Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-07-23
TOWN AND COUNTRY LANDLORD

Editor Yorkville Enquirer:
The above subject has been discuss
ed in my hearing practically ever
since l was old enough to remember
anything, and as a rule, has always
met with the expression that smacks
Of disapproval, except those directly
interested.
1t has long been my observation that
where you find an ideal rural commu-
nifty, you find the white landlord living
on his plantation, not a place contain
ing 500 to $500 acres; but generally
from SO. 80 and up to 200 acres.
Take, for instance, country school
district of about nine square miles,
which, as you know, contains $3.50
acres. Let so to go white families
own their different plantations with
in this district. Couple this with our
more modern way Of farming and you
will see, as a rule, community that
is prosperous-good roads, good
schools, the Sunday school second to
none, church attended regularly and
social features up to the standard.
Everybody will be on an equality-no
turning backs or heads, which is as
good as to say, You are nothing but
poor old farmer, far beneath my
notice, and l will not speak to you."
How often have I seen so-called
ladies avoid speaking or showing any
signs Of recognition to their poorer
sister neighbor in public. Think back
a few years. you so-called aristocratic-
leaning ladies and gentlemen, and re-
member how often you have snubbed
different dozens Of deserving, but poor
er people!
The big landlord, no matter whether
he lives on his plantation or in a
town, is entirely, as rule not as
generous or public spirited in proper
tion, as If his holdings were divided
up equally among a half dozen or
more white farmers. The negro ten
ant suits his taste better, and how lit
tie does he think how much trouble
his dusky tenant may give his poorer
white neighbor.
In my experience, about 60 per cent
of the negroes are unreliable as toI
word, act or anything else and about
the same per cent will steal, if given
the smallest chance. Besides, the
most Of them keep from one to four
worthless hounds, allowing them to
run at large all the time and make
their living from their white neigh
bor's hen nests, guinea nests, slop|
tub or some other place where they are
not wanted.
The crying need in most every Sec
tion Of York county, with which I am
more or less familiar, is more land
owners, smaller sized farms, worked
and controlled by the resident owner.
The big landlord, owning from 500
to 1000 acres or more, no matter IL he
lives on his plantation or in town, Is
most invariably a hindrance to the
community in which his farm Is 10
Gated. 1 could go further and say, in
lots Of instances that his farm Is a
menace to the community in which 1t
is located.
Land will never be cheap in York
county again. 1t has increased on the
market value from 100 to 500 per cent I
according to location, in the past Is
years. In some cases it has increased
1000 per cent during that period.
I know, personally, several farmers
who are now past the meridian Of life
and have been renters from the begin
ming of their career. The rent paid
by them would in the aggregate, buy
each one a handsome farm. They
know it, have known it all along, but
have failed to take advantage. They
have a chance yet. Every renter in
all Of York county has a chance to
own a farm Of his own. The chance
lies in the doubling Of energy, better
management. Cut out the loafing and
live at home.
In conclusion. I wish to say that l
have no particular individual in mind
in this discussion; but should there
be anyone who wishes to take ex-
ception, trust The Enquirer will give
them space in it's columns.
Wistar Keller.
Yorkville, R. F. D. 1, July 19, 1915.