Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1912-07-30
McLAURIN ON DECISION.
Will Write q Bill that Will Comply
With Constitution.

WIN
The following is from the Pee Dee
Advocate:
Fellow Citizens of Marlboro:
The supreme court has declared the
warehouse act, as passed by the last
legislature unconstitutional In writing
the opinion the chief justice expressly
holds, that the state can operate
warehouse system In protection of the
broad question forever, that We do not
need a constitutional amendment to
put our bill in operation. I have no
criticism whatever Of our court. We
now know exactly what Is the law, and
the other states will also know. The
court furthermore decided the impor-
tant question that the warehouse re-
ceipts ''in no respect whatever par
takes Of the characteristics Of script or
other evidences Of state Indebtedness"
In violation Section article 10.
The grounds upon which the act is
held unconstitutional is that the pro-
vision for bonds increases the state
debt. In my argument before the court
frankly admitted that this was an
open question. / did not think they
were state bonds, as they were spe-
cffic lien on the warehouse property,
bot W" " lIlc ucClSlOIl Ol OuT
The other ground was the appropri-
alton act, which included an appropri-
alton for 1913. These are mere baga-
telle, and am sure ! can prepare an
act which Is in entire conformity to the
decision Of the court. It is the only So
luton Of the cotton problem, and they
are now considering the plan In Geor-
gia and Texas. I hope South Carolina
will maintain her leadership in this
great movement. 1t Is not q rich mans
fight; II Is every mans fight, most es-
pecially the poor man who cannot pro-
tect himself, he needs government aid.
The rich man Is now holding his cot
ton. The poor tenant sold in October
and the man with established credit is
now selling cotton at thirteen cents q
pound.
It is the poor man who was forced
to sell, because he couldn't hold his
cotton, that Is bearing the brunt Of the
loss on this cotton crop. II we make a
big crop now and get a good price, 1t
will take 1t all to pay up the losses Of
1911. know because am farming my
self. I could hold my own cotton, but
my tenants could not do 1t, and was
unable to carry them all. Cotton sold
as low as six cents last fall. Some
sold in Bennettsville for 133 cents last
week. Here Is loss to South Caro-
lima Of at least thirty million dollars,
and 1t has not fallen on rich planters,
1t is mostly on the poor man least able
to understand and help 1t.
! would further remind the merchant
and banker, that the prosperity Of the
county depends on the surplus left af-
ter the payment Of debts, and that this
thirty million dollars, did not remain
in South Carolina, but Injured to the
profit OF the cotton kings, who have
their thrones in Philadelphia, New
York and Liverpool.
Fellow citizens, you who have toiled
a life time under present conditions, do
you see any end to It?
have no object except to aid you.
would say right now so as to disarm
ambitious politicians. that under no
circumstances, would ever accept an
Office. It would be in harmony with my
cause 1t may be that shall have to
make a fight for you, shall not shirk
the duty when 1t calls.
appeal to you to be careful In the
selection Of your representatives in the
general assembly. The warehouse act
will come before 1t again, and we want
"a square deal" No wolves in sheep
clothing" Put none but the tried and
true on guard.
Another thing. appeal to you not
to allow the Blease and Jones fight to
divide you in this county. It is not
worth 1t. Get good, honest, brainy
men, and whether they vote for one
or the other, let your votes depend on
tissues not men," Give each other room
for honest differences of opinion and
do not vote from prejudice or desire
to punish anybody. I trust you will
understand my motives. which are for
the good Of my county and state.
The cotton crop Of the south Is the
corner stone Of international finance.
The great money kings of New York.
use 1t to drain Europe Of its gold,
thereby maintaining the commercial
supremacy Of Wall Street and the
United States.
My friends we grow the cotton. 1t
passes out Of our hands, and enriches
every man that touches 1t, except the
producer. Haven't we the soul vision
and constructive craftsmanship In our
southland, to use this God-given mon
opoly to our own advantage?
Sincerely
Jno. Lowndes McLaurin.