The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-04-03
THE FARMERS CONVENTION.

accomplished the "oTh 1oA "HANH -
was called and adjourned. Whether
the methods used in the accomplish
ment of this purpose We're right ana
proper, and whether when accom-
p!ished, the action was wise, there IS
diversity Of opinion. One of the objects
of the Convention was to make nolnl-
nations. Nominations for Governor
and Lieutenant-Gover were !nade.
The call for the Convention was mace
to those who were in sympathy wltn
the Farmers Movement as eXpounoeo
in the call of Capt. Shell, of Laurens.
In a majority of the counties in whlcn
conventions were held for the purpose
of electing delegates to tnis State Con-
vention, the farmers were opposed TO
the Convention making nominations.
1t seems that in the State Convention
when the vote was first taken on max
ing nominations, that majority of the
delegates were opposed to nominations,
even including Mr.. Farley, a citizen of
Laurens, as part of the Spartanburg
delegation, the vote being ll6 for
nominations and III against, but by
sharp tactics several votes were an-
nouuceG as changed and the result was
declared in favor of nominations. Then
four Of the Pickens delegates voted for
nominations when their County Con-
vention had instructed them against
such action.
Then there were several counties III
the State that were not represented in
this Convention at all.
We do not believe that a majority of
the farmers Of this State favored noml-
nations by this Convention.
But the nominations for Governor
aud Lieutenant-Governor have been
made, and platform adopted, and the
question now arises will the farmers
endorse the action, and support the
nominees in the regular State Demo
cratic Convention. If they do, there
can be no doubt that they will be the
nominees Of the regular Democratic
State Convention.
The platform adopted by the Con-
vention is moderate and rather con-
servative document. We have never
thought there was any special necessity
for a constitutional convention, but if
the people want it, and are willing to
20 to the expense, we have no objec-
ton.
The aeitators Of this movement have
been abusing ring rule and "cut and
dried" conventions, and caucus nomi-
nations. The proceedings of this Con-
vention impress US very much as if
everything was "cut and dried" for the
purpose. Mr.. Tillman says he wrote
the platform and brought it to the Con-
vention in his pocket, and it was re-
ported to the Convention even before
committee on platform was appointed.
Everything was rushed through to
carry out the purposes for which the
Convention was called.
But the Convention is pledged to
abide the result OF the action Of the
regular Democratic State Convention.
AS to the nominees we have very
little to say. We are frank to admit
that Mr.. Tillman is not ourschoice for
Governor. Mr. Colt has not signiied
whether he would accept the nomina-
ton rendered him or not. Many peo-
pie are disappointed in Mr.. Tillman.
He has time and again, when charged
with having in view the Governorship
in his agitation said that he did not
want any office, that he was working
solely for the good of his brethren, the
farmers; but now that he enters the race
for Governor many Of his friends are
sadly disappointed. He has right to
run for this office, as any other man
has. It is a laudable ambition in any
man. But Mr.. Tillman has so often
disclaimed any purpose of wanting
office that his friends are disappointed.
We have only this to say, we did not
believe that the farmers Of the State
were in favor of making nominations
at the March Convention, and we do
not believe that majority of them ap-
prove such action now, but they are
made. We did not believe that such
action would be wise, and the work of
the Convention has not changed our
opinion. Rut if the regular Democratic
Convention approves the action Of the
March Convention, and puts forward
Mr.. Tillman as the nominee for Cover
nor, we shall support him, although he
is not our choice. We have great con-
fdence in the patriotism and good
common sense Of cur people, and we
believe that if the people, when they
come to consider the situation seriously,
believe it best to sustain the action Of
the March Convention, they will do it,
and if IL is thought best not to do it,
they will as readily repudiate it. If
they do Mr.. Tillmau and his followers |
must make up their minds to bow
gracefully to the action of the people in |
their regular Convention assembled. |
It is long time yet before the time |
for the meeting Of the regular State |
Denocr ii. Convention. There will |
be p'enry of line to consider the action |
Of the March Convention, and to dis
cuSs the situation. We trust the dis |
russinns viii lie free from personal |
abuse and ridicuie. No good can come
from abusing nltn. Let us deal with |
facts.
The c0nGur; of the students of the |
[ nix, rsiiy in their treatment Of Mr..