The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-12-10
Seeking Financial Belief.

GREENv1LLE, s. c., December 5.-A
mass meeting held in the Court House
to-day to discuss measures for financial
relief was poorly attended, the largest
number of persons present at one time
not being over forty. The small attend
ance might be attributed in part to q
conflict in dates and in regard to the time
for holding the meeting. The following
resolutions were offered, but, on motion,
committee of three was appointed to
prepare material for an adjourned meet
ing to be hello next Saturday. The reso-
lutions will be discussed then. They are
considered impraoticable and unconstitu-
tional, but it is The general opinion Of
everybody that something must be
done:
ssWe, the citizens of Greenville County,
s. c., in convention assembled, know
that the products OF agriculture, lat mar
ket prices,) are Inadequate to balance
against the cost Of production, and as a
result, laborers cannot secure supplies en-
liens to make another crop and must suf-
fer. All trades, pursuits and occupations
dependent upon agriculture, directly or
indirectly, are either conducted at loss,
or are oppressive to our farmers. Cotton
is our money crop and it 1.-The price paid
for it which epables us to conduct our
business, and meet cash obligations.
l.1stWe know that our home manufactur-
ers, and all the population outside the
cotton States, acting on business princi-
pies, procure our cotton at the lowest
possible prices. We know that we do,
and must submit to and take in payment
for our cotton such prices as are offered
BY nations and parties whose interests are
adverse to ours, and will continue to do
so until we protect ourselves. Indiyld-
uals, cannot, or have not, placed them
selves in a position to do so, nor can this
he done unless Ly agreement and consent.
Therefore, be it
"Resolved, That we, the cotton produc-
ers and other citizens of Greenyllle
County, do agree to, and will assign all
cotton to be made in Gresnville County
in 1892 to the County Commissioners. Or
certain officers to be elected by the voters
of Greenyille County, and will deliver the
same at such place in the County as ap-
pointed provided the said Commission
ers, or officers, pay for the same in cash
or County bonds, at II cents per pound
for middling, and less or more for other
cotton by class or grade-l cent per pound
to be reserved for expenses, etc. Provi-
ded, also, we shall not be bound by this
resolution unless it or similar one be
passed by two thirds Of the Counties of
the cotton States"
Hon. w. L. Mauldin also introduced
the following resolution, which was
unanimously adopted:
s'After the close of the war between the
States, and during the period of recon-
struction, the Federal government i'm
posed and collected special tax upon
Sc n
measure, and is believed to have been
contrary to the provisions of the Consti-
tuition. At any rate, we hold that taxes
levied upon products of the soil are not
only unwise and unjust, but contrary to
the spirit and purpose of our government.
HNow, whereas, about sixty million
dollars we're collected in this way and
carried into the treasury Of the United
States, and we are now informed, have
never been specifically approved, there
fore be it
"Resolved, That it is the sense of this
meeting that it Is a matter Of justice and
right that this money should be restored
to the States from which it was collected /;
that in view Of the financial distress now
prevailing in the South, we would urge
upon Congress speedy consideration and
action upon this matter.
"Resolved, That we wouli look with
pleasure upon a general movement
throughout the entire country to further
the ends in view. Especially would we
value the assistance Of our brothers in
the North and West who are engaged in
agricultural pursuits. We appeal to the
people in order that justice, though tar
dy, may prevail"
Dr. Mauldin said that S5,O00,0O0 had
been collected from this State, The mon
ey could be restored to the State govern
ment and disbursed to the people for their
relief in some way. 1t was just claim,
md he saw no reason why Republicans
or Democrats should oppose it.-Dispatch
to Columbia State.