The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-02

Last spring a campaign was con-
Quoted with considerable success to
induce the farmers of Sumter coun-
" to plant rice sufficient for home
needs. There was no effort made TO
inculcate the idea that rice could be
made money crop i'm this section.
@ut the best agricultural authorities
IN this section advised that rice
could be grown successfully on prac-
ncaily every farm In Sumter county,
I'm wet bottoms and we'll drained
branches. and that to thus produce
for home consumption would be a
profitable side line on a cotton farm.
"A great many farmers recognized the
reasonableness OF this suggestion and
planted small areas of rice. Unfor-
tunateiy the weather conditions last
summer were the most unfavorable
Tor rice that we have had for years
and few OF those who planted rice
succeeded inimoking crop-even
those who have always planted a
small patch for home use and have
uniformly made good crops failed last
year IL is to be regretted that the
attempt to grow rice for home con-
sumption received such a black eve
last year. but n failure one year
should not discourage PRACTICAL farm
ers who believe in the doctrine of
growing at home all the food crops
possible. Every argument advanced
last year In favor OF planting small
acreages In rice holds good this year
Rice Is one OF the staple and nee
essary articles OF food for the people
OF this county. Thousands of bush
els of louisiana and Texas rice are
shipped In and sold to Samter county
people every year and thousands OF
dollars OF Sumter county money go
out of the county every year to pay
Tor this one article of food. Sumter
county can produce all the rice the
people OF the county need and by
doing so money will be kept at home
and the freight cars required to
bring this rice 10 Sumter county will
be released for other service. With
plenty of rice and COW peas. and
reasonable amount OF hog meat and
corn bread. all OF which can be pro-
duced here. the food shortage that
Mr.. Hoover says threatens the South
need give us no concern.
Senator Tillman stated few DAYS
ago to newspaper correspondent i'm
Washington that he is positively in
the race for recollection to the SEN
ate. He also said that ne would not
make the county-t county campaign
of the State. but would remain In
Washington. attending to his business
as the representative OF the people OF
south Carolina. where he could be
most useful to the state and the ma
tion. This announcement ends the
speculation as TO whether or not
Tillman would be a candidate for re-
election. That question being settled,
tho next is. what are the people of
South Carolina going to do about IL?
Will they stand solidly hack OF Till
ma0 and give him another term In the
senate. or will they turn him down?
III Ia "a nNeafinp hnt
aSk himself and find the answer be-
tween now and the primary election.
III is not a question of factional poll
tics. upon which the political for
tunes OF this or that ofice-hunter
hinges, but serious and larger Is
sue. The man who Is sent to Wash
irgton TO represent this State I'm the
senate must be first of all a loyal and
patriotic American. whose American
Ism and loyalty is unquestioned and
above suspicion. but he must be n
true and tried Democrat who has and
viii continue To- work I'm harmony.
with the Democratic administration I'm
all It's plans to win the war for democ-
racy. As we have said heretofore. In
existing circumstances. Tillman is the
first choice for the place. PROVIDING
that his physical strength continues
equal TO the task. He has the OK
perience. the prestige and the position
as the head OF a great committee to
render service that no other citizen
OF South Carolina IL capable Of rem
dering at this time There are 9th
er men who are as loyal ana Whose