The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-09-23

MANNING, S. c., SEPT. q, 1914.
PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY
EXTRA SESSION cANEoT GIVE RELIEF.
The governor has called the
General Assembly in extraordi-
nary session to provide for an
emergency confronting the peo-
ple. Governor Blease, il max.
ing this call, is aetuated by the
most patriotic motives, we be,
lieve. When he issued his proc
lamation there existed an alarm.
ing condition, the outlook was
gloomy indeed, but since then
there is a rift in the lowering
clouds, and we believe a brighter
day IS approaching. The cotton
mills are beginning to run. and
If there is any reliance to be
placed IN the reports in the daily
newspapers. it viii not be long
before mills viii, not only be
running ON full time, but in many
instances over time; thus, there
VIII be q demand for cotton, the
product npon which SO much de-
pends, and, as the demand
grows the price viii advance ac-
cordingly, so We think Il the
masses VIII take a more opamis.
tic view of things, all will fare
better. The sbuy-a- bale" move.
ment has done some good, but
we are not so sure that the price
offered is sufficiently remunara.
i've for those who raised the
product TO become very enShnsi-
astic; IN some counties we note
the ten cent proposition is be-
ing rejected. But regardless OF
whether or not ten cents per
rs5N
pound IS a fair price for the
staple, the slme IS at hand when
she people should lay aside
selfshness, and seek to ind a
means TO help each other.
tits onr opinion nothing can
be accomplished by legislation;
ne have given this matter aa.'h'
thought, We have read uial3 of
the suggestions that have been
published in the newspapers,
but nothing that we have read
has appealed TO our mind as q
practical solution OF the problem
confronting the people, nor do
ne think the problem can be
solved BY an Act of the General
Assembly. It is clear to our mind
that ga stay law" !" even Il it be
constitutional, would be q dang
erons policy for the State. We
de not think snch a law would
be constitutional because, it has
algays been our understanding
that no lawmaking body can
enact q law which will have the
effect Of abrogating q CONTRACTS
already made and a debt already
scontracsed is beyond the reach
sof the legislature.
Then too, the question whica
IS being agitated By many, the
cnrtailment Of the cotton acre
age. is another impossibility in
onr opinion, so far as legislation
is concerned; the farmers, if
they so desire, can agree among
themselves. to curtail the plant
ing Of cotton. but We do not be-
lieYe the general assembly can
force such q requirement any
more 50 than it can require the
merchant TO curtail his stock Of
merchandise. This is . free
country, and no legislature can
deprive q man of his right to.
make q livelihood, true. many
things can be done IN emergen..
4cies, for the preservation of
health, property can BY law be
destroyed. but We do not regard
she present condition in the
same light as we would pesti-
ience, therefore, We do not think
conditions justly the people be.
coming panic stricken, and We
believe the conVening Of the
general assembly will have
rather ademoralizing effect upon
"a large element who have been
led to think that the panacea for