The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-08-27
GEN. BUTLER IS OPTIMISTIC.
Old Soldier Talks of Fine tCrops and
Labor Conditions.-Approves
Judge Brawley's Decision.
News and Courier.


Columbia, August 22.--Gen. NJ. C.
Butler for forty years has known as
much about South Carolina as any
other man who has lived in this state
during that time. Gen. Butler has
been in the city this week with his
old comrades, and while in converse
tion with this correspondent the 9TH
er day he declared that the crops on
his plantation in Edgefield are the
finest this year that he has seen since
the war.
Gen. Butler does not take much
stock in much of the talk about labor
conditions. Hc was emphatic in say
ing that he thought the decision of
Judge Brawlcy upsetting the farm
labor contract law is just and proper.
He thinks that crcG Glit will always
have to be extended to the negroes,
because they are essentially shiftless.
but does not think there should be
any trouble managing them.
"What about the negroes who
won't keep their obligations, Gener-
al7' was asked.
"Wcil, I don't know, because I
have never had any of that kind on
my place"
"Ym know, lots Of these fellows
who get up and dcnounce the negro
would trv to put me or you in jail or
hang us, if we were to go to their
farm and try to get !hc negro to leave
;he state Wh!, if there should be an
exodus of The negroes :hese same fcl-
lows would start civil war. They
talk abo::t race war, but there is no
more danger of any such thing than
there Is of a war between me and
you,' said the General.
"There won't be any fight between
us, General, if | can get out of the
way,' said the newspaper man.
"And I am old and lame and can It
fight now," replied the General.
Commenting on political conditions
Gen. Butler said he was glad to know
that South Carolina in her legislation
concerning railroads and other cor
porations had been the most conscr-
vativc of all the states, and had not
gone crazy like some Of the others.
'lf we could get rid Of the dema-
goguc this country would be all
rlght,' he continued. "Why a fellow
Will gel up and make a speech, in
which he portrays the marvellous
prosperity and progress of the coun-
try, and then in little while he will
dcnouncc the corporations for their
terrible oppression Of the people.
can't figure ont how he stands for
both propositions. -
There are different views on the
labor problems, but all views this
year seem to be the same on the crops
IN South Carolina. Mr.. J. Bolton
Watson, one Of the largest farmers
OF Anderson county, has been in Co.
umbia for several days this week,
preparatory to trip in the interests
OF the Farmers union, in which he
is leading member and officer.
"CrorS are fnc," said Mr. Watson.
IN response to Il question. eyes. sir,
IN our county. the OK and the ass
Will know where their masters crib
Is this year. sure. T have never seen
the cotton in better condition and
there is plenty Of corn."
Mr.. Watson Went Oh 10 say that
the labor conditions were the only
drawback to the prosperity of the
farmers. lie stated that the negroes
everywhere had heard Of Judge
Rrawley'S decision, and it had had its
erect in making them restless and
some of them had jumped their con-
tracts, no longer being in fear of i'm
prisonmcnt.
'rhe thing to 40 is to repeal the
hen law. and any man who will ac-
complish that will serve his state
most Si9nally,' declared Mr. Watson.
Ihe Farmers. union has already pass
ed resolution urging the legislature
to take this action, and q committee
has hctn appointed. termed the ,e.is-
latlVe committee, which will c)ma to
the legislature next winter anil URGE
tins a'.:,on on the members. slmr
with the advocacy of other lcei stati N