Industry vs. Agriculture

Agriculture In SC, cotton continued to be the main crop. After the Civil War, most cotton was grown in the Up Country. Sharecropping was abundant. Normally the tenants of these agreements could never make enough money to get out of debt to the land owner.

Crop Liens Farmers experienced low cotton prices and high farm maintenance. For example: cotton sold for about $0.12 per pound while the price of farm equipment increased along with freight, storage, and seed cost. This lead to crop liens. Crop liens were basically a line of credit to store owners for the cash up front to buy materials needed. If the farmer didn’t repay his liens, often the farm would be lost to the store owner.

Crop Liens The farmer’s tenants often had their own line of credit called scripts. These scripts were given out to the tenants to buy food and clothing for their families when the farmer did not have the cash. The land owner/ farmer were responsible for these scripts as well.

Help for the Farmers? In 1867, an association of farmers began and this was referred to as the Grange. The Grange brought farmers and their families together for social activities, and allowed farmers to discuss what was important to their needs. They also worked together, among white and black farmers, towards common goals.

Benjamin Tillman

Ben Tillman Tillman was a self educated farmer who blamed the conservatives for the farmer’s problems. He also blamed farmers for being ignorant on how to farm and argued for some type of state education for farmers. He did not support South Carolina College, he thought it was a conservative “country club.”

Populists Party In 1892, farmers in SC joined other groups to form the “People’s Party.” This party called for changes in government to help and assist small farmers. Small farmers wanted a coined money supply of silver legalized. This way money would become easier to obtain, since there was more silver around than gold. The People’s Party also wanted for farmers to be able to obtain Federal Government loans for their farms and warehouses to store crops until prices increased.

Clemson College

Tillman wanted increased funding for agricultural education and experimental agricultural stations. In 1887, South Carolina College renamed itself the University of SC and rejected the idea of another state institution. In this same year, Thomas G. Clemson died. Clemson was the son in law of John C. Calhoun and lived at Fort Hill. In his will, he left a large amount of money, land, and Fort Hill to help begin an Agricultural School.

Clemson College After some debate, and with the leadership of Ben Tillman, the college opened in The name was: Clemson Agricultural and Mechanical College. The first building built was named “Tillman Hall.” Ben Tillman himself reminded people that he created the college, and often took verbal jabs at the University of South Carolina.

Winthrop Tillman also was influential in starting Winthrop University in Rock Hill. Private and public support was stronger for higher education than for public schools.

Lander University In 1872, Samuel Lander opened the Williamson Female Institute in Greenwood, SC. Now referred to as Lander University. Converse College, in Spartanburg, began in 1889.

Governor Tillman Although Tillman had been influential in SC politics, he was not in the legislature. However, in 1890, he ran for Governor and won. Tillman traveled throughout the state and campaigned for agricultural reform.

Governor Tillman In Tillman’s first speech as Gov. he stated: “The whites have absolute control of the State government, and we intend at any hazard to retain it.” He did however, encourage people to treat African Americans well and not badly. Tillman reformed education for teachers, higher taxes on railroads and banks, and better treatment of the mentally ill. He did not support prohibition.

Constitution of 1895 Tillman wanted a new constitution for the State. He believed the one in 1868 was forced upon the State. In 1895, he called for a convention, to write a new constitution. (He was a US Senator) He wanted the right to vote for blacks taken away. The new law stated that a poll tax must be paid to vote, and it must be paid six months in advance. The idea was that poor farmers and blacks would not pay the poll tax that early. Voters must be able to read. Divorce and lotteries were forbidden. However, the frame work of the Government Branches are still in use today.