The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1921-04-07
FARMERS MEET
AT ANDREWS
GOV. COOPER SEEKS INFORMA-
TION ON THE EFFECT OF
STOCK LAW

One of the largest gatherings of
farmers ever brought together at An
drews was there on Wednesday to
plead the effect the West Extension
bill, affecting the Stock Law as in
effect since November last.
Gov. Cooper was present to hear
the expressions of farmers from the
affected areas of Williamsburg and
Georgetown counties and to find, if
possible, what effect the passage or
vetoing of this measure would have.
The Governor appealed to the farmers
to give this information in a spirit
of frankness, stating that it was not
a matter of personal concern to him
whether they had stock law or free
range. He further stated that it was
not a question that could be settled
without causing loss to one con-
tending side or the other, but that the
purpose of his presence at the meet.
ing was to determine to which faction
the most damage would result by
either singing or vetoing the pending
act.
Governor Cooper also stated that
unless the vetoing of the West Ex-
tention bill would cause irreparable
damage to those contending for its
passage, then he would decide in favor
of those who had made preparation
10 meet the conditions brought about
by the passage of the recent Stock
Law, effective since November 1st
last.
Various statements were made pro
and con, one of the most striking OF
which was that of farmer in the
affected area who stated that he had
in good faith torn down his field
fences, built a pasture for his stock
and made preparation to meet the
conditions of the Stock Law he
stated that he and his family and five
other families were solely dependent
on his farm for livelihood. and that
the passage of the West Extension
bill would mean that he could not farm
this year and that its ratification
would impose a serious hardship on
himself and others who had placei
themselves in a like position in an ef-
fort to comply with the Stock Law
as recently passed and effective since
November. He also pointed out that
it would mean the loss of all fertih-
zers now placed in the soil in anti
cipation of growing a crop this year.
Other statements in behalf Of the
Stock Law were made, chief among
which was one to the effect that the
old fence dividing the free range and
Stock law territories had been mate.
rally disposed of and that it would
be impossible to replace this fence ir
time to protect the crops in former
Stock Law territory from the ravages
of free range stock.
On the other hand supporters OF the
West Extension bill daimed that at
present it would impose wanton sac
rifice of the stock Shey had been so
far unable to dispose of at anything
like a fair market price were they
forced to comply with the provisions
of the recent stock law; that sufficient
time had not been granted them to
make this disposition and that lack
of time and present conditions had
maze It impossible to comply with the
requirements of the recently enacted
Stock Law.
The area under discussion consists
of part cf Williamsburg county and
the whole of Georgetown county, to
which tie recently enacted Stock Law
became effective on November 1st,
last.
The Cove, nor left on the 500 p. n.
train for Columbia. where he is ex-
pected to render his decision In the
near f,ture.