Brenham weekly banner. [volume] (Brenham, Tex.) 1877-1907, 1878-12-27
GRANGE MEETING.
The Cotton Weight Question
Discussed.

the Pomona Grange, was helc
on Saturday afternoon at the
Opera House. The question il
regard to the differences be
tween the warehousemen and
the cotton buyers of Brenham,
was freely discussed.
1t was suggested that an UNI
pire be appointed, who should
settle all matters of dispute in
regard to weights.
Capt. Williams bitterly op-
posed this arrangement stating
that estimating the crop at 3d.
900 bales at IS cents each
would amount to $500 to come
out of the farmers pockets
the buyers losing nothing as
they would make it up in the
price paid for cotton; all this to
satisfy the whims of the buyers;
the farmers desired nothing but
honest weights and had selected
Mr.. James A. Wilkins as their
warehousemen in whose honesty
and integrity they had every
confidence, and if buyers were
unwilling to accept Mr.. Wilkins
weights he, SO far as he was
personally concerned favored
shipping his own cotton to Gal
weston or other markets in pre-
ference to submitting to the
dictations of the buyers. He be-
lieved that the buyers so far as
he knew,were honest men, but if
there were any dishonest buy
ers in town he favored driving
them out OF business by refus-
ing to sell to them, but was will
ling to uphold honest weighers
and buyers believing them to
be an advantage to the city as
well as the producer. He clos
ed by suggesting that a commit
tee be appointed to investigate
this matter and report at next
meeting.
Capt. J. E. Grey said that the
proposition to appoint umpires
did not suit his ideas of bust
ness; did not feel disposed to
create more positions for more
middle men; it was only dodge
to deceive the farmer; believed
Mr., Wilkins an honest con-
scientious man, and was willing
to take his weights; was unwil-
ling to accede to any PROPOSE
ton which would not secure to
the farmer the full weight and
value of his cotton; thought the
demand for an umpire unjust,
dishonest and tyranical, and
therefore opposed it; was in ia
vor of a committee of investi-
cation.
DR.. Morris opposed the COM
mittee, stating that the facts
and propositions of the buyers
were before them and believed
that immediate action should be
taken; the question was on tare,
the matter of judgment was
the only trouble; the remedy
was the chief thing desired. He
stated that the buyers here were
controlled to considerable eX-
tent by the demands of the
spinners and did not think it
laid in the power of this grange
to combine against the demands
of the consumers; thought the
planters dependent to a very
considerable extent upon the
buyers and favored a satisfacto-
ty adjustment of the matter,
which could only be arrived at
by guaranteeing weights.
Mr.. Veazy in a Jew well
timed remarks favored the ap-
pointment Of a committee of
investigation.
Col. Lawther opposed the
further taxing,,of farmers for the
handling of cotton; believed
Wilkins throughly honest; fav-
ored the establishment of a
grange warehouse where farm
ers cotton could be stored and
such advances made as might
be necessary, and buyers be
invited here. He opposed the
appointment of umpires.
Mr.. L. A. Morris opposed any
compromise with the buyers
composing this combination,
but but favored the selling to
merchants and other buyers
who would take the cotton at
warehouse weights and pay bet