The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1897-02-09

y Ing words. The bill finally passed i
this shape:
Section 1. That any person who wa
bona fide soldier or sailor in the ser
of tho Confederate States in the wa
between the States may expose for sal,
or sell, as hawker or peddler, an,
goods, wares or merchandise in an,
county in this State, without taking ou
the license required bychapter XLIII
volume |, Revised Statutes, 1893
of Sooth Carolina; provided, he max,
to the clerk of the court of common
pleas OF the county In which such goods
are to be sold satisfactory proof tina
he was such soldier or sailor.
THE PRIVILEGE TAX.
Mr. Ashley's bill reducing the privi
lege tax on fertilizers from % to cent
per ton was then called up, being 8
special order.
| Mr.. McWhite moved to strike out
the enacting words OF the bill.
Mr.. Blythe was against the bill. He
detailed the many reasons why this
tax should be retained. Clemson only
asked to he allowed to continue to re.
Ceive this tax and wanted no other an.
preparation. The question as to the
amount and disposition Of this tax bad
been settled in 1890. Before Clemson
took charge Of this tax it really amount
ed to nothing. 1t went to support the
farmers college. He quoted the figures
showing large increase. He made
quite an earnest argument. To take
away this tax from Clemson would
throw tho college back into politics.
He doubted il the farmers paid the tax.
When it was put on, it did not increase
the cost per ton of fertilizers. At least
farmers had 80 informed him. They
wore threatend with an Increase OF
taxation now and it would be most un-
wise to pass this bill.
MIR. Ashley supported his measure.
This was tax, he said, on the egri-
cultural classes only. Georgia farm
ers could purchase fertilizers cheaper.
At Clemson it was not alone tho farm
er's son who was educated. The
farmer was the worst imposed upon
and hnrdest worked man on the face
of the globe today. Clemson was not n
did not wish the farmers of Georgia to
have any advantage over the South
Carolina farmers.
MIR. Crum said the object of tho tax
was to protect the people from fraud.
Th bill would not raise enough to
oven pay for the chemicals necessary
| for the analyses. He wanted tho tax
continued.
Mr. Iiderton was in favor of the bill
and against the privilege tax for Glenn
son. He said that the college should
DC maintained out of the general tax
fund
Mr. Mauldin was In favor of the bill.
He did not want Clemson supported by
one class. He did not wish the poor
woman who ran a farm and who was
unable to send her children to school
to pay tax to educate the sons Of men
who were able to send them there. He
had respect for all the State colleges,
but be wanted Especial privileges to
none."
Mr.. Werner wanted to clear up all
doubt as TO who paid this tax. The
farmers paid the tax.
TACT that a largo part Of the fertilizers
was shipped out Of tho State.
Both Messrs. Mauldin and Werner
made excellent speeches.
Mr.'Smith, Of Hampton, made his
maiden effort speaking at length aud
In an earnest manner. He did not
wish them TO forget their promises to
the poor old farmer" He wanted all
taxed alike. He could not bear the
idea OF having promises made TO farm
ere only to be broken. Ho wanted
Give the poor Old farmer chance.
i you keep him in the harness between
the shafts all the time, applying the
lash he will finally have to kick and
he will kick you all out Of the shafts"
Mr.. Goodwin, Of Laurens, felt good
just noI because he was one Of "the
poor old farmers" so much pitied.
This thing was agitated all over the
State and the tax was voted by large
majorities. The farmer paid it every
cent it was true. Mr.. Goodwin spoke
at some length against the bill.
At II O'clock MIR. Ashley's bill to re-
duce the privilege tax was again taken
up, in the hope of a final settlement.
Mr.. Goodwin, Of Laurens, resumed
his argument. and held that to make
u direct appropriation for Clemson
would be to cripple Clemson. To
cripple one OF the higher educational
institutions would be to cripple them
all. There Is no desire to hurt any of
the State institutions. The farmers
would not be helped by the reduction
OF the privilege tax.
Mr.. McWhite, OF Florence, said that
| so far rs he knew there has not peen q
voice raised against the tax, or its
going to Clemson. In fact, it has never
been an issue in his section, and every
puuJ al iiN SouhOy was pTOuu VI
son. He said he was sick and tired of
! hearing about the poor farmers"
The farmers are sick and tired of being
called poor farmers" They are not
asking politicians to appeal for them
on tho ground that they are "poor."
IL Is not a direct tax on the farmers.
From his section boys go to Clemson
and come back u credit to themse YES.
Everyone know how difficult it was to
get an appropriation for State colleges.
He knew that Clemson was the chea :
eat institution In the State the whole
money outlay, with uniform, Is only
$74. Besides, the boys are paid for
labor on the farm and in the shops,
and one boy told him he had $50 to his
credit for work. The dcnonjnational
schools can do nothing like Clemson
and Winthrop. The denominational
schools are literary. The denomina-
tions, especially tho Methodists and
Baptsts, arc now heavily taxed, and
they have no idea of undertaking the
education OF the masses. He said he
was not afraid TO go before his people
In opposition to repeating the privilege
tax. Men came here and professed to
represent the farmers, and really know
nothing about their conditio0. He
said he could not be bulldozed or
scared into keeping his mouth shut on
so important II matter. To pass this
bill is to cripple Clemson and Win
throp, and the effect will be. detrimental
to the whole people.