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

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
ton with this correspondent the 9th
er day he declared that the crops on
his plantation in Edgefeld 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. He was emphatic in say
ing that he thought the decision OF
Judge Brawley upsetting the farm
labor contract law is just and proper.
he thinks that credit 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.
"Weil, I don't know, because I
have never had any Of that kind on
my place."
"Ycu know, lots Of these fellows
who get up and denounce the negro
would try to put me or you in jail or
hang US, if we were to 60 to their
farm and try to get the negro to leave
The state Why, if there should be an
exodus Of the negroes :hese same fel-
lows would start a 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 I can get out Of the
way,'' said the newspaper man.
"And I am old and lame and can't
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 conser-
vative Of all the states, and had not
gone crazy like some Of the others.
eff we could get rid of the dema-
gogue this country would be all
right" he continued. ''Why fellow
will get up and make a speech, in
which he portrays the marvellous
prosperity and progress Of the coun-
try, and then in a little while he Will
denounce the corporations for their
terrible oppression of the people. I
can't figure out 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.
lumbia fot several days this week,
preparatory to a trip in the interests
Of the Farmers union, in which he
is a leading member and officer.
"Crops are fne," said Mr.. Watson,
in response to a question. "Yes, sir,
in our county, the OK and the ass
will know where their masters crib
is this year, sure. I have never seen
the cotton in better condition and
there is plenty Of corn"
Mr.. Watson went on to say that
the labor conditions we're the only
drawback to the prosperity of the
farmers. He stated that the negroes
everywhere had heard Of Judge
Brawley's decision, and it had had its
effect in making them restless and
some Of them had jumped their con-
tracts, no longer being in fear Of i'm
prisonment.
"The thing to do is to repeal the
lien law, and any man who will ac-
complish that will serve his state
most signally," declared Mr.. Watson.
The Farmers, union has already pass
ed a resolution urging the legislature
to take this action, and a committee
has hcen appointed: termed tbe 'egis-
lative committee, which will come to
the legislature next winter and urge
this a':ion on the members: slong
with the advocacy Of other Legislation
which The Farmers union desires to
see enacted. Mr. Natstn is mcm-
hor' of +hiS comnittea Mr. Watson