The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-02-26
Oakland Letter.
Special to The Manning Times.

The crop year of 1902 has begun most
unpropitiously for the people OF this
section. With few renters, very little
supplies, weakness On the part of lien
merchants, scarcity OF labor and lack of
needed protection from the law, follow
inc the low prices commanded by farm
produce last fall, the farmers have OBJ
stacles to face never before known
hereabouts.
This is strictly an agricultural sec
ton, wholly dependent upon the pro-
ducts of farming for maintenance: and
taking into consideration existing con-
ditions, the "hard times" are particu-
larly hard upon US. Usually the land
owner can hypothecate his rent liens
and thereby obtain money with which
to tide over the first three or four
months in the beginning OF the year:
this year the acreage rented is at least
TO per cent off from the average. Farm
supplies. such as corn. oats, forage,
homemade meat. syrup, etc., are ABOUT
exhausted. Very poor crops that go to
make these supplies were made last
year, aud on account of the scarcity OF
grain very little meat was cured IN this
community.
The negroes have absolutely nothing.
They are dependent upon a hand-to-
mouth method of living by working
about two days in the week for the
white people land no longer because
the latter have not the provisions for
them. though there is plenty of work
to dol. The lien merchants are either
in Door circumstances or are afraid to
make necessary advances that farm
work can move on. They report poor
collections and because of this they are
in no position to aid those to whom they
usually cater for their business.
Notwithstanding the condition OF Ia
borers, yet there is great scarcity OF
competent farm labor. The best plow-
men and all-around good farm negroes
have moved out of the country or are
working at mills, and the only labor
left is the w.priced shiftless class
that is more of a menace to productive
work than their labor is worth. Yet
because this is the only plow hire posi-
ble. it commands the usual wages of the
best men. There is as much difference
between the two classes OF labor as
there is between $50 mule and SO
OK.
1t is in order here TO mention condi-
tions of no little Importance relative to
the lack OF needed protection from the
! law against the encroachmeuts OF the
criminal class. This part of the county
is infested by class OF criminals that
gives no little trouble. Theft. va
grancy, removal of property under
mortgage, assault, adulterous living,
etc.. are common in violation of the
peace and dignity of the law and de-
cency of people that are good citizens.
| A home cannot be left unprotected for
only few hours but that some THEFT IS
not committed. The wonder is that
| graver offences are not attempted. The
criminal class has no respect for the
| law because one of their number IS
never apprehended. Warrant after
warrant is issued. but no arrests follow.
We are in very helpless condition.
Labor that is hired BY contract can vio-
late agreement, yet no incarceration is
attempted. This element is impudent
and insolent in the extreme, and 1t Is
common dread among the better class
of people that bloodshed and lynching
may vet result. We pay our proper
tion Of taxation, yet we feel abandoned
and outlawed. We appeal for protec-
tion, but get no redress. If it ever be
necessary for the good people to take
the law in their own hands the criti-
cisln of the entire State will be turned
against US as being anything but law
abiding. On the other hand, despite
unfavorable circumstances, the better
class Of citizens has gone to work in
earnest.
The fine. clearing weather has af-
forded the farmers an opportunity TO
piow, and on many farms appearances
Show a desperation to say the least, if
not a species of pioneer courage to
bring things right.
The severe weather killed many
acres of oats and late oats were planted
to make up the loss.
Mrs. Eliza Tindal, who has been very
i'll with pneumonia, is convalescent.
Mr.. Burleigh Yates of the Brogdon
community died on Sunday morning,
10Th inst, after protracted illness.
Oakland, Feb. Is, 1902.