The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-30

ed there was no politics in this organi-
zation. but realizing that the legisla-
ture alone could act, and that we
could accomplish nothing except with
the cooperation and assistance Of the
State government. the movement nat
urally drifted into politics. At the
same time there was a strong current
OF feeling looking towards reform in
political conditions. which were un-
healthy because Of great dissatisfac..
tion among the people, who believed
that there was a Ring" in the State,
In complete control of our politics
and disposed to ignore the common
people or masses. and to direct and
control affairs from headquarters in
Charleston and Columbia. The News
and Courier at that time under the
brilliant editorship of F.. w. Dawson,
was the leading newspaper in the
state, and, In way, the most potent
factor In our public affairs. This con-
-dition therefore resulted in a disor-
ganized movement, by the farmers to
control the Democratic State conven-
tion. which was to meet in July, 1885,
for the nomination of State officers.
Governor Thompson had resigned to
accept place in the treasury under
DIR. Cleveland. and Lieut.. Gov. j. c..
Sheppard had succeeded to the gov
ernor's office. and was naturally q
candidate to succeed himself as nomi-
nee of the Democratic convention. He
was opposed by the Hon. John p.
Richardson, who had been slated for
the place by the political clique
which we had come to consider as
the Ring"
The prominence into which had
sprung. by accident rather than de-
sign. caused those of my friends In
various parts of the State. who were
supporting my demand for technical
and Industrial education, to expect ME
to take leading part In the struggle
for the governors office. was en-
tirely green and wholly lacking in ex-
pcrience as a manager OF political
forces. but lent what support could
command to my former school fellow
and friend. J. c. Sheppard, q citizen
Of my own County Of Edgefield. He
In q way was as closely aligned with
what was called the Ring as Richard
son, and was so considered; but Rich
ardson opposed the Agricultural Col
lcge. while Sheppard promised to sup
Port the idea, and this. together with
his own popularity. gave him very
strong vote. but not enough to pre-
vent Richardson's success. and he wcs
nominated by the convention. The
Ring thus triumphed.
The Legislature which was elected
was also antagonistic to the separate
college icea. but the current OF feel
Ing was Sc strong that the politicians
who were In control Of our State at
fairs felt compelled to do something,
with the result that the State Univer-
s'ty was broadened to embraces an
agricultural and mechanical ,urse
the very thing which had advocated
at Bennettsville. and which had been
disdainfulIy rejected by the Influences
which controlled the Bennettsville
meeting.
The original land script fund de-
signed for agricultural and mechani-
cal education under Act of Congress
of 1852. had already been donated
cne-half to the South Carolina Uni
versity and the other half to the Claf-
lin University. and the Hatch fund of
fifteen thousand dollars. donated for
experimental purposes by the United
States. was also given to that College.
An officer OF the United States navy,
Lieut.. ]. r. Edwards. was detailed to
establish and teach the mechanical
course. His department was installed
In the large brick building southwest
OF the s. c. c. campus. known as
science hall. will say In passing
that Mr.. Edwards was very worthy
and competent man. and as far as
could be done. made fine start In
teaching the mechanic arts. but there
were none or few indications of any
change In the curriculum or develop
ment of the agricultural side In the
University Lands were purchased
for experiment south of the city and
two other experiment stations were
established. one at Spartanburg and
one at Darlington. The farmers ad-
vocated separate college. with one
experiment station at it. supported by
the TWENTY-FIVE cents tag tax on fer