The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1920-02-05
APPROPRIATION FOR
COMBATING WEEv|L
URGED BY GOVERNOR IN SPEC
CIAL MESSAGE TO HOUSE.
Money to Be Used by Extension De-
partment of Clemson College
in Fight.

In t1SnC.
Columbia, Feb. 8 Governor
Cooper tonight transmitted special
message in which he urged that an
appropriation be made to the extern
sion department of Clemson College
to minimize the ravages of the boil
weeyil.
The Senate last Friday night short
'ly before adjournment, adopted con-
current resolution without dissent
| ing vote, pledging the vote Of the up
per body for an appropriation of
$150,000 for that purpose.
The text Of the Governors message
reads:
| Some days ago the Senate by a
resolution expressed itself as favoring
an appropriation Of $4,000 to be
used in combating the boil weevil
in this state. AS all revenue measures
must originate in the House of Rep
resentatives, address this message to
you and urge that you make an ap-
! preparation to minimize the effects Of
the cotton parasite. assume the sum
approved by the Senate is a proper
sum though l have not examined
closely into this phase Of the ques-
tion.
Do Not Close Eyes.
1T is not the part of wisdom to
close our eyes to a situation such as
that which now confronts us. We
know, from the experience of other
States, that the boil weeyil comes to
stay, and that radical changes in ag-
riculture are essential if direful re-
suits are to be avoided. Our only
chance to miss very serious economic
and social distress resulting, is to
conduct now systematic and compre-
hensive campaign of education. 1t will
be foolish of us if We do not heed the
advice which comes from sections
long since infested by the weevil, and
it will be inexcusable on our part IL
We do not profit by the experience Of
others. We must diversity our agri-
couture, otherwise the farmer, mer-
chant, banker and all others will be
called upon to suffer unwarranted
hardships, hardships that could, with
little foresight and preparation be
escaped.
"In this day of strangulation Of the
cotton grower We must turn to Glenn
son College and to other agencies for
assistance. Clemson is our most au-
thoritative scource Of agricultural in
formation, and the advice of that in
stitution Is that we procure the serv-
ices of experts to instruct us in mat
ters pertaining to the diversification,
and to growing cotton in spite Of the
weevil. l am willing, and 1 am sure
you are, to trust any necessary sum
to Clemson College to be expended
for the good of the state.
"At least ten counties are now Sc
riously infected, and should the pres
ent year be favorable to the weevil we
may expect damage as far north as
Columbia. The weevil will advance,
until finally the whole state is af-
fected. This has been the experience
in other states. There is no reason
for us to think ours will be a differ
ent experience.
Profit by Experience.
There is but one way for us to
prevent depreciation of land values,
the immigration of labor, reduction
OF labor, reduction of income, and the
general distress that have usually fol-
lowed in the wake of the weevil, and
: that is for us TO pursue an intelligent
course, based upon the experience OF
all infested states, and upon investi-
cation by numerous commissions and
agricultural specialists.
Money wisely expended for agri-
cultural legislation-for teaching our
farmers the best way to get the upper
hand of the weevil-will be money in
vested in an excellent cause. 1t would
be- terrible extravaganza on our part
Iif we should remain inactive in the
face of the threatened infestation OF
the state by the boil weevil. AS a
rule farmers in weevil areas have
planted one cotton crop too many and
then for year or more have floun-
dered about seeking to regain H.
Inancial poise. At last the farmers
have turned to diversification, have
done the thing which Clemson hopes
to teach us to do provided the neces-
sary money is appropriated.