The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-29
ESTABLISHED 1865

State. Yes, it is quite true; but 1t does
not arise from taxation direct, and being
paid by the farmers themselves, who
could have in equity such claim upon
us as they do?
Reporter-But, Mr.. Pope, / do not
yet see where the trouble arises in re-
gard to the support of the college.
Mr.. Pope-No! and your position is
just that Of many others. You are too
anxious to reach results without being
willing to listen patiently to those who
are supposed to be sincere in the eX-
preston of their views on this subject.
Now, as soon as the question in the
legislature was taking practical shape
in this direction, it was ascertained
that the friends of the board of agricul-
ture would refuse any and all overtures
to dismantle it and transfer its duties
upon our new college. Besides this,
with an adroitness and persistency that
could not escape attention, the oppo-
nents Of the new college were most
careful and potential to prevent any
appropriation of the privilege tax, tag
tax, to extend beyond this year.
In my judgment the farmers and
mechanics Of this State demand the
complete establishment of the Agricul-
tural and Mechanical college, and will
be satisfied with nothing short of this.
Suppose either branch of the general
assembly should refuse to do this, or
suppose both branches Of the general
! assembly should consent to this and
the governor of the State should veto
| the bill. What would be the effect?
Once stop the wheels of this new COL
lege, disperse its students and profess
sors, and what would be its effect? The
| farmers and mechanics wish no "ifS"
| about their college. Besides all this,
there were five senators upon the floor
| of the senate last year who denied that
the farmers wished this college. This
campaign is designed to settle that
question. If the people do not wish
this college then let it be abandoned;
but no way exists to settle this matter
under our constitution and laws save
the election of persons pledged to its
support. This is what makes the peo-
| pie restive. This is what makes them
assume the offensive in this combat of
ideas, of principles and of policies.
They are alive to to their Importance.
They demand, therefore, that they
shall have a candidate for governor
and members of the general assembly
who will be pledged to the protection
of their interests.
Reporter-Now, Mr.. Pope, you have
reached a point that will justify me, l
trust, in asking you what you think of
the March convention, its platform,
| and its candidate?
Mr.. Pope-First, as to the March
! conventions; some good men complain
Of its date. Why just reflect moment,
andyou will see that many persons who
would have preferred a candidate other
than Governor Richardson in 1888,
stated frankly that as Mr.. Richardson
made the campaign as required by the
| constitution Of the Democratic party of
the State, he alone should in common
| fairness stand as the candidate before
the September convention, and the
members of the Farmers movement
| were twitted with this when they
sought to prefer Gen. Earle as their
candidate. Now, the farmers and me
chanics have determined that this year
they will be Oh the ground early and
stay all the summer and fall-aye-
even in mid-winter. l hold that any
section or wing of the Democratic par
l'ty in this State has the right to select
a candidate for the office Of governor;
provided, always, that they submit
their candidate to the State convention
fairly and squarely when that conven-
ton meets, and faithfully abide by the
result of that body. What possible
harm to the party can arise by discus
sion Of public questions before the peo-
pie; provided courtesy obtains tetween
man and man; provided an honest
pledge is made to abide by the result of
the canvass Of the State which controls
in the selection of our candidate or an
other. But our people ought always to
remember that we are one family, and
the fullest consideration should be ac-
corded to every one, whether in office
or out Of office; that on no account
| ought we as a people to countenance
the stiletto of the assassin. AS brave
men, if changes are to be made, let
them be made publicly. We should
not, on the other hand be too thin
skinned. If the success Of any depart
ment Of the State government is chal-
lenged, it is not reflection per Sc upon
the integrity of the temporary occu-
pant Of such department. We ought
to recall the stormy days in the history
of this republic when Adams and
Hamilton were on one side, and Jeffer-
son and Madison were on the other.
We should never forget that the offices
belong to the people, and the officers
occupying them are our hired servants,
under contract, and that as soon as
that contract expires, it rests with the
people whether such servants shall be
hired again.
Second. AS to the platform of the
March convention, it is fully before the
people and believe meets with general
approval. There is certainly nothing
there written that justifes moments
anxiety as to what its trainers and sup