Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1915-07-30
H FILBERT PICNIC.

to Columbia.
THE FILBERT PICNIC.
There was another great picnic at
Filbert yesterday, and when the day
was over it was conceded by all those
most directly interested, that the oc.
casion measured up fully with all the
interesting events that had gone be-
fore, not only in point of general at.
tendance; but in the prominence OF
the speakers, the interest and signii-
canoe Of the matters discussed, and in
other features.
There was a tremendous gathering
of people in attendance. They came
from CASTOR and adjoining counties
of North Carolina, from the country
Immediately surrounding, and from
all parts Of York county, and from
distant parts Of the state. AS to how
many were present is a matter Of es-
innate only. Congressman Finley put
his figures at $500. Former Govern
or Blease said between $500 and
1000. Congressman Lever thought
there must be between 1000 and
5000 in all, and Mr.. w. F. Stevenson
said he did not know, but 1t looked
to him like there must be between
1000 and 5000. Others made other
estimates; but non Of them fell be-
low 5000. AS compared with the
crowd Of last year some thought 1t
larger and others thought 1t smaller;
hrf oil Waro oOroad fhof from tho
standpoint Of attendance there was
little more to be desired.
The grounds presented somewhat
the appearance of q midway in the
number and variety Of the shows and
the like. There was a picture show,
a snake charmer," a merry-go-
round, and booths for the sale Of soft
drinks, ice cream, sandwiches, etc.,
and all Of these did good business
throughout the day.
There were large numbers Of wo-
men and children on the grounds, and
the behavior Of everybody was all
that could be desired. Several police
men were on duty, and all Of them
made themselves useful in helping
strangers with necessary information;
but If any were called upon to make
an arrest during the day, the reporter
did not learn Of the fact.
The principal attraction of the oc-
casion outside Of the general social in
terest, was the distinguished array Of
invited speakers in attendance. These
included former Governor Blease,
Hon. John L. McLaurin, Hon. A. F.
Lever, Hon. w. F. Stevenson, Hon. D.
E. Finley and Rev. Lacey Holt Of
Norfolk, Va. While at no time were
there more thar five or six hundred
people listening to the speakers, and
a part Of the time considerably less
than II hundred, the attention was
generally close and interested.
The principal feature Of the eco
nomic discussion was the general en-
dorsement Of the state warehouse
law. Mr.. Stevenson led the way along
the lines already laid down by Mr..
McLauIin, and MI. McLaurin accept
with approval. Mr.. Finley wanted as
many warehouses as could be had,
both state and independent, and want
ed to put a stop to substitution in in
dependent warehouses. Mr.. Lever
thought the state warehouse q good
thing, but seemed to be Of opinion that
his proposed Federal system would be
superior. Mr.. Blease "a for state rath-
er than Federal regulation Of ware
houses, because 1t was reasonably GER
tain that the Federal government
would not always be in hands friendly
to tho cotton producer. and the sys-
tenn might be used to the south's dis
advantage.
The audience was not quite as DEM
onstrative as some previous audiences
had been; but 1t was courteous and
considerate, as we'll as ap~preciative,
Of all the speakers. The committee
purposely held former Governor
Blease to the last, in order to hold
the crowd" and the result attested
the ex-governor's continued popular
ity. His many friends applauded him
frequently. not only when he scored
the national administration, but when
he denounced England and praised
Germany.
Hon. j. E. Beamguard, senator from
York county, presided yer the speak
ers' stand, and Mr.. A. ]. Barry, a
young ministerial student, opened the
exercises with an earnest, appropriate
prayer for Divine guidance and bless
ing.
Hon. w. F. Stevenson Of Chesterfield.
was introduced as the first speaker
and he held the interest Of his audience
for nearly an hour, mainly in a discus
sion Of the war situation Is 1t relates
to the price Of cotton. He commenced
his remarks with a clear n compre-
hensive review Of the conditions that
developed in the south on the breaking
out Of the war last August, told how
prices went to pieces, and how the
business and Industrial situation was
plunged into sudden decentralization
that seemed to threaten panic and ruin,
The new cotton crop was about ready
to sc on the market; but h spinners
suddenly quit buying, and there was
no way to borrow money for the rea
son that the local banks did not have
any, and there was no ean Of guar
anteeing local warehouse receipts In
such nj Is to make them negotia-
BILE abroad.
The situation, said Mr.. Stevenson,
was one which called for courageous
action on the part Of III chief execu-
tive, and the chief executive had the
courage to meet hat situation by call
ing an extra session Of the general as
sembly, the only thing to be done un-
der the circumstances. He went on to
say that the extra session Of the gener-
al assembly gave the problem by which
1t was confronted its most careful con-
s%ideration and its labors resulted in the
passage of the state warehouse law,
which law, though passed in a shape
that was not altogether satisfactory
alone fully justifles the action Of the
governor in calling the general assem-
bly, together, and is well worth the en-
tire cost Of the session. He said that
the warehouse bill was passed in the
face Of the most powerful opposition
that could be brought to bear, this OPP
position coming from the cotton buy
ers, the banks, and the cotton mills,
and other interests which saw the pos
sibility Of so much Of the profit they
are now getting out Of the handling of
the cotton crop being saved to the pro-
ducers thereof.
Next Mr.. Stevenson reviewed the
state bond proposition, which received
so much attention at the hands Of the
general assembly and which was SO
much discussed throughout the state
last october. He gave the full credit
for the idea to Mr.. ]. K. Henry of
Chester. Il did not think much Of the
proposition at first" he said, "but the
more l thought Of 1t, the more II APP
pealed to me, and when l give my ap-
prevail to any proposition l give it my
full support" He explained how the
bond proposition provided a means
whereby the state undertook to lend
the farmers 9 cents a pound on cotton
which was then bringing only a little
more than 6 cents, and how Ii was in