Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-10-09
Editorial Correspondence).

Future Dominant ldeas-The Ware
house Plan Also Takes Additional
Importance-Notes and Incidents.
Editorial Correspondence.
Columbia, October 81 came down
Monday night Tor the purpose OF wit
Messing the organization OF the extra
session Of the legislature, and by per-
sonal contact TO get an idea OF the
temper Of the members as to the situa-
ton, and possible remedies.
Contrasted with the opening of any
regular session l have ever attended,
the atmosphere yesterday and today
was rather different. In the case of a
regular session every member, old or
new, seems to be pretty we'll absorbed
in his ideas Of unfinished business he
desires to complete, or new business he
desires to take up. In the case Of this
extra session, nine out Of ten seemed to
be at sea. While all were united in
the conviction that there is very Sc
rious situation to contend with, the
problems that seemed to loom up big
gest are not only what should we do,
but what can we do?"
on the way down l talked to Senator
Beamguard and Representative Riddle,
Of the York delegation. Both had CIV
en- the subject much thought and both
were still thinking hard; but as to
what they could or would do, they did
not have any definite idea. Both real
lied that they understood the situation
best as it applied to York county and
that conditions in other parts Of the
state were very different. They were
Of opinion that compulsory acreage
reduction would be proper step, and
Mr.. Riddle was almost ready to vote
for complete elimination; but was still
open to such additional arguments as
might develop. Mr.. Halle also was
Mr.. Sanders and Mr.. Hutchison.
When the two houses were called to
order Tuesday, at noon, most Of the
members were in their seats; but the
great majority were in position OF
waiting for somebody else to start the
ball. The first thing after the organi-
Zation Of the two houses was the re-
ception Of the governors message.
This was a lengthy document Of over
a hundred pages. The greater part OF
it was devoted to a reproduction Of the
various campaign documents including
the different set speeches the governor
made last summer and a few pages re-
lating to the present emergency. The
message was not read in full in either
house; but parts Of II were referred to
the proper committees. No new bills
were introduced in the senate; but
quite a number were introduced in the
house, including acreage reduction, tax
extension and tax exemption bills. Mr.
Wyche of Spartanburg, introduced a
bill to put in effect that portion or the
governors message recommending re-
1; % g. hn; ofnr ottffnrarc nf Work.
and Laurens counties. There was no.
body in a humor to try TO go 10 WorR
yet.
After the adjournment OF the two
houses Tuesday afternoon, the activi-
ties Of the Southern Cotton congress
became noticeable. DR.. Wade Stack
house, the president, and Senator John
l.. McLaurin, had returned from New
Orleans, but Hon. w. F. Stevenson had
not yet gotten back from Texas. DR..
Stackhouse and Senator McLaurin had
become converts to the proposition to
totally eliminate the crop Of 1915, and
they began pushing that propaganda
According to the facts and figures In
hand, they urged that so per cent re-
duction of next years crop would still
leave surplus equal to the require
ments of 1915, and there could be no
VI duy dpPiCSioptS A~Nc'NAJ
values for years to come. The only
thing to do therefore, would be to cut
out cotton entirely. They argued that
this could entail no hardship for other
wise cotton would have no value any
way. 1t was interesting to watch the
results Of these arguments. Members,
especially from the big cotton growing
counties, who were all in favor OF
heavy reduction, would at first seem
shocked, but pretty soon they would
Weld to the new doctrine and join the
missionary work.
There was wonderful crystalization
of total elimination sentiment during
congress on Tuesday. The mem
by no means unanimous. There Is a
large element of the general assembly
that does not appear to be at all stir
red. 1t is not disposed to allow itself
to be excited. 1t is inclined to think
that there is nothing to be done, the
best thing is not to try to do anything.
AS to the extent Of this sentiment, 1t Is
not practicable to estimate. 1t may or
may not be in majority.
There was a meeting Of the Cotton
congress on Wednesday. The mem
bers talked the matter over at lunch :
con in the Jefferson hotel. President
Stackhouse presented the total elimi-
nation proposition in a clear and
strong speech. Others talked on the
subject, and upon vote the idea was
endorsed q to 2. The two who voted
no, explained that they preferred to
remain non -committal. Also resolu-
ton was unanimously adopted thank
ing the governor for his action in call
ing an extra session for the relief OF
the farmers and commencing MS cour-
age. The chair appointed commit
tee consisting Of P. l.. Hardin, John l..
McLaurin, S. G. Mayfeld and w. A.
Sturkey to present the resolution. The
committee discharged its commission
on Wednesday afternoon, Senator
Hardin making an appropriate speech.
In reply Governor Blease said: i am
here as the servant Of the people. We
have had differences in matters polltl-
cal and otherwise; but that is all be-
hind us now. l do not know whether
ANYTHING can be done or not; but from
the bottom of my heart | earnestly
hope that something can be done, and
assure you that it is up to you gentle
men. Do whatever you think Is neces-
sary and you will have the support OF
this office as far as lies in my power.
In the senate on Wednesday morn
ing. there developed an effort to go into
an election for judge Of the Fifth
circuit. Judge Ramage is now holding
this position by appointment OF the
governor, and it is generally under
stood that Speaker Smith is slated for
the place, largely as reward for SER
vices rendered in the last campaign.
That is a common opinion. 1t is sug-
gested that while there can be no ques-
ton of the election Of Mr.. Smith at
this time, if the general assembly can
be induced to take the matter up, II II
is postponed to the regular session 10
be made up so largely Of members VINO
do not know Mr.. Smith, the matter
will be subject to some doubt. Senator
Clifton of Sumter, who retires from
the senate at the close OF the present
extra session, made strong speech In
opposition to going into an election at
this time. He said that there was no
emergency involved, and there was no
good reason for taking the matter up.
The senate agreed with Mr.. Clifton.
Hon. w. +. Stevenson returned from
Texas. Wednesday morning. He was
in considerable demand. The members
of the Cotton congress were anxious to
get his counsel and cooperation in the
total elimination proposition. There
was a general feeling that whatever
attitude he might take would have
great influence on the situation; and
there was a disposition to go slow un-