
the principles adopted and contained
in the platform OF the March COuven-
ton and the Farmers movement. and
the only thing necessary for the voter
to do is to select the best and most conl-
petent men for the position.
We desire, however, to give L brief
synopsis Of the speeches Of Messrs.
Johnstone and Benct as they discussed
issues and questions upon which the
voter desires to be informed.
The Farmers Alliance at 4 convcn-
ton held some time ago prOpoNndcd
set Of eight questions for the candidates
for Congress to discuss and answer.
Those questions were published III The
Herald and News at the time men-
toned.
The only two touched upon by the
speakers on Friday We're, Government
control of the railroads and the sub
treasury scheme. Mr.. Benet being Il
stranger and visitor, Mr.. Johnstone ac-
corded him the privilege 10 choose
whether he would speak first or last.
At his request Mr.. Johnstone spoke
first.
COL GEO. JOHNSTONE'S SPEECH.
He said he was no stranger to the
people of Newberry and that they were
no strangers TO him. That now they
had assembled to discuss and consider
together the issues Of the day and to
determine what was best for all the
people. Our government is an eHten-
siye one, and when we consider our
interest we must do it in connection
with the interests Of sixty-five millions
of people. Tie people complain that
something is wrong and think it can be
rectitied by the government. When
the people complain they are right.
There would not be this great uprising
Of the people if there was not SOME
thing wrong. The question for us to
consider is, what is wrong, and to de-
wise means TO rectify it. Mr.. John
stone said that all the property he
owned was wrapped up i'll farming
operations except what was in his law
library. The great industry Of the Third
District was agriculture. The repre-
sentative in Congress must be in SYM
pathy with the farmer if he properly
represent his district and expected to
obtain and retain his seat. He said
there were two causes Of complaint:
Land has been made noncOmmerciali in
value. No national bank will take
land as security for money. The law
upon which they are established does
not permit them to take mortgage of
real estate. This is against the agricul-
tural interests. Land is the source Of
all wealth, then why should it be put
under the ban? Then the great money
power of the North has seized hold of
the government and the Legislation Of
the country for the past twenty-five
years. which has been against the
agricultural masses. AS result there
has been a contraction of the currency.
Lands have gone down in value and
money has gone up. These men have
gone to Washington and demanded a
contraction of the currency; they con-
troll the bonds; then they come home
and demand big interest for the money.
This is the cause of the the trouble. TO
what extent have they contracted the
currency? But they say each man can
get his part. True, but if there is not
enough grease to properly lubricate the
the axle there will be undue friction
somewhere if it IS spread out too thin.
The products of the country amount to
about seven billions of dollars and there
is one billion of currency with which
to handle it. You can see at once that
this is not sufficient. If we had more
money everything would be bounding
forward-prices would be good and all
business would prosper.
Agriculture is the basal industry of
the country, and when it prospers
every other business prospers. If this
depression and contraction goes on
three years longer the farmers will
have all the professional men joining
the movement and demanding that
something be done in the way OF legis-
lati0n to make 4 change. AS to these
demands of the farmers being class leg
islation, he said, Yes, it was class, but
why: Simply because every single
particle of the legislation since the war
has been class Legislation and in the
interest Of the money power. Iou are
simply compelled to organize to meet
thi, class legislation.
AS to the government taking control
of the railroads Of the country, he was
opposed to that. 1t would not help
the Southern farmer. Suppose the
government; had charge of the rail-
roads, the North and Northwest would
fill up with railroads and we would get
none here. If the government had
had control OF theaa!lr0ads Prosperity
Dnvar world h1Ep rnttrp q Spcbp1 road